Summary
Simms Elementary is a K-5 school in Texas City, TX, serving 482 students within the Texas City Independent School District (Isd), where about 88% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has a history of very low academic performance, ranking in the 7th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year, which places it among the lowest-performing elementary schools in the area. This is a stark contrast to nearby Heights Elementary, which serves a similar percentage of economically disadvantaged students but ranks in the 96th percentile, with proficiency rates three to four times higher in most subjects.
One of the most telling metrics is the school's spending per student, which is relatively high at $13,992, yet this investment has not translated into strong academic outcomes. For example, in 3rd grade reading, only 22.73% of Simms students were proficient, compared to the district average of 42.89% and the state average of 51.08%. Similarly, 4th grade math proficiency was just 25.88%, far below the district (44.62%) and state (49.28%) averages. However, there is a notable bright spot: 5th grade reading proficiency reached 47.83%, which is above the district average of 44.64%, suggesting a potential area of strength or a successful intervention for older students.
Science is a critical weakness, with only 15.94% of 5th graders proficient in 2024-2025, far below the state average of 29.57%. The school's performance varies by student group, with relatively better outcomes for African American students (21st percentile) compared to the overall school rank. The high spending with low returns points to a need for a financial and programmatic audit to understand why resources are not yielding better results. For parents, this school presents significant challenges in core subjects, though the 5th grade reading scores offer a glimmer of hope that targeted efforts can make a difference.
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