Summary:
This analysis examines seven elementary schools in the 76116 zip code of Fort Worth, Texas, serving grades PK-5 primarily within the Fort Worth Independent School District (Isd), with one charter school, Idea Rise Academy, operating under Idea Public Schools.
The standout performer is Ridglea Hills Elementary, the only school with a 3-star rating and the lowest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (52.7% free/reduced lunch). It consistently meets state averages in reading and math. In stark contrast, Western Hills Elementary faces the greatest challenges, with a 0-star rating, a 97.6% free/reduced lunch rate, and critically low test scores, including just 1.14% proficiency in 5th-grade science. Waverly Park Elementary sits in the middle, with a 76.68% free/reduced lunch rate and mid-range performance. The charter school, Idea Rise Academy, spends the most per student ($12,590) but ranks in the 3rd percentile statewide, challenging the assumption that charter schools automatically outperform district schools. M L Phillips Elementary shows a positive trend, jumping from the 2nd to the 31st percentile, while Idea Rise Academy has declined sharply from the 35th to the 3rd percentile.
A key takeaway is the strong link between poverty and performance: schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates generally score lower. The average free/reduced lunch rate across all seven schools is 84.3%, indicating widespread economic disadvantage. Science is a universal weakness, with even top-performing Ridglea Hills Elementary achieving only 22.73% proficiency in 5th-grade science, below the state average. This data highlights the significant disparities within the same district, where Ridglea Hills Elementary and Western Hills Elementary represent two very different academic realities.
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