Summary:
This analysis examines eight elementary schools in Odessa, Texas (zip code 79761), serving grades Pre-K through 6, all part of the Ector County Independent School District (Isd), which holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 33rd percentile statewide.
The schools in this zip code present a dramatic range in academic performance. The standout is El Magnet At Reagan Elementary, a top-tier school ranking in the 99th percentile with a 5-star rating, where over 90% of students are proficient in Reading and Math. Another strong performer is El Magnet At Hays, also a 5-star school in the 94th percentile, consistently outperforming district and state averages by wide margins. In stark contrast, El Magnet At Blackshear, Dowling Elementary, and Gonzales Elementary rank in the bottom 26th percentile or lower, with proficiency rates often in the 20-30% range. The "Magnet" label is not a reliable indicator of success, as El Magnet At Milam Elementary performs in the middle of the pack (51st percentile), while Austin Montessori Magnet and Lamar Early Ee-Kg serve early grades without comparable test scores.
Key metrics reveal a wide disparity in resources and demographics. The average free/reduced lunch rate is 69.5%, ranging from 43.21% at Reagan to 92.17% at Blackshear. Spending per student averages $11,238, but the highest-spending school, Lamar Early Ee-Kg ($16,280), has no test scores, while Gonzales Elementary spends $12,603 yet is one of the lowest-performing. This shows that higher spending does not guarantee better results. The student-teacher ratio averages 21.5:1, with Milam having the lowest at 16.8:1 and Lamar the highest at 27.7:1. Ultimately, a family in this zip code can choose between a nationally competitive school like Reagan or a school struggling to meet basic standards, highlighting a significant challenge for the district in ensuring equitable opportunities.
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