Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools in Dallas, TX, zip code 75235, serving Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade (with one extending to 8th grade), where the vast majority of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The standout school in the area is Biomedical Preparatory At Ut Southwestern, which earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 96th percentile statewide, with test scores often exceeding state averages by 20-30 percentage points. In contrast, Uplift Williams Prep Ps, a charter school under Uplift Education, is the lowest-performing school in the zip code, ranking in the 2nd percentile with the worst student-teacher ratio (18.1:1). Among traditional public schools in Dallas Independent School District (Isd), Maple Lawn Elementary stands out as the highest-ranked, earning a 3-star rating and 63rd percentile, driven by exceptional performance on STAAR Spanish exams where 82.61% of 5th graders were proficient. Meanwhile, Obadiah Knight Elementary shows a troubling decline, dropping from the 71st percentile to the 24th percentile, and has the highest free/reduced lunch rate at 98.21%.
Key findings reveal that higher spending per student does not guarantee better outcomes—Montessori Academy At Onesimo Hernandez Elementary spends the most ($13,822) but is not the top performer, while Biomedical Preparatory has no spending data available. A notable trend is the "bilingual boost," where students taking STAAR Spanish exams consistently outperform their English-testing peers, suggesting effective bilingual programs. However, a systemic weakness exists in 5th Grade Science, with all schools scoring well below the state average of 29.57%, indicating a need for district-wide improvement in science education.
Thank you for your feedback!