Summary:
In zip code 79081, there is one elementary school, Gus Birdwell Elementary, serving grades PK through 5 in Spearman, Texas, as part of the Spearman Independent School District (Isd).
Gus Birdwell Elementary stands out for its consistent 4-star rating over the past three years, despite serving a student body where 66.47% qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has shown a strong upward trend in its state ranking, moving from the 70th percentile to the 80th percentile before a slight dip back to the 70th percentile. A key strength is its very favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, which is significantly lower than the national average and suggests students receive more individualized attention. The school also demonstrates resource efficiency, spending $11,744 per student, slightly below the Texas state average, while achieving strong academic outcomes.
Academically, the school excels in 5th Grade Mathematics, with 69.23% of students proficient in the 2025-2026 school year, outperforming the state average by nearly 22 percentage points. Fifth Grade Science is also a hidden strength, with 39.53% proficient compared to the state average of 29.57%. However, there is a notable contrast between grade levels: 5th graders significantly outperform the state in both Reading and Math, while 4th graders underperform in both subjects, particularly in Reading where only 42.5% are proficient versus the state average of 53.04%. This suggests a potential area for curriculum improvement in the 4th grade, while the 5th grade team appears highly effective. Overall, the school shows resilience and effective teaching strategies, particularly in math and science, making it a solid choice for families in the area.
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