Summary:
The seven elementary schools in zip code 76513 (Belton, TX) serve grades K-5 (with Nolan Creek School extending to 7th grade) and are primarily part of the Belton Independent School District (ISD), with Nolan Creek being a charter school under the Orenda Charter School district. These schools span a wide performance spectrum, from top-tier to struggling, with a clear link between socioeconomic factors and academic outcomes.
Lakewood Elementary is the standout top performer, consistently ranking in the top 10-11% of Texas elementary schools and earning a 5-star rating, with STAAR scores far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Southwest Elementary and Hubbard Branch Elementary are the lowest-ranked, sitting in the 8th and 9th percentiles respectively, with test scores well below benchmarks. A notable success story is Chisholm Trail Elementary, which jumped from the 29th to the 54th percentile in two years, showing strong improvement in math and reading proficiency. Other schools like Sparta Elementary (67th percentile) and Leon Heights Elementary (51st percentile) perform near the middle of the pack.
Key takeaways include a stark achievement gap tied to poverty: Lakewood has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (18.71%) and highest performance, while Southwest (81.93%) and Hubbard Branch (66.34%) have the highest rates and lowest scores. Interestingly, higher per-student spending does not guarantee success—Southwest and Leon Heights spend the most but rank low, while Lakewood spends modestly. Chisholm Trail’s rapid turnaround offers a model for improvement, while Nolan Creek’s small enrollment (109 students) leads to volatile test scores. Overall, parents should consider each school’s trajectory and support systems, as the data shows that targeted interventions can overcome socioeconomic challenges.
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