Average
#6015 of 8,547 schools in TX
Southside EL
Elementary School · PALESTINE ISD
201 GILLESPIE RD, Palestine, TX 75801
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
2nd – 3rd
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
2nd – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palestine
#9 of 10
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,982 of 4,678
In district
#6 of 6
PALESTINE ISD
About Southside EL
SOUTHSIDE EL is a regular public elementary school in Palestine, Texas, nestled in Anderson County. The school serves second and third graders with an enrollment of 460 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the campus fosters a nurturing environment focused on academic growth and development.
Academically, SOUTHSIDE EL has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10, ranking it at #5395 among Texas schools, placing it in the 37th percentile. The school’s state academic score is 4.3 out of 10, with 38% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 36% proficiency in Math across its grade levels. While these scores indicate room for improvement, SOUTHSIDE EL continues to support its students through various educational programs and initiatives.
SOUTHSIDE EL is situated in a town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers, parents, and students can easily connect and collaborate. The school’s location provides easy access to local amenities and resources, contributing to a supportive learning environment for all.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Southside EL — Students at Southside EL score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
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: 4.7/10.
How Southside EL Compares
See how Southside EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 29% (2021).
Location
201 GILLESPIE RD, Palestine, TX 75801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NECHES EL (rated 8.7/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Neches), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELKHART INT (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Elkhart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SLOCUM PK - 8 (rated 7.0/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Elkhart), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palestine, see our Palestine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Palestine | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| PALESTINE H S Palestine | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| PALESTINE J H Palestine | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| WASHINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Palestine | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| STORY INT Palestine | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| UT TYLER UNIVERSITY ACADEMY AT PALESTINE Tyler | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| NORTHSIDE PRI Palestine | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| WESTWOOD EL Palestine | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| WESTWOOD H S Palestine | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| WESTWOOD J H Palestine | 3.5 mi | 8.7 |
| WESTWOOD PRI Palestine | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ELKHART H S Elkhart | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ELKHART MIDDLE Elkhart | 8.2 mi | 8.2 |
| ELKHART EL Elkhart | 8.3 mi | 5.4 |
| ELKHART INT Elkhart | 8.3 mi | 8.3 |
| NECHES EL Neches | 11.9 mi | 8.7 |
| SLOCUM H S Elkhart | 12.2 mi | 8.1 |
| SLOCUM PK - 8 Elkhart | 12.2 mi | 7.0 |
| NECHES H S Neches | 12.7 mi | 8.8 |
| OAKWOOD H S Oakwood | 17.2 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,485
Median Home Value
$163,100
Median Rent
$1,003/mo
Population
16,891
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside EL has a median household income of $53,485. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,100, with a median rent of $1,003/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALLEN EL San Antonio, TX | 5.4 |
| ALTON BOWEN EL Bryan, TX | 5.4 |
| AMELIA EL Beaumont, TX | 5.4 |
| AVVAI TAMIL CENTER Frisco, TX | 5.4 |
| BELL MANOR EL Bedford, TX | 5.4 |
| BULLOCK EL Garland, TX | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside EL
What grades does Southside EL serve?
Southside EL serves students in grades 2nd through 3rd.
How many students attend Southside EL?
Southside EL has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside EL is 15.9:1. 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 #6015 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Southside EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside EL has a composite rating of 5.4 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 36.5% math proficiency and 37.5% 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?
84.8% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,873/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palestine). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 460
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Anderson County
- Phone
- (903) 731-8023
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PALESTINE ISD- District Enrollment
- 3,247
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,146
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.