Summary:
In zip code 76114 (Fort Worth, TX), three elementary schools—Castleberry Elementary, A V Cato Elementary, and Joy James Academy Of Leadership—serve grades PK-5 within the Castleberry Independent School District (Isd), a district ranked in the 29th percentile statewide. All three schools face significant challenges, with over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, but they show notable differences in performance and resource use.
A V Cato Elementary stands out as the top performer, earning a 3-star rating (54th percentile) in 2025-2026 despite having the highest poverty rate (94.79%). It is the only school to exceed the state average in any subject, notably achieving 63.24% proficiency in 5th Grade Reading. In contrast, Joy James Academy Of Leadership is the lowest-ranked, with a 1-star rating (24th percentile) and declining performance over three years, despite spending $12,732 per student—over $2,800 more than its peers. Castleberry Elementary falls in the middle, with a 2-star rating (44th percentile) and the largest enrollment (754 students).
A key finding is the spending vs. performance paradox at Joy James Academy, where higher per-student spending does not translate to better outcomes. However, all three schools excel in Spanish-language reading tests, significantly outperforming state averages in 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR Spanish, indicating strong bilingual programs. Mathematics remains a consistent weakness district-wide, with no school exceeding 50% proficiency in any math grade level, highlighting a need for targeted math support.
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