Shepherd Intermediate

Shepherd Intermediate in Shepherd, TX, is a public school serving around 400 students in grades 3 through 5 within the Shepherd Independent School District (Isd), located in a small, rural community where over 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has faced significant academic challenges, consistently scoring below state averages on STAAR exams and ranking in the 21st percentile statewide, placing it among the lower-performing schools in the area.

Compared to nearby schools, Shepherd Intermediate shows a mixed picture. It ranks lower than Tarkington Elementary (28th percentile) and Coldspring Intermediate (25th percentile), but outperforms some schools in the Cleveland Independent School District (Isd), like Southside Elementary (8th percentile). A notable comparison is Goodrich Elementary, just 8.5 miles away, which serves a student body with even higher economic disadvantage (over 92%) yet achieves significantly better results, ranking in the 32nd percentile. This shows that high poverty does not have to limit success, and Goodrich provides a local example of what is possible.

Despite overall struggles, there are some bright spots. The school has shown improvement from a very low point in 2018-2019, plateauing in the 16th-21st percentile range in recent years. Math instruction, particularly in 5th grade, is a relative strength, with scores close to the state average, and 4th grade math actually exceeded the state average in 2024-2025. The school earns 2 stars for its low socio-economic status and gifted and talented students, but 1 star for male, female, Hispanic, and special education students. This suggests that while challenges remain, there are areas of progress and potential to build upon, especially in math.