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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,406

Iola EL — Students at Iola EL score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
52%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in TX
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (681/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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