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Excellent

#1173 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 14% in state

Sands CISD

School · SANDS CISD

P O BOX 218, Ackerly, TX 79713

Enrollment

246

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#68 of 477

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sands CISD

SANDS CISD serves 246 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the small rural community of Ackerly, Texas. This public school district stands out academically, earning a strong 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #860 out of 8,598 Texas schools. With just 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 12.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention.

Academic performance is solid, with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 54% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws from a tight-knit rural community in Dawson County where the median household income is $69,500 and median home values are $140,600. About 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 20.4%.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of just 879 residents. SANDS CISD provides the benefits of small-school education while delivering academic results that place it among the top-performing schools in Texas. The district serves families in this remote rural setting where students can receive individual attention while building strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sands CISD 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 Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,699

Sands CISD — Students at Sands CISD score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
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
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Sands CISD Compares

See how Sands CISD performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in TX
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

P O BOX 218, Ackerly, TX 79713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sands CISD may also want to explore other schools in the area. KLONDIKE ISD (rated 8.6/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Lamesa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GRADY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Lenorah), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, O'DONNELL SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 31.2 miles away, in nearby O'Donnell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ackerly, see our Ackerly schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.3 mi
School Distance Rating
KLONDIKE ISD Lamesa 14.7 mi 8.6
GRADY SCHOOL Lenorah 19.8 mi 8.6
LAMESA SCHOOLS Lamesa 20.8 mi 5.1
BORDEN COUNTY SCHOOL Gail 22.9 mi 7.8
BIG SPRING J H Big Spring 23.8 mi 7.8
RUNNELS ACADEMY Big Spring 24.0 mi 6.3
NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BIG SPRING Big Spring 24.2 mi
BIG SPRING H S Big Spring 24.1 mi 6.0
GOLIAD EL Big Spring 24.7 mi 7.4
MOSS EL Big Spring 24.4 mi 5.0
BIG SPRING INT Big Spring 24.8 mi 7.8
MARCY EL Big Spring 25.2 mi 5.1
WASHINGTON EL Big Spring 24.7 mi 8.3
KENTWOOD EL Big Spring 26.0 mi 6.1
STANTON H S Stanton 28.0 mi 7.3
STANTON EL Stanton 28.2 mi 8.9
STANTON MIDDLE Stanton 28.2 mi 8.2
O'DONNELL SCHOOL O'Donnell 31.2 mi 8.3
COAHOMA EL Coahoma 28.3 mi 7.2
COAHOMA H S Coahoma 28.3 mi 3.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,721

Median Home Value

$142,000

Population

962

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

79.6%

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

30.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sands CISD has a median household income of $70,721. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,000. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AKIBA YAVNEH ACADEMY Dallas, TX 8.0
ALLEN ACADEMY Bryan, TX 8.0
CALVARY EPISCOPAL PREPARATORY Richmond, TX 8.0
DIME BOX SCHOOL Dime Box, TX 8.0
DODD CITY SCHOOL Dodd City, TX 8.0
KENNARD ISD Kennard, TX 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sands CISD

What grades does Sands CISD serve?

Sands CISD serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Sands CISD?

Sands CISD has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sands CISD?

The student-teacher ratio at Sands CISD is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sands CISD rank in TX?

Sands CISD is ranked #1173 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Sands CISD's MySchoolScout rating?

Sands CISD has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Sands CISD?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sands CISD has 57.0% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sands CISD a charter school?

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

Is Sands CISD a Title I school?

No, Sands CISD is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sands CISD?

58.9% of students at Sands CISD 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (276/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Dawson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SANDS CISD
District Enrollment
246
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,312
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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