Summary
Sundown Elementary is a small, rural PK-5 school in Sundown, TX, serving 231 students as part of the top-performing Sundown Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide. This school stands out as a consistent academic powerhouse, holding a 5-star rating for five consecutive years and ranking in the 95th percentile or higher in three of the last four years, with a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.3:1 that allows for significant individualized attention.
The most striking differentiator is the academic performance gap between Sundown Elementary and nearby schools in the Levelland Independent School District (Isd). While Sundown ranks in the 95th percentile with a 5-star rating, neighboring schools like Levelland Academic Beginnings Center, Capitol Elementary, and South Elementary rank in the 9th to 49th percentile with 0 to 2-star ratings. In reading, Sundown’s proficiency rates (62% to 83%) are nearly double those of nearby schools (31% to 43%), and in mathematics, the gap is even more pronounced—Sundown’s rates (81% to 91%) are 2 to 8 times higher. For example, in 3rd Grade Math, Sundown scored 82.76% proficient, while South Elementary scored just 10.94%.
Sundown Elementary excels at serving all student groups, ranking in the top 10% of the state for White, Hispanic, Low Socio-Economic Status, and Special Education students, which shows the school’s strategies are effectively closing achievement gaps. The school invests roughly 30% more per student ($14,428) than nearby Levelland schools, and its low student-to-teacher ratio is 30-40% lower than peers. While 5th Grade Science scores have historically been lower, they improved from 38.46% to 50% proficiency in the last year, still outperforming the state average of 29.57%. This small school’s big investment model is clearly working, making it a significant educational asset for the Sundown community.
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