Skip to main content

Average

#5579 of 8,552 schools in TX

Tarkington EL

Elementary School · TARKINGTON ISD

2770 FM 163, Cleveland, TX 77327

Enrollment

779

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

5.6

Grades

1st – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#5,579 of 8,552

In Cleveland

#5 of 15

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

TARKINGTON ISD

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Tarkington EL?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Tarkington EL

5.6/10

Elementary School in Cleveland · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tarkington Early Childhood School

4.4/10

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

Tarkington Middle

5.7/10

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

About Tarkington EL

Tarkington EL is a public elementary school in Cleveland, TX, part of TARKINGTON ISD. Tarkington EL serves approximately 779 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Tarkington EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #5,579 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Tarkington EL show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Tarkington EL sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Tarkington EL 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,258
Chronic Absenteeism12.8%

Tarkington EL — Students at Tarkington EL score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 64.3% (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
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
83%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
59%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
56%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
29%
ELA
38%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Tarkington EL Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in TX
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.8%

Programs & Offerings

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

2770 FM 163, Cleveland, TX 77327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tarkington EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COTTONWOOD EL (rated 7.3/10, 12.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHSIDE EL (rated 7.1/10, 7.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PINE BURR EL (rated 5.5/10, 9.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cleveland, see our Cleveland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
TARKINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Cleveland 0.2 mi 4.4
TARKINGTON MIDDLE Cleveland 0.3 mi 5.7
TARKINGTON H S Cleveland 0.3 mi 5.4
CLEVELAND MIDDLE Cleveland 6.4 mi 3.9
CLEVELAND H S Cleveland 6.6 mi 4.2
EASTSIDE EL Cleveland 6.7 mi 4.3
DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM Cleveland 7.6 mi 4.8
FREDERICK A DOUGLASS LEARNING ACADEMY Cleveland 7.6 mi 5.6
SOUTHSIDE EL Cleveland 7.7 mi 7.1
NORTHSIDE EL Cleveland 8.3 mi 5.1
PINE BURR EL Cleveland 9.8 mi 5.5
ILTEXAS BG RAMIREZ MIDDLE Richardson 10.3 mi 2.8
ILTEXAS BG RAMIREZ EL Richardson 10.3 mi 3.0
SANTA FE MIDDLE Cleveland 10.3 mi 4.2
SANTA FE EL Cleveland 10.4 mi 3.5
SHEPHERD H S Shepherd 12.2 mi 6.2
SHEPHERD INT Shepherd 12.8 mi 4.3
SHEPHERD MIDDLE Shepherd 12.9 mi 4.1
COTTONWOOD EL Cleveland 12.4 mi 7.3
SHEPHERD PRI Shepherd 13.3 mi 4.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BELL'S HILL EL Waco, TX 5.6
BENITO MARTINEZ EL El Paso, TX 5.6
CARSON EL Decatur, TX 5.6
CESAR CHAVEZ LEARNING CENTER Dallas, TX 5.6
COPPERFIELD EL Austin, TX 5.6
DAFFRON EL Plano, TX 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tarkington EL

What grades does Tarkington EL serve?

Tarkington EL serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Tarkington EL?

Tarkington EL has an enrollment of approximately 779 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tarkington EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Tarkington 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 Tarkington EL rank in TX?

Tarkington EL ranks #5,579 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Tarkington EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Tarkington EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Tarkington EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tarkington EL has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Tarkington EL a charter school?

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

Is Tarkington EL a Title I school?

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

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

61.4% of students at Tarkington 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
779
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Liberty County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.8%

District

TARKINGTON ISD
District Enrollment
1,928
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,258
District Rank
#2 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

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.