Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in zip code 75766 (Jacksonville, TX), serving grades PK through 4 as part of the Jacksonville Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the bottom 13% of Texas districts.
Joe Wright Elementary is the standout performer, ranking in the 49th percentile statewide—far ahead of its peers. It is the only school in the group to approach state averages in 4th Grade Reading (49.35% vs. state 53.04%) and 4th Grade Math (47.62% vs. state 49.28%). Joe Wright also boasts the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.9) and the highest spending per student ($11,007), and it uniquely runs a highly effective bilingual program where Spanish STAAR Reading scores exceed state averages. In contrast, East Side Elementary has experienced a dramatic decline, falling from the 50th percentile to the 14th percentile over two years. Fred Douglass and West Side Elementary consistently score lowest, with West Side ranking in the 12th percentile and having the highest poverty rate (96.33%).
Key metrics show all schools face high economic disadvantage, with free/reduced lunch rates above 80%. Joe Wright’s success despite a 94.49% poverty rate proves that high-poverty schools can achieve strong results, making it a critical case study. However, the entire district struggles, with all four schools falling 10-20 percentage points below state averages in every English-language STAAR subject. Parents should note that while Joe Wright offers a clear academic advantage, the other three schools require careful consideration of their specific challenges and declining trends.
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