Average
#5787 of 8,547 schools in TX
Sour Lake EL
Elementary School · HARDIN-JEFFERSON ISD
P O BOX 340, Sour Lake, TX 77659
Enrollment
760
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
760
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sour Lake
#3 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,866 of 4,678
In district
#4 of 4
HARDIN-JEFFERSON ISD
About Sour Lake EL
Sour Lake Elementary serves 760 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Sour Lake, Texas. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, with 50 full-time equivalent teachers supporting learners across its grade levels. Academically, Sour Lake Elementary is working to strengthen student performance.
In reading, about 48% of students across all grades are proficient or above, while in math, approximately 50% of students have achieved proficiency or better. These areas show room for academic growth as the school focuses on building foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. The school's overall academic score of 7.0/10 reflects ongoing efforts to support student development, and it ranks in the 44th percentile among Texas schools statewide.
As a regular public school in a rural setting, Sour Lake Elementary serves as an important educational anchor for its community. The school's location in rural Hardin County shapes its character and the resources available to families in the area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sour Lake EL 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sour Lake EL — Students at Sour Lake EL score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.5%
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: 5.5/10.
How Sour Lake EL Compares
See how Sour Lake EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 43% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 43% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 340, Sour Lake, TX 77659
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sour Lake EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST HARDIN EL (rated 7.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Saratoga), which scores notably higher. Another option is DEVERS EL (rated 7.8/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Devers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GUESS EL (rated 7.2/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Beaumont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sour Lake, see our Sour Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HARDIN-JEFFERSON J H Sour Lake | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HARDIN-JEFFERSON H S Sour Lake | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW AE China | 6.6 mi | — |
| CHINA EL China | 7.1 mi | 7.1 |
| WEST HARDIN EL Saratoga | 12.9 mi | 7.8 |
| WEST HARDIN H S Saratoga | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| WEST BROOK SR H S Beaumont | 12.8 mi | 5.5 |
| DEVERS EL Devers | 13.4 mi | 7.8 |
| DEVERS JH Devers | 13.4 mi | 8.4 |
| IGNITE COMMUNITY SCHOOL - BEAUMONT Lewisville | 13.3 mi | 3.4 |
| GUESS EL Beaumont | 13.2 mi | 7.2 |
| AMELIA EL Beaumont | 13.4 mi | 5.4 |
| LUMBERTON MIDDLE Lumberton | 13.9 mi | 6.0 |
| LUMBERTON H S Lumberton | 14.0 mi | 6.6 |
| HARDIN CO ALTER ED Lumberton | 14.0 mi | — |
| THE ANCHOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Beaumont | 13.3 mi | — |
| VINCENT MIDDLE Beaumont | 13.5 mi | 4.1 |
| BOB HOPE SCHOOL BEAUMONT Port Arthur | 13.8 mi | 2.0 |
| LUMBERTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCH Lumberton | 14.4 mi | 4.6 |
| MARSHALL MIDDLE Beaumont | 14.0 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77659 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,461
Median Home Value
$233,800
Median Rent
$1,184/mo
Population
5,847
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
85.8%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sour Lake EL has a median household income of $108,461. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,800, with a median rent of $1,184/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANNETTA EL Aledo, TX | 5.5 |
| ARCADIA PARK EL Dallas, TX | 5.5 |
| ARNOLDO CANTU SR EL San Juan, TX | 5.5 |
| BANE EL Houston, TX | 5.5 |
| BANG EL Houston, TX | 5.5 |
| CASEY EL Austin, TX | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sour Lake EL
What grades does Sour Lake EL serve?
Sour Lake EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sour Lake EL?
Sour Lake EL has an enrollment of approximately 760 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sour Lake EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Sour Lake EL is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sour Lake EL rank in TX?
Sour Lake EL is ranked #5787 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Sour Lake EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Sour Lake EL has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Sour Lake EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sour Lake EL has 50.5% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sour Lake EL a charter school?
No, Sour Lake EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sour Lake EL a Title I school?
No, Sour Lake EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sour Lake EL?
40.5% of students at Sour Lake EL 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (799/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sour Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 760
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hardin County
- Phone
- (409) 981-6440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HARDIN-JEFFERSON ISD- District Enrollment
- 2,754
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,301
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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