Excellent
#683 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 8% in state
Norman M Thomas EL
Elementary School · FREER ISD
P O BOX 240, Freer, TX 78357
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Freer
#1 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#378 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 3
FREER ISD
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Norman M Thomas EL
Norman M Thomas EL is a public elementary school in Freer, TX, part of the FREER ISD. The school serves approximately 355 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92nd percentile among TX schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 35% proficiency in math and 27% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,968, where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Norman M Thomas 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
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Data not available for this school
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Norman M Thomas EL — Students at Norman M Thomas EL score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.1%
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: 9.7/10.
How Norman M Thomas EL Compares
See how Norman M Thomas EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 240, Freer, TX 78357
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Norman M Thomas EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COLLINS-PARR EL (rated 7.9/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a comparable rating. Another option is OILTON EL (rated 5.0/10, 35.5 miles away, in nearby Bruni), a more accessible option. Additionally, BENAVIDES EL (rated 4.8/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Benavides), a more accessible option. For more schools in Freer, see our Freer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
14 within 44.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FREER H S Freer | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| LUCY ARAGON J H Freer | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| BENAVIDES SECONDARY Benavides | 22.6 mi | 7.2 |
| BENAVIDES EL Benavides | 22.9 mi | 4.8 |
| BERNARDA JAIME J H San Diego | 24.2 mi | 7.7 |
| SAN DIEGO H S San Diego | 24.2 mi | 6.3 |
| COLLINS-PARR EL San Diego | 24.5 mi | 7.9 |
| BRUNI H S Bruni | 33.3 mi | 5.3 |
| JJAEP Bruni | 33.4 mi | — |
| BRUNI MIDDLE Bruni | 33.5 mi | 8.5 |
| OILTON EL Bruni | 35.5 mi | 5.0 |
| GEORGE WEST H S George West | 43.8 mi | 7.3 |
| GEORGE WEST EL George West | 43.9 mi | 8.7 |
| GEORGE WEST J H George West | 44.0 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78357 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,968
Median Home Value
$115,400
Median Rent
$733/mo
Population
2,726
College Educated
11.3%
Homeownership
69%
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Norman M Thomas EL has a median household income of $60,968. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,400, with a median rent of $733/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABERNATHY EL Abernathy, TX | 8.3 |
| ANN WHITNEY EL Hamilton, TX | 8.3 |
| BROOKHOLLOW EL Lufkin, TX | 8.3 |
| CENTRAL EL Palacios, TX | 8.3 |
| COUPLAND EL Coupland, TX | 8.3 |
| DUNBAR PRI Lufkin, TX | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Norman M Thomas EL
What grades does Norman M Thomas EL serve?
Norman M Thomas EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Norman M Thomas EL?
Norman M Thomas EL has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Norman M Thomas EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Norman M Thomas EL is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Norman M Thomas EL rank in TX?
Norman M Thomas EL is ranked #683 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Norman M Thomas EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Norman M Thomas EL has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Norman M Thomas EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norman M Thomas EL has 34.5% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Norman M Thomas EL a charter school?
No, Norman M Thomas EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Norman M Thomas EL a Title I school?
No, Norman M Thomas EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Norman M Thomas EL?
85.1% of students at Norman M Thomas 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Duval County
- Phone
- (361) 394-6025
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FREER ISD- District Enrollment
- 706
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,500
- District Rank
- #1 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
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