Excellent
#50 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 1% in state
Iola EL
Elementary School · IOLA ISD
P O BOX 159, Iola, TX 77861
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iola
#1 of 2
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#37 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 2
IOLA ISD
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Iola EL
Iola El earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — placing it among the strongest elementary schools in Texas. The school serves 294 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade and ranks 37th out of 4,678 Texas elementary schools, a result that puts it in the top 1% of elementary campuses statewide. Academic scores reach 8.9 out of 10, but growth is where Iola El truly separates itself from peers.
A 9.6 growth score signals that students here consistently advance well beyond expected gains year over year. When measured against all 8,547 public schools in Texas — not just elementary campuses — the school ranks 50th overall, outperforming 99% of schools in the state. That kind of cross-level standing is rare for a small elementary campus.
A student-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1 keeps classes small, giving every teacher more direct time with each student. For families in Iola, this school is the top-ranked campus in town. Its combination of strong academic achievement and exceptional growth makes it one of the most effective elementary schools operating anywhere in Texas.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Iola 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
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Iola EL — Students at Iola EL score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
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
↑ 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: 9.6/10.
How Iola EL Compares
See how Iola EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 159, Iola, TX 77861
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Iola EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MADISONVILLE INT (rated 8.8/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Madisonville), with a comparable rating. Another option is SAM HOUSTON EL (rated 8.3/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Bryan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NORMANGEE EL (rated 7.5/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Normangee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Iola, see our Iola schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IOLA H S Iola | 0.0 mi | 4.6 |
| STILL CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryan | 8.5 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTH ZULCH ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY North Zulch | 10.5 mi | 8.7 |
| MADISONVILLE H S Madisonville | 15.7 mi | 8.5 |
| SAM HOUSTON EL Bryan | 15.0 mi | 8.3 |
| MADISONVILLE J H Madisonville | 16.1 mi | 8.8 |
| MADISONVILLE INT Madisonville | 16.1 mi | 8.8 |
| MADISONVILLE EL Madisonville | 16.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ALTON BOWEN EL Bryan | 15.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ALLEN ACADEMY Bryan | 15.9 mi | 8.0 |
| NORMANGEE EL Normangee | 18.2 mi | 7.5 |
| NORMANGEE H S Normangee | 18.2 mi | 8.2 |
| NORMANGEE MIDDLE Normangee | 18.2 mi | 7.3 |
| OAKWELL ACADEMY College Station | 16.6 mi | 3.6 |
| PEBBLE CREEK EL College Station | 17.9 mi | 6.5 |
| MITCHELL EL Bryan | 16.7 mi | 7.1 |
| JOHNSON EL Bryan | 17.2 mi | 7.2 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF COLLEGE STATION College Station | 18.2 mi | — |
| JAMES EARL RUDDER H S Bryan | 17.0 mi | 6.9 |
| ILTEXAS AGGIELAND H S Richardson | 17.8 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77861 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,857
Median Home Value
$260,400
Median Rent
$1,146/mo
Population
2,785
College Educated
27.7%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
37.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Iola EL has a median household income of $67,857. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,400, with a median rent of $1,146/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| J B STEPHENS EL Bangs, TX | 9.3 |
| JESS HARBEN EL Richardson, TX | 9.3 |
| OLIVER EL Stamford, TX | 9.3 |
| PANHANDLE EL Panhandle, TX | 9.3 |
| RUSK EL Rusk, TX | 9.3 |
| SAVOY EL Savoy, TX | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Iola EL
What grades does Iola EL serve?
Iola EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Iola EL?
Iola EL has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Iola EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Iola EL is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Iola EL rank in TX?
Iola EL is ranked #50 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Iola EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Iola 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 Iola EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Iola EL has 59.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Iola EL a charter school?
No, Iola EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Iola EL a Title I school?
No, Iola EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Iola EL?
39.8% of students at Iola 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
- 294
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Grimes County
- Phone
- (936) 394-2361
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
IOLA ISD- District Enrollment
- 610
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,037
- 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
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