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
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Sands CISD — Students at Sands CISD score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.9%
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: 7.2/10.
How Sands CISD Compares
See how Sands CISD performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (432) 353-4888
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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