Summary:
There are five elementary schools serving grades PK-4 in the 77354 zip code of Magnolia, Texas, all part of the highly-rated Magnolia Independent School District (Isd).
Bear Branch Elementary stands out as the top performer, consistently earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide. It has the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.3) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch (29.45%), which correlates with its highest average reading (74%) and math (68%) proficiency scores. Cedric C Smith is a strong second, also earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 92nd percentile, despite having the highest poverty rate (57%) in the area—a testament to its effective teaching. Tom R Ellisor Elementary is the most improved school, jumping from the 66th to the 83rd percentile over two years. Audubon Elementary and Magnolia Parkway Elementary round out the group with 4-star ratings and rankings in the 80th and 82nd percentiles, respectively.
A key takeaway is that math proficiency lags behind reading across all schools, with the largest gap at Audubon Elementary. Per-student spending is nearly identical across schools (around $10,500), indicating that performance differences stem from factors like instruction quality and school culture rather than funding. Additionally, Spanish-language STAAR test scores at Cedric C Smith and Magnolia Parkway are significantly lower than the general population, highlighting a need for targeted support for English Language Learners.
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