Summary:
This analysis examines seven elementary schools in the 75503 zip code of Texarkana, Texas, serving Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade across three school districts: Pleasant Grove Independent School District (Isd), Texarkana Independent School District (Isd), and Red Lick Independent School District (Isd).
The standout school is Martha & Josh Morriss Math & Engineering Elementary, a magnet school ranking in the top 1% of Texas elementary schools with 100% proficiency in 5th-grade math. Red Lick Elementary is also exceptional, ranking in the 99th percentile with a low student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 and the lowest per-student spending ($8,128). Pleasant Grove Intermediate is a solid mid-range performer, consistently ranking in the 73rd-79th percentile. In contrast, Highland Park Elementary and Spring Lake Park Elementary are the most challenged, ranking in the bottom 5% of Texas elementary schools with proficiency rates often below 20% in core subjects. Waggoner Creek Elementary falls in the mid-range (39th percentile), while Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary serves as a feeder to Pleasant Grove Intermediate.
Key takeaways include a stark performance gap within Texarkana ISD, where the magnet school excels while neighborhood schools struggle. Socioeconomic status is a powerful predictor, with schools having high free/reduced lunch rates (Highland Park at 95%, Spring Lake Park at 90%) showing the lowest test scores. Spending does not guarantee success, as Red Lick achieves top results with the lowest spending, while Waggoner Creek spends the most ($11,640) but is only mid-range. The feeder school dynamic is evident, with Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary building a strong foundation for Pleasant Grove Intermediate.
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