Timber Lakes Elementary

Timber Lakes Elementary in New Caney, TX, serves 947 students from Pre-K through 6th grade and is part of the Splendora Independent School District (Isd). After years of ranking in the bottom 15-20% of Texas elementary schools, the school has achieved a remarkable turnaround, jumping to the 50th percentile in the 2025-2026 school year and earning a 3-star rating for the first time. This dramatic improvement makes it the highest-ranked school in its district and now outperforms several nearby schools in the higher-ranked Conroe Independent School District (Isd), including Creighton Elementary, Milam Elementary, and Hope Elementary.

The school’s success is driven by strong performance in 5th-grade math, where 60.53% of students achieved proficiency—the highest rate among all nearby schools and well above the state average of 47.38%. Timber Lakes has also shown exceptional progress with specific student groups, including male, African American, Hispanic, and special education students, all of whom now perform above the state average. Additionally, the school’s Spanish-language program stands out, with 4th graders scoring 75% proficient in reading and 66.67% in math, far exceeding district and state averages. However, 5th-grade science remains a challenge, with only 14.04% of students proficient, a common issue among nearby schools like Peach Creek Elementary and Piney Woods Elementary.

While the overall turnaround is impressive, white students at Timber Lakes have not seen the same level of improvement, ranking in the 37th percentile—still below the state average. The school’s free/reduced lunch population also dropped significantly from 64.71% to 43.72%, the lowest rate among nearby schools, which may reflect changes in the local community. For parents, Timber Lakes represents a school that has defied district-level trends and is now a strong option in the area, though continued focus on science and supporting all student groups will be key to sustaining its upward trajectory.