Summary:
The schools in zip code 78621 (Elgin, TX) are part of the Elgin Independent School District (Isd), which serves approximately 8 schools from elementary through high school in a community facing significant socioeconomic challenges, with over 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Within this district, Neidig Elementary stands out as the top performer, ranking in the 31st percentile statewide and earning 2 stars—the highest rating in the district. It is the only school where 4th-grade Reading scores exceeded the state average. In contrast, Phoenix High School serves as an alternative campus for at-risk students, with only 50 students and a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, but it has the lowest metrics, including a 67.1% graduation rate and near-zero test scores. The main high school, Elgin High School, is the largest with 1,771 students and shows mixed results: a strong 92.2% graduation rate but critically low proficiency in Algebra I (5%) and English I (32.4%). Among elementary schools, Booker T Washington Elementary has the highest poverty rate at 88.24%, while Harvest Ridge Elementary struggles with 0% proficiency in Spanish Reading for 3rd and 4th grade.
A key takeaway is the "Algebra I Wall," where only 5% of Elgin High students are proficient, rooted in low elementary and middle school math scores (e.g., 2.63% proficient in 7th-grade math). The district's high graduation rate (92.2%) contrasts sharply with low academic proficiency, suggesting a focus on completion over competency. Neidig Elementary's success, particularly in Spanish Reading (45.45% proficient vs. 21.8% state average), shows that effective strategies exist and could be replicated. Per-student spending ranges from $8,613 at Elgin Intermediate to $11,597 at Phoenix High, but does not correlate with higher performance, highlighting the need for targeted instructional improvements across the district.
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