Best Public Schools in Zip Code 75644

Zip code 75644 in Gilmer, Texas, is served by six schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, split between two very different districts: the high-performing Gilmer Independent School District (Isd) and the struggling Union Hill Independent School District (Isd).

The most important takeaway for parents is the stark performance gap between these two neighboring districts. Gilmer High School is a standout for its consistent, above-average performance across all core subjects, earning a 4-star rating. Its middle school, Bruce J H, is an "Algebra I powerhouse," with 92.86% of students proficient in that advanced course, though its general 8th-grade math proficiency is much lower at 33.75%. In contrast, Union Hill High School boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, yet its students score far below state averages on college-readiness exams, suggesting a focus on diplomas over academic preparedness. Sharon A Richardson Elementary shows extreme year-over-year volatility—3rd-grade math swung from 0% to 75% proficiency—likely due to its very small student population of 141.

All six schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 56.74% at Union Hill High School to 76.1% at Gilmer Elementary. Spending per student varies widely, from $9,588 at Sharon A Richardson Elementary to $17,025 at Union Hill High School, yet higher spending does not correlate with higher test scores. Student-teacher ratios are low across the board (11.8:1 to 15.4:1), indicating smaller class sizes. Overall, parents in this zip code face a clear choice: the consistently strong Gilmer Independent School District (Isd) or the smaller, more volatile Union Hill Independent School District (Isd), which excels at graduation but struggles with academic benchmarks.