Average
#4361 of 8,547 schools in TX
Prairie Lea School
School · PRAIRIE LEA ISD
P O BOX 9, Prairie Lea, TX 78661
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#274 of 477
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Prairie Lea School
Prairie Lea School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Prairie Lea, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of 265 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. This close-knit environment allows for personalized attention and support.
Prairie Lea School offers a full range of educational programs but currently faces challenges in academic performance, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #6298 out of 8598 schools in Texas (27th percentile). The school's average proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are at 20%, while math proficiency is at 10%. While these numbers indicate room for improvement, they also highlight the dedication needed to support student development and growth.
Prairie Lea School sits in a small rural setting where community ties run deep. This close-knit environment provides students with opportunities to engage actively within their local community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Prairie Lea School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Prairie Lea School 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Prairie Lea School — Students at Prairie Lea School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Prairie Lea School Compares
See how Prairie Lea School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 9, Prairie Lea, TX 78661
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Lea School may also want to explore other schools in the area. SOUTHWEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby San Marcos), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY CHARTER SCHOOLS - LOCKHART CAMPUS (rated 7.7/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Lockhart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PLUM CREEK EL (rated 7.5/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Lockhart), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Prairie Lea, see our Prairie Lea schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LOCKHART MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lockhart | 7.2 mi | 3.9 |
| LEONARD SHANKLIN EL Luling | 7.0 mi | 7.4 |
| GILBERT GERDES J H Luling | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| LULING H S Luling | 7.0 mi | 4.4 |
| TRINITY CHARTER SCHOOLS - LOCKHART CAMPUS Lockhart | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| LOCKHART J H Lockhart | 10.2 mi | 4.1 |
| THE GOSPEL LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lockhart | 10.8 mi | — |
| BLUEBONNET EL Lockhart | 10.7 mi | 7.2 |
| NAVARRO EL Lockhart | 10.6 mi | 6.0 |
| CLEAR FORK EL Lockhart | 10.7 mi | 7.0 |
| LOCKHART H S Lockhart | 10.7 mi | 6.6 |
| THE EXCEL CENTER (FOR ADULTS) Austin | 11.3 mi | 4.1 |
| THE EXCEL CENTER FOR ADULTS - LOCKHART Austin | 11.3 mi | — |
| LOCKHART PRIDE H S Lockhart | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| GEORGE W CARVER EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Lockhart | 12.0 mi | 5.3 |
| PLUM CREEK EL Lockhart | 12.2 mi | 7.5 |
| SOUTHWEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL San Marcos | 12.8 mi | 8.8 |
| LEGACY RANCH INSPIRE ACADEMY Gonzales | 12.5 mi | 5.1 |
| BOWIE EL San Marcos | 12.9 mi | 5.0 |
| SAN MARCOS H S San Marcos | 13.4 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78661 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,917
Median Home Value
$190,200
Population
658
College Educated
7.2%
Homeownership
83.7%
Poverty Rate
33.1%
Median Age
27.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Lea School has a median household income of $47,917. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,200. The area has a poverty rate of 33.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATHENS CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Athens, TX | 6.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Worth, TX | 6.3 |
| EDEN CISD Eden, TX | 6.3 |
| FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMY-BASTROP Lewisville, TX | 6.3 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ROCKWALL Rockwall, TX | 6.3 |
| MARFA SCHOOLS Marfa, TX | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Lea School
What grades does Prairie Lea School serve?
Prairie Lea School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Prairie Lea School?
Prairie Lea School has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Lea School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Lea School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Lea School rank in TX?
Prairie Lea School is ranked #4361 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Prairie Lea School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Lea School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Prairie Lea School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Lea School has 9.8% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Lea School a charter school?
No, Prairie Lea School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Lea School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Lea School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Lea School?
75.8% of students at Prairie Lea School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (409/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 265
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Caldwell County
- Phone
- (512) 488-2328
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PRAIRIE LEA ISD- District Enrollment
- 265
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,275
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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