Summary:
In zip code 75803 (Palestine, TX), there are three elementary schools serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade, split between two very different school districts: Westwood Independent School District (Isd) and Neches Independent School District (Isd).
Neches Elementary is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide. It serves 195 students from PK through 6th grade with a low student-to-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 and a free/reduced lunch rate of 55.38%. Academically, Neches outperforms the other schools significantly, with 59.9% of 3rd-5th graders proficient in Reading and 38.9% in Math on STAAR tests. In contrast, Westwood Elementary (grades 3-6, 404 students) and Westwood Pri (PK-2, 378 students) both received 0-star ratings, ranking in the bottom 5% of Texas districts. Westwood Elementary's 3rd-5th grade Reading proficiency is just 34.7%, and Math proficiency is 28.9%, while 5th grade Science proficiency is only 19.05% compared to Neches' 30%.
A key finding is that spending does not equal results: Westwood schools spend more per student ($11,253-$11,679) than Neches ($10,832), yet achieve far lower outcomes. The Westwood schools also serve a higher-need population, with free/reduced lunch rates of 80.69% and 84.13%, compared to Neches' 55.38%. Additionally, Westwood ISD's state ranking has declined from the 26th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 10th percentile in 2025-2026, while Neches ISD remains stable and high-performing. The performance gap is stark: in 4th grade Math, Neches scored 65.71% proficient versus Westwood's 29.41%, a difference of over 36 percentage points. For parents, Neches Elementary offers smaller classes and stronger academics, while Westwood schools face significant challenges with larger classes and higher poverty rates.
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