Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools in zip code 78332 (Alice, TX), serving grades Pre-K through 5th (with one school extending to 6th), and highlights key differences for parents navigating school choices in this high-poverty area.
The standout school is Schallert Elementary, which consistently earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 22% of Texas elementary schools, despite having the highest student-to-teacher ratio (24.1:1) and the lowest poverty rate in the group (83.78% free/reduced lunch). In contrast, Noonan Elementary is the lowest-performing school, with a 1-star rating and scores consistently below district and state averages. Saenz Elementary shows strong improvement, jumping from the 49th to the 61st percentile over three years, while Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Elementary (part of Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd)) offers the most favorable student-to-teacher ratio (12.2:1) and is the only school to exceed the state average in 5th Grade Science (39.29% proficient). Dubose Elementary has the highest poverty rate (95.03%) and struggles academically.
A key takeaway is that socioeconomic status does not determine performance: Schallert Elementary thrives despite high poverty, while Saenz Elementary outperforms schools with similar poverty levels. However, a district-wide science crisis is evident, as the four Alice Independent School District (Isd) schools scored roughly half the state average in 5th Grade Science (14.1% to 18.75% proficient). Parents should also note inconsistent grade-level performance across schools, such as Saenz Elementary’s 54-point gap in math proficiency between 4th and 5th graders, suggesting variable teaching quality or cohort effects.
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