Average
#3230 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 38% in state
Bland EL
Elementary School · BLAND ISD
P O BOX 216, Merit, TX 75458
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merit
#2 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#1,614 of 4,678
In district
#2 of 3
BLAND ISD
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Bland EL
Bland Elementary, located in Merit, Texas, is a rural elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 394 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, Bland EL provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The school boasts a dedicated teaching staff with 31 full-time equivalent teachers.
Bland Elementary excels academically, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #2146 out of 8598 schools in Texas (75th percentile). Students perform well on standardized tests, with 57% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 62% proficient or above in Math. While the school has room for academic growth, it continues to focus on student development and success.
Bland Elementary is situated in a rural setting where close-knit community ties foster a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bland EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bland EL — Students at Bland EL score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.7/10.
How Bland EL Compares
See how Bland EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2021).
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 8.8/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Caddo Mills), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLUE RIDGE EL (rated 8.4/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Blue Ridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CELESTE EL (rated 7.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Celeste), with a very similar rating. 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 | 9.0 |
| BLAND H S Merit | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| KI CHARTER - FARMERSVILLE Farmersville | 5.3 mi | — |
| CELESTE H S Celeste | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CELESTE EL Celeste | 6.4 mi | 7.1 |
| CELESTE J H Celeste | 6.5 mi | 9.4 |
| FARMERSVILLE INT Farmersville | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| TATUM EL Farmersville | 6.4 mi | 4.6 |
| FARMERSVILLE H S Farmersville | 6.7 mi | 5.5 |
| FARMERSVILLE J H Farmersville | 6.7 mi | 6.5 |
| CADDO MILLS MIDDLE Caddo Mills | 10.0 mi | 6.9 |
| FRANCES AND JEANNETTE LEE EL Caddo Mills | 10.3 mi | 8.8 |
| CADDO MILLS INT Caddo Mills | 10.6 mi | 6.1 |
| BLUE RIDGE MIDDLE Blue Ridge | 9.7 mi | 8.4 |
| L P WATERS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Greenville | 9.7 mi | 5.6 |
| BLUE RIDGE H S Blue Ridge | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| BLUE RIDGE EL Blue Ridge | 9.9 mi | 8.4 |
| CARVER EL Greenville | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| GREENVILLE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Greenville | 10.2 mi | 4.3 |
| LEONARD EL Leonard | 11.7 mi | 6.6 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A B MCBAY EL Mexia, TX | 6.8 |
| ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Beaumont, TX | 6.8 |
| ANDREWS EL Austin, TX | 6.8 |
| BATY EL Austin, TX | 6.8 |
| BISHOP ARTS STEAM ACADEMY Dallas, TX | 6.8 |
| BRIDGEPORT EL Bridgeport, TX | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #3230 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Bland EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Bland EL has a composite rating of 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bland EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bland EL has 62.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (576/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (903) 776-2239
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.