Excellent
#49 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 1% in state
Garden City EL
Elementary School · GLASSCOCK COUNTY ISD
P O BOX 9, Garden City, TX 79739
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Garden City
#1 of 2
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#36 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 2
GLASSCOCK COUNTY ISD
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Garden City EL
Garden City Elementary is a small public school in Garden City, Texas, serving students from Pre-K through grade 5. With just 130 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.1 to 1, every child gets consistent adult attention — a structural advantage that shows clearly in the outcomes. Those outcomes are exceptional.
Garden City El earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, with academic performance at 8.8 and a growth score of 9.4 — signaling a faculty that actively moves students forward rather than coasting on incoming ability. The school ranks 36th among 4,678 elementary schools in Texas, placing it in the top 1 percent of all 8,547 public schools statewide. That is a position very few schools anywhere in the state can claim, and the data is consistent across both achievement and year-over-year improvement measures.
Garden City El holds the top spot among the two public schools serving the community, and the statewide rankings make that standing concrete rather than local reputation. For families considering a smaller Texas school, this one offers something difficult to argue with: independently ranked evidence that tight class sizes and strong instruction can produce results at the very highest level.
What's said publicly about Garden City EL
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 130 students, Garden City EL is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, Garden City EL offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Garden City 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
Garden City EL — Students at Garden City EL score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Garden City EL Compares
See how Garden City EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 9, Garden City, TX 79739
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garden City EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. STANTON EL (rated 8.9/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Stanton), with a comparable rating. Another option is WASHINGTON EL (rated 8.3/10, 26.4 miles away, in nearby Big Spring), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GOLIAD EL (rated 7.4/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Big Spring), a more accessible option. For more schools in Garden City, see our Garden City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GARDEN CITY H S Garden City | 0.0 mi | 7.7 |
| FORSAN EL Forsan | 18.1 mi | 5.2 |
| FORSAN H S Forsan | 18.3 mi | 7.4 |
| MARCY EL Big Spring | 24.1 mi | 5.1 |
| KENTWOOD EL Big Spring | 25.3 mi | 6.1 |
| NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BIG SPRING Big Spring | 25.5 mi | — |
| BIG SPRING INT Big Spring | 25.6 mi | 7.8 |
| GOLIAD EL Big Spring | 25.7 mi | 7.4 |
| RUNNELS ACADEMY Big Spring | 26.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BIG SPRING H S Big Spring | 26.3 mi | 6.0 |
| WASHINGTON EL Big Spring | 26.4 mi | 8.3 |
| BIG SPRING J H Big Spring | 26.6 mi | 7.8 |
| MOSS EL Big Spring | 27.1 mi | 5.0 |
| STANTON EL Stanton | 25.7 mi | 8.9 |
| STANTON MIDDLE Stanton | 25.7 mi | 8.2 |
| STANTON H S Stanton | 26.2 mi | 7.3 |
| GREENWOOD INT Midland | 26.3 mi | 5.8 |
| JAMES R BROOKS MIDDLE Midland | 26.3 mi | 7.8 |
| GREENWOOD H S Midland | 26.4 mi | 6.7 |
| GREENWOOD EL Midland | 26.6 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79739 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,906
Median Home Value
$237,800
Population
862
College Educated
43.8%
Homeownership
60.9%
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garden City EL has a median household income of $118,906. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,800. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HERITAGE ACADEMY OF WINDCREST Windcrest, TX | 9.3 |
| SAVOY EL Savoy, TX | 9.3 |
| VEGA EL Vega, TX | 9.3 |
| DEW SCHOOL Teague, TX | 9.4 |
| GOLDEN RULE Dallas, TX | 9.4 |
| SCHOOL FOR THE HIGHLY GIFTED Grand Prairie, TX | 9.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garden City EL
What grades does Garden City EL serve?
Garden City EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Garden City EL?
Garden City EL has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garden City EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Garden City EL is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garden City EL rank in TX?
Garden City EL is ranked #49 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Garden City EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Garden City EL has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Garden City EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garden City EL has 72.0% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garden City EL a charter school?
No, Garden City EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garden City EL a Title I school?
No, Garden City EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garden City EL?
4.6% of students at Garden City 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 130
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 4.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Glasscock County
- Phone
- (432) 242-1022
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GLASSCOCK COUNTY ISD- District Enrollment
- 292
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $49,156
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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.