Summary:
This analysis examines seven elementary schools serving grades PK-5 in zip code 76117, which covers Haltom City and part of Fort Worth, Texas, and includes schools from Birdville Independent School District (Isd), Idea Public Schools, and Fort Worth Independent School District (Isd).
The standout school in this area is David E Smith Elementary, which is the only school to earn a 3-star rating, ranking in the 53rd percentile statewide. It consistently outperforms district and state averages in 3rd and 4th grade English Reading and Math. However, the most dramatic story is Natha Howell Elementary, which jumped from the 28th to the 56th percentile in just two years, making it the most improved school in the zip code. This is especially notable because Natha Howell also has the highest economic need, with nearly 96% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, and the highest per-student spending at $12,677. In contrast, the five Birdville ISD schools—including Cheney Hills Elementary, West Birdville Elementary, O H Stowe Elementary, Birdville Elementary, and David E Smith—have a median percentile rank of just 28, underperforming their district's overall standing. Idea Achieve Academy ranks the lowest, in the 15th percentile.
A key finding is the effectiveness of bilingual programs, as schools like West Birdville and Cheney Hills significantly outperform state and district averages on Spanish-language STAAR tests in early grades. However, a concerning "5th grade slump" in Math is evident across multiple schools, with proficiency rates dropping sharply from 3rd to 5th grade. Overall, the average free/reduced lunch rate across all schools is a very high 83.27%, and no school demonstrates consistent high performance across all subjects and grades, indicating systemic challenges despite pockets of excellence.
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