Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 77536

This analysis examines six elementary schools in the 77536 zip code, serving grades PK-5 in the Deer Park and La Porte areas of Texas, split between the Deer Park Independent School District (Isd) and the La Porte Independent School District (Isd).

For parents, the standout schools are Heritage Elementary and College Park Elementary in La Porte ISD, both earning 4-star ratings. Heritage Elementary is the top performer overall, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide with dramatic recent growth, while College Park Elementary achieves strong results despite having the highest percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (62%). In Deer Park ISD, Deer Park Elementary is a model of consistency, maintaining a 4-star rating for three years with the lowest poverty rate (36%) and lowest per-student spending ($9,552), suggesting exceptional efficiency. In contrast, Carpenter Elementary is a school of concern, earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 38th percentile, with declining performance. San Jacinto Elementary and Jp Dabbs Elementary fall in the middle, with 3-star ratings.

Key takeaways include a notable "5th Grade Math Slump" across most schools, where math proficiency drops significantly from 4th to 5th grade, and a data anomaly where all schools reported scores for a non-existent 6th-grade math exam. Importantly, higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes—Deer Park Elementary spends the least but performs best, while Jp Dabbs Elementary spends the most ($12,166) but earns only 3 stars. Overall, La Porte ISD shows more consistent high performance across its two schools, while Deer Park ISD has a wider range, from top-tier to struggling.