Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools (PK-4) in zip code 76033, serving the Cleburne Independent School District (Isd), a district ranked in the 40th percentile statewide with significant economic diversity, as indicated by free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 50% to 85%.
Gerard Elementary stands out as the top academic performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 82nd percentile—the highest in the area—while serving a relatively moderate 50% free/reduced lunch population. In contrast, Cooke Elementary is a high-poverty overachiever: despite an 85% free/reduced lunch rate, it has surged to the 62nd percentile and outperforms district and state averages in 3rd and 4th grade Reading. Marti Elementary is the most improved, jumping from the 20th to the 61st percentile in two years, with 4th-grade Math (60.56%) and Reading (57.75%) now well above state averages. Coleman Elementary also improved, reaching the 64th percentile, but its growth was less dramatic than Marti's.
A key takeaway is that poverty does not determine success: Cooke’s strong results, despite its high needs, suggest effective instructional strategies, particularly in early literacy. Interestingly, Gerard achieves top scores with the lowest per-student spending ($9,084) and highest student-teacher ratio (14.8:1), while Cooke spends the most ($10,101) and has the smallest class sizes (12.9:1), reflecting necessary investments to overcome socioeconomic barriers. Math remains a district-wide weakness, with only Gerard and Marti’s 4th graders exceeding state averages. Cooke also runs a notable bilingual program, with Spanish STAAR scores consistently beating district and state benchmarks.
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