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Excellent

#991 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 12% in state

Bland EL

Elementary School · BLAND ISD

P O BOX 216, Merit, TX 75458

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#991 of 8,552

In Merit

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

BLAND ISD

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Bland EL

8.3/10

Elementary School in Merit · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bland Middle

8.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bland H S

8.6/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bland EL

Bland EL is a public elementary school in Merit, TX, part of BLAND ISD. Bland EL serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Bland EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #991 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Bland EL show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.1 pts above TX schools
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Bland EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,195
Chronic Absenteeism9.9%

Bland EL — Students at Bland EL score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 74.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 73.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
55.4%
ELA
56.5%
2024
Math
52%
ELA
60%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How Bland EL Compares

See how Bland EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in TX
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 216, Merit, TX 75458

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bland EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRANCES AND JEANNETTE LEE EL (rated 8.2/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Caddo Mills), with a very similar rating. Another option is BLUE RIDGE EL (rated 7.8/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Blue Ridge), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LEONARD EL (rated 6.1/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Leonard), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merit, see our Merit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
BLAND MIDDLE Merit 0.0 mi 8.1
BLAND H S Merit 1.6 mi 8.6
KI CHARTER - FARMERSVILLE Farmersville 5.3 mi
CELESTE H S Celeste 6.2 mi 8.0
CELESTE EL Celeste 6.4 mi 5.0
CELESTE J H Celeste 6.5 mi 6.6
FARMERSVILLE INT Farmersville 6.1 mi 5.3
TATUM EL Farmersville 6.4 mi 5.3
FARMERSVILLE H S Farmersville 6.7 mi 6.9
FARMERSVILLE J H Farmersville 6.7 mi 6.4
CADDO MILLS MIDDLE Caddo Mills 10.0 mi 7.6
FRANCES AND JEANNETTE LEE EL Caddo Mills 10.3 mi 8.2
CADDO MILLS INT Caddo Mills 10.6 mi 6.8
BLUE RIDGE MIDDLE Blue Ridge 9.7 mi 6.7
L P WATERS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Greenville 9.7 mi 3.4
BLUE RIDGE H S Blue Ridge 9.8 mi 6.9
BLUE RIDGE EL Blue Ridge 9.9 mi 7.8
CARVER EL Greenville 9.9 mi 3.7
GREENVILLE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Greenville 10.2 mi 2.6
LEONARD EL Leonard 11.7 mi 6.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston, TX 8.3
ANNIE SIMS EL Mount Pleasant, TX 8.3
BLANCA E SANCHEZ Mcallen, TX 8.3
BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY Longview, TX 8.3
CANYON RIDGE EL San Antonio, TX 8.3
CLARK EL Laredo, TX 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bland EL

What grades does Bland EL serve?

Bland EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bland EL?

Bland EL has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bland EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Bland EL is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bland EL rank in TX?

Bland EL ranks #991 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Bland EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Bland EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bland EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bland EL has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bland EL a charter school?

No, Bland EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bland EL a Title I school?

No, Bland EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bland EL?

71.8% of students at Bland EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hunt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

District

BLAND ISD
District Enrollment
794
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,195
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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