Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 76018

This analysis examines six elementary schools in zip code 76018 of Arlington, Texas, serving predominantly Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade, within a community where an average of 80% of students are economically disadvantaged.

Bryant Elementary stands out as the highest-performing school, consistently exceeding district and often state averages in Reading and Math despite serving a 77.71% economically disadvantaged population. In contrast, Manara Stem Academy - Arlington is the lowest-performing school, with alarmingly low proficiency rates (e.g., 5% in 3rd-grade Math) and a reported dropout rate, despite having the lowest free/reduced lunch percentage (70.48%) and lowest per-student spending ($7,526). Bebensee Elementary shows a notable strength in its Spanish-language STAAR program, with 5th-grade Reading Spanish proficiency (55.56%) far exceeding district and state averages for Spanish tests. The two charter schools, Trinity Basin Preparatory - Arlington and Manara Stem Academy, rank as the two lowest in the area, challenging assumptions about charter school superiority. Williams Elementary has the highest per-student spending ($10,162) but ranks near the bottom in performance, while FitzGerald Elementary shows a declining trend from the 50th to 36th percentile.

Key metrics reveal a systemic achievement gap, with average 5th-grade Math proficiency across these schools at approximately 30.2% versus the state average of 46.24%. Student-teacher ratios are relatively low (average 14.5:1), but performance does not directly correlate with spending or class size. The Arlington Independent School District (Isd) oversees four of these schools, while Trinity Basin Preparatory and Manara Academy operate as separate charter districts. Overall, Bryant Elementary is the clear standout for parents seeking strong academic performance in a challenging environment, while the other schools show significant variability and room for improvement.