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
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Panhandle EL — Students at Panhandle EL score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.6%
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: 9.7/10.
How Panhandle EL Compares
See how Panhandle EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (806) 537-3579
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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