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Average

#6441 of 8,552 schools in TX

Plains EL

Elementary School · PLAINS ISD

P O BOX 479, Plains, TX 79355

Enrollment

193

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,441 of 8,552

In Plains

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

PLAINS ISD

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Plains EL

5.0/10

Elementary School in Plains · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Plains H S

6.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Plains Middle

4.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Plains EL

Plains EL is a public elementary school in Plains, TX, part of PLAINS ISD. Plains EL serves approximately 193 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Plains EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #6,441 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Plains EL show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below TX schools
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 193 students, Plains EL is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Plains EL sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Plains EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.3 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,677
Chronic Absenteeism18.7%

Plains EL — Students at Plains EL score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
37.6%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
44%
ELA
33%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Plains EL Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
25th percentile in TX
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 479, Plains, TX 79355

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plains EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SUNDOWN EL (rated 9.5/10, 27.1 miles away, in nearby Sundown), which scores notably higher. Another option is TATUM ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Tatum), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YOUNG EL (rated 7.6/10, 33.7 miles away, in nearby Seminole), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PLAINS H S Plains 0.0 mi 6.1
PLAINS MIDDLE Plains 0.0 mi 4.6
DENVER CITY H S Denver City 15.0 mi 6.2
KELLEY EL Denver City 15.1 mi 6.4
DODSON PRI Denver City 15.1 mi 6.6
WILLIAM G GRAVITT J H Denver City 15.2 mi 5.1
SEAGRAVES SCHOOLS Seagraves 22.1 mi 5.8
WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL Wellman 25.1 mi 7.3
SUNDOWN EL Sundown 27.1 mi 9.5
SUNDOWN H S Sundown 27.1 mi 7.9
SUNDOWN J H Sundown 27.1 mi 9.0
RACE (ROUGHNECK ALTERNATIVE CENTER FOR EDUCATION) Sundown 27.1 mi
WHITEFACE SCHOOL Whiteface 30.9 mi 5.9
SEMINOLE J H Seminole 33.1 mi 6.7
SEMINOLE H S Seminole 33.4 mi 6.7
LOOP SCHOOL Loop 30.5 mi 8.0
YOUNG EL Seminole 33.7 mi 7.6
TATUM ELEMENTARY Tatum 28.9 mi 8.8
TATUM HIGH Tatum 29.0 mi 7.1
TATUM JR HIGH Tatum 29.0 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,172

Median Home Value

$118,400

Median Rent

$868/mo

Population

1,642

College Educated

14.3%

Homeownership

67.3%

Poverty Rate

22.2%

Median Age

25.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BRUCEVILLE-EDDY EL Eddy, TX 5.0
CELESTE EL Celeste, TX 5.0
FALFURRIAS EL Falfurrias, TX 5.0
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Giddings, TX 5.0
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Houston, TX 5.0
SOUTHEAST EL Sweetwater, TX 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plains EL

What grades does Plains EL serve?

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

How many students attend Plains EL?

Plains EL has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Plains EL is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Plains EL rank in TX?

Plains EL ranks #6,441 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Plains EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Plains EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Plains EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Plains EL has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Plains EL a charter school?

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

Is Plains EL a Title I school?

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

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

64.8% of students at Plains 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Yoakum County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.7%

District

PLAINS ISD
District Enrollment
421
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,677
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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