Summary:
In zip code 76302 (Wichita Falls, TX), there are two elementary schools—Southern Hills Elementary and Fain Elementary—both serving grades PK through 5 as part of the Wichita Falls Independent School District (Isd), which is ranked in the 35th percentile among Texas districts.
Fain Elementary stands out as the stronger school in this area. It holds a 33rd percentile state ranking (2 stars) for 2025-2026, a significant improvement from its 13th percentile ranking just two years prior. In contrast, Southern Hills Elementary ranks in the 15th percentile (1 star) and has remained in the bottom 15% of Texas elementary schools. Academically, Fain outperforms Southern Hills in nearly every subject, with average Reading proficiency at 48.5% versus 35.4%, and 5th-grade Science proficiency at 16.67% compared to just 9.2%. However, both schools struggle significantly in Math, with nearly identical average proficiency rates around 34%, well below the state average.
A key finding is the spending paradox: Southern Hills Elementary spends $12,503 per student—$2,039 more than Fain Elementary’s $10,464—yet achieves lower academic results. This suggests Fain operates more efficiently despite a higher student-teacher ratio (18:1 vs. 16.8:1). Additionally, Fain has a lower percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (66.98%) compared to Southern Hills (82.73%), which correlates with its better outcomes. For parents, Fain Elementary offers a clear upward trajectory and stronger performance, while Southern Hills may need to re-evaluate its strategies to improve student achievement.
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