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Excellent

#1419 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 17% in state

Sands CISD

School · SANDS CISD

P O BOX 218, Ackerly, TX 79713

Enrollment

246

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#1,419 of 8,552

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Sands CISD

8.1/10

School in Ackerly · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Klondike ISD

9.0/10

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

Grady School

8.8/10

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

About Sands CISD

Sands CISD is a public school in Ackerly, TX, part of SANDS CISD. Sands CISD serves approximately 246 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sands CISD has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,419 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Sands CISD show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts above TX schools
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Sands CISD 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness9.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,312

Sands CISD — Students at Sands CISD score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 72.5% (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
87%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
48.8%
ELA
47.4%
2024
Math
38%
ELA
58%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Sands CISD Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
83th percentile in TX
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

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

Programs & Offerings

Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 218, Ackerly, TX 79713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sands CISD may also want to explore other schools in the area. KLONDIKE ISD (rated 9.0/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Lamesa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GRADY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Lenorah), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BORDEN COUNTY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Gail), 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 9.0
GRADY SCHOOL Lenorah 19.8 mi 8.8
LAMESA SCHOOLS Lamesa 20.8 mi 6.5
BORDEN COUNTY SCHOOL Gail 22.9 mi 8.7
BIG SPRING J H Big Spring 23.8 mi 6.4
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 5.5
GOLIAD EL Big Spring 24.7 mi 8.5
MOSS EL Big Spring 24.4 mi 8.1
BIG SPRING INT Big Spring 24.8 mi 8.3
MARCY EL Big Spring 25.2 mi 4.6
WASHINGTON EL Big Spring 24.7 mi 8.2
KENTWOOD EL Big Spring 26.0 mi 6.6
STANTON H S Stanton 28.0 mi 7.3
STANTON EL Stanton 28.2 mi 7.3
STANTON MIDDLE Stanton 28.2 mi 8.2
O'DONNELL SCHOOL O'Donnell 31.2 mi 8.0
COAHOMA EL Coahoma 28.3 mi 6.2
COAHOMA H S Coahoma 28.3 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BRAZOSPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lake Jackson, TX 8.1
BRONTE ISD Bronte, TX 8.1
DODD CITY SCHOOL Dodd City, TX 8.1
HUCKABAY SCHOOL Stephenville, TX 8.1
SIDNEY SCHOOL Sidney, TX 8.1
SILVERTON SCHOOL Silverton, TX 8.1

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 ranks #1,419 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Sands CISD's MySchoolScout rating?

Sands CISD has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Sands CISD?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sands CISD has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

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