Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 77304

This analysis examines four elementary schools in zip code 77304 (Conroe, TX), serving grades PK-5 across two districts: Willis Independent School District (Isd) and Conroe Independent School District (Isd).

Eddie Ruth Lagway Elementary stands out as the top performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 74th percentile statewide—far ahead of its peers. It is the only school in the zip code that consistently exceeds both district and state averages. In contrast, Rice Elementary faces the greatest challenges, with a 2-star rating and the lowest test scores. Reaves Elementary and Giesinger Elementary fall in the middle, both earning 3 stars. Notably, while Conroe ISD ranks higher overall (75th percentile) than Willis ISD (34th percentile), the top school belongs to the lower-ranked district, showing that individual school performance can differ greatly from district reputation.

A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results. Reaves and Rice spend the most per student ($10,294 and $10,071, respectively) yet have the lowest performance, likely because those funds support a higher-needs population—Reaves has the smallest class sizes (12.4:1 student-teacher ratio) and the highest poverty rate (79.17% free/reduced lunch). Meanwhile, Lagway has the lowest poverty rate (39.15%) and the highest scores. Another interesting trend is the volatile Spanish-language test scores at Reaves, where 4th graders in 2024-2025 dramatically outperformed state averages, only to drop the following year—highlighting the importance of looking at multi-year data rather than a single snapshot.