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Excellent

#52 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 1% in state

Panhandle EL

Elementary School · PANHANDLE ISD

P O BOX 1030, Panhandle, TX 79068

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Panhandle

#1 of 3

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#38 of 4,678

In district

#1 of 3

PANHANDLE ISD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Panhandle EL

Panhandle El is a public elementary school serving 293 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Panhandle, Texas. With a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — it ranks 52nd among 8,547 public schools across the state, outperforming 99% of Texas schools. That standing reflects consistent, measurable results across both academic achievement and student growth, not a single strong metric carrying the rest.

The school's academic score of 9.4/10 shows students performing well above grade-level expectations. Its growth score of 9.7/10 is even stronger, indicating students make learning gains that significantly exceed projected trajectories year over year. A 13.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio supports that momentum — fewer students per classroom means more instructional contact and faster feedback for each child.

Among the 4,678 elementary schools in Texas, Panhandle El ranks 38th — a position that demands elite scores across multiple measures, not just one standout category. It also holds the top spot among all three public schools in Panhandle. For families evaluating elementary options in the region, the data is straightforward: this school delivers outcomes that almost no elementary program in the state can match.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Panhandle 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 Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,703

Panhandle EL — Students at Panhandle EL score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
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
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%

* 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 Panhandle EL Compares

See how Panhandle EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in TX
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

P O BOX 1030, Panhandle, TX 79068

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Panhandle EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SANFORD-FRITCH EL (rated 8.8/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Fritch), with a comparable rating. Another option is HIGHLAND PARK EL (rated 6.9/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Amarillo), a more accessible option. Additionally, GRANDVIEW-HOPKINS EL (rated 6.9/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Groom), a more accessible option. For more schools in Panhandle, see our Panhandle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.3 mi
School Distance Rating
PANHANDLE J H Panhandle 0.1 mi 9.0
PANHANDLE H S Panhandle 0.2 mi 8.5
WHITE DEER H S White Deer 13.1 mi 8.6
WHITE DEER EL White Deer 13.3 mi 5.6
CLAUDE SCHOOLS Claude 16.8 mi 8.5
HIGHLAND PARK H S Amarillo 16.8 mi 8.5
HIGHLAND PARK EL Amarillo 16.8 mi 6.9
HIGHLAND PARK MIDDLE Amarillo 16.8 mi 6.5
GATEWAY EL Borger 20.8 mi 5.2
BORGER MIDDLE Borger 20.8 mi 8.7
BORGER INT Borger 20.8 mi 6.8
CROCKETT EL Borger 20.9 mi 6.7
GROOM SCHOOL Groom 18.4 mi 8.7
BORGER H S Borger 21.9 mi 5.9
PAUL BELTON EL Borger 22.5 mi 5.8
SPRING CREEK SCHOOL Skellytown 22.6 mi 5.6
SANFORD-FRITCH H S Fritch 23.2 mi 7.5
SANFORD-FRITCH J H Fritch 23.3 mi 8.4
SANFORD-FRITCH EL Fritch 23.6 mi 8.8
GRANDVIEW-HOPKINS EL Groom 21.3 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,604

Median Home Value

$158,100

Median Rent

$981/mo

Population

3,124

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

74.9%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Panhandle EL has a median household income of $86,604. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,100, with a median rent of $981/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
IOLA EL Iola, TX 9.3
J B STEPHENS EL Bangs, TX 9.3
JESS HARBEN EL Richardson, TX 9.3
OLIVER EL Stamford, TX 9.3
RUSK EL Rusk, TX 9.3
SAVOY EL Savoy, TX 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Panhandle EL

What grades does Panhandle EL serve?

Panhandle EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Panhandle EL?

Panhandle EL has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Panhandle EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Panhandle EL is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Panhandle EL rank in TX?

Panhandle EL is ranked #52 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Panhandle EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Panhandle 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 Panhandle EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Panhandle EL has 64.5% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Panhandle EL a charter school?

No, Panhandle EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Panhandle EL a Title I school?

No, Panhandle EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Panhandle EL?

26.6% of students at Panhandle 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (396/100K)

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
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PANHANDLE ISD
District Enrollment
625
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,027
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 methodology

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