Summary:
Zip code 75682 (New London, TX) is served by two elementary schools, West Rusk Elementary (Pre-K through 2nd grade) and West Rusk Intermediate (3rd through 5th grade), both part of the West Rusk County Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), which holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 47th percentile statewide.
Both schools face significant socioeconomic challenges, with over 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. They are nearly identical in size (216 and 215 students) and maintain favorable student-teacher ratios (12.1:1 and 12.8:1). Per-student spending is slightly above the state average, at $11,393 for the Elementary school and $11,834 for the Intermediate school. However, academic performance at West Rusk Intermediate—the only school with available test scores—is a major concern. The school ranks in the 13th percentile statewide (1 star) and consistently scores well below state averages in both Reading and Mathematics across all tested grades (3-5).
The most alarming finding is a "math crisis," with only 15.58% of 5th graders proficient in math compared to the state average of 47.38%. Reading performance also declines as students get older, with 3rd graders (47.69% proficient) closest to the state average but 5th graders dropping to 36.84%. The only relative bright spot is 5th Grade Science, where the school nearly matched the state average in the 2024-2025 school year. The combination of high spending, low student-teacher ratios, and very low academic outcomes suggests that the district's challenges are deeply tied to poverty and the need for targeted interventions, likely beginning in the foundational years at West Rusk Elementary.
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