Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in Dallas, TX (zip code 75236), serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6th, which include a mix of traditional public and charter schools serving a predominantly low-income population.
Ume Preparatory Academy is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star state rating and ranking in the 85th percentile among Texas districts. It significantly outperforms the other two schools and often exceeds state averages, particularly in upper-grade math and reading. Notably, Ume Prep achieves these results with the lowest per-student spending ($7,297) and a higher student-teacher ratio (18.4:1). In contrast, James R Bilhartz Junior Elementary is the lowest-performing school, with a 0-star rating and ranking in the 9th percentile. Despite having the highest per-student spending ($11,054) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.2:1), its test scores are consistently well below both state and Duncanville Independent School District (Isd) averages, indicating that resource allocation and instructional strategy are more impactful than spending alone. La Academia De Estrellas is a middle-performing school with a 2-star rating, but it shows a remarkable strength in 4th-grade mathematics, where 69.32% of students were proficient compared to the state average of 49.28%.
A key takeaway is that science is a universal weakness across all three schools, with 5th-grade scores falling below the state average. Additionally, James R Bilhartz Junior Elementary consistently underperforms its own district, suggesting school-specific challenges beyond district-wide issues. For parents, Ume Preparatory Academy offers the strongest academic outcomes, while La Academia De Estrellas provides a notable math program for 4th graders, and James R Bilhartz Junior Elementary faces significant academic challenges despite higher spending.
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