Summary:
Zip code 76518 is served by a single school, Buckholts School, a small, rural, alternative public school within the Buckholts Independent School District (Isd) that serves grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of just 112 students.
Buckholts School presents a compelling paradox for parents. On one hand, it excels in creating a supportive environment, boasting a very low student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, a perfect 100% graduation rate, and a 0% dropout rate for the 2023-2024 school year. This suggests strong, individualized attention and a focus on keeping students on track to graduate. However, this high level of support does not translate into strong academic performance on state standardized tests. In the most recent 2025-2026 STAAR data, the school significantly underperformed state averages in every subject and grade level. For example, mathematics proficiency was 0% for 3rd, 5th, and 8th graders, and end-of-course exam proficiency ranged from just 10% in English I to 46.15% in English II, compared to state averages of 55% and 60% respectively.
The key takeaway for parents is the stark disconnect between the school's ability to graduate students and its students' academic proficiency. While 81.25% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high-needs population, the school's per-student spending of $15,164 (2020-2021) is notable. The data suggests Buckholts School may prioritize social-emotional support and graduation over rigorous test preparation, leading to high graduation rates but low test scores. Parents should consider whether their child would benefit more from the small, supportive environment that ensures graduation, or if they require a school with a stronger track record of meeting state academic standards.
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