Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 75755 zip code (Big Sandy, TX): Big Sandy Elementary, Harmony Elementary, and Harmony Intermediate, which serve students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade across two distinct districts: Big Sandy Independent School District (Isd) and Harmony Independent School District (Isd).
Harmony ISD schools consistently outperform Big Sandy Elementary in most academic metrics. Harmony Intermediate stands out as the highest-performing school, earning a 4-star rating and a 79th percentile state rank, with the lowest student-teacher ratio (8:1) and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (52.42%). Its 4th and 5th graders achieved strong Reading scores (68.42% and 74.24%), both well above state averages. Harmony Elementary excels in 3rd-grade Math, with a 59.21% proficiency rate that far exceeds the state average (44.88%). In contrast, Big Sandy Elementary shows significant volatility, dropping from a 63rd percentile rank in 2024-2025 to the 18th percentile in 2025-2026, despite having the highest per-student spending ($10,174).
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as Big Sandy Elementary's spending is highest but its performance is lowest. However, a bright spot is that both districts' 5th graders significantly outperform the state average in Science, with Big Sandy Elementary (46%) and Harmony Intermediate (42.42%) both exceeding the state's 29.57% proficiency rate. Additionally, Big Sandy Elementary's 5th-grade Reading score (76%) was the highest in the area, suggesting a potential strong cohort or teacher. The dramatic decline at Big Sandy Elementary warrants immediate investigation, while Harmony ISD's consistent performance points to effective district-level strategies.
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