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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,826

Prairie Lea School — Students at Prairie Lea School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in TX
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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