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Average

#6101 of 8,547 schools in TX

Southside EL

Elementary School · CLEVELAND ISD

303 FORT WORTH, Cleveland, TX 77327

Enrollment

1,052

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cleveland

#12 of 15

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#3,031 of 4,678

In district

#9 of 11

CLEVELAND ISD

About Southside EL

Southside Elementary serves 1,052 students in grades PK through 5 in Cleveland, Texas, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 across 68 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school in Liberty County, Southside currently ranks #5550 out of 8598 Texas elementary schools, placing it in the 36th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. The school operates within a community where families face economic challenges, with a median household income of $54,022 and a poverty rate of 21.8% in the surrounding 77327 ZIP code.

Educational attainment in the area reflects room for growth, with 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The median home value of $127,200 indicates an affordable housing market for families. With over 1,000 students, Southside Elementary represents one of the larger elementary schools in the region, providing educational services to a substantial portion of Cleveland's young learners.

The school has opportunities to focus on academic development and support student achievement as it serves this growing community. Southside Elementary is situated in Cleveland, a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area in East Texas, offering families a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to broader metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southside EL 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,716

Southside EL — Students at Southside EL score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.5%
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
31%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
20%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Southside EL Compares

See how Southside EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in TX
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

303 FORT WORTH, Cleveland, TX 77327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TARKINGTON EL (rated 7.7/10, 7.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TARKINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 7.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHSIDE EL (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cleveland, see our Cleveland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM Cleveland 1.2 mi 6.9
FREDERICK A DOUGLASS LEARNING ACADEMY Cleveland 1.2 mi 7.1
EASTSIDE EL Cleveland 1.2 mi 5.3
CLEVELAND H S Cleveland 1.2 mi 5.5
CLEVELAND MIDDLE Cleveland 1.4 mi 6.0
NORTHSIDE EL Cleveland 2.0 mi 6.9
GREENLEAF EL Splendora 8.2 mi 5.2
PEACH CREEK EL Splendora 8.3 mi 6.5
TARKINGTON H S Cleveland 7.6 mi 5.2
TARKINGTON EL Cleveland 7.7 mi 7.7
TARKINGTON MIDDLE Cleveland 7.8 mi 6.5
TARKINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Cleveland 7.9 mi 7.5
SPLENDORA H S Splendora 9.0 mi 6.2
SPLENDORA J H Splendora 9.0 mi 7.2
PINEY WOODS EL Splendora 9.0 mi 4.9
SANTA FE EL Cleveland 11.4 mi 5.8
SANTA FE MIDDLE Cleveland 11.5 mi 6.7
PINE BURR EL Cleveland 11.5 mi 6.5
SHEPHERD H S Shepherd 11.3 mi 6.3
DOGWOOD EL New Caney 11.8 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,538

Median Home Value

$144,100

Median Rent

$1,001/mo

Population

37,574

College Educated

10.2%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

44.6 min

Poverty Rate

21.1%

Median Age

28.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southside EL has a median household income of $57,538. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,100, with a median rent of $1,001/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 45 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALLEN EL Frisco, TX 5.3
BELL'S HILL EL Waco, TX 5.3
BLUE HOLE PRI Wimberley, TX 5.3
BUSH EL Houston, TX 5.3
CIMARRON EL Houston, TX 5.3
CLIFTON PARK EL Killeen, TX 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southside EL

What grades does Southside EL serve?

Southside EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Southside EL?

Southside EL has an enrollment of approximately 1,052 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Southside EL is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southside EL rank in TX?

Southside EL is ranked #6101 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Southside EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside EL has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Southside EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside EL has 24.0% math proficiency and 23.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southside EL a charter school?

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

Is Southside EL a Title I school?

No, Southside EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside EL?

96.7% of students at Southside 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cleveland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,052
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Liberty County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CLEVELAND ISD
District Enrollment
11,970
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,415
District Rank
#9 of 11

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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