Very Good
#1630 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 19% in state
Tarkington EL
Elementary School · TARKINGTON ISD
2770 FM 163, Cleveland, TX 77327
Enrollment
779
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
779
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cleveland
#1 of 15
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#858 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 4
TARKINGTON ISD
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Tarkington EL
Tarkington Elementary serves grades 1–5 in rural Liberty County near Cleveland, Texas. With 779 students and 49 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, providing a moderately sized learning environment where individual attention is still possible. Academically, Tarkington performs at the 63rd percentile statewide, ranking #3212 among Texas schools.
The school's academic score of 7.6/10 reflects mixed results across subjects. Math performance is stronger, with 56% of students testing proficient or above across grade levels. Reading and language arts show room for growth, with 43% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks.
These results suggest the school is working toward strengthening literacy skills while building on its relative math foundation. As a regular public school in a rural setting, Tarkington serves its community with traditional elementary programming for younger learners. The rural location offers a different school experience than urban or suburban alternatives, which may appeal to families valuing that environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tarkington 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
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Tarkington EL — Students at Tarkington EL score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
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: 8.4/10.
How Tarkington EL Compares
See how Tarkington EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 56% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2021).
Location
2770 FM 163, Cleveland, TX 77327
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tarkington EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TARKINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is NORTHSIDE EL (rated 6.9/10, 8.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PINE BURR EL (rated 6.5/10, 9.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.5 |
| TARKINGTON MIDDLE Cleveland | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| TARKINGTON H S Cleveland | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| CLEVELAND MIDDLE Cleveland | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| CLEVELAND H S Cleveland | 6.6 mi | 5.5 |
| EASTSIDE EL Cleveland | 6.7 mi | 5.3 |
| DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM Cleveland | 7.6 mi | 6.9 |
| FREDERICK A DOUGLASS LEARNING ACADEMY Cleveland | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| SOUTHSIDE EL Cleveland | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| NORTHSIDE EL Cleveland | 8.3 mi | 6.9 |
| PINE BURR EL Cleveland | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| ILTEXAS BG RAMIREZ MIDDLE Richardson | 10.3 mi | 4.9 |
| ILTEXAS BG RAMIREZ EL Richardson | 10.3 mi | 5.2 |
| SANTA FE MIDDLE Cleveland | 10.3 mi | 6.7 |
| SANTA FE EL Cleveland | 10.4 mi | 5.8 |
| SHEPHERD H S Shepherd | 12.2 mi | 6.3 |
| SHEPHERD INT Shepherd | 12.8 mi | 5.3 |
| SHEPHERD MIDDLE Shepherd | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| COTTONWOOD EL Cleveland | 12.4 mi | 4.7 |
| SHEPHERD PRI Shepherd | 13.3 mi | 4.2 |
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 Tarkington 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 |
|---|---|
| A G ELDER EL Joshua, TX | 7.7 |
| ANDERSON EL Conroe, TX | 7.7 |
| AUSTIN EL Coppell, TX | 7.7 |
| COLLIER EL San Antonio, TX | 7.7 |
| CURTIS EL Weatherford, TX | 7.7 |
| DYESS EL Abilene, TX | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #1630 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Tarkington EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Tarkington EL has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Tarkington EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tarkington EL has 55.5% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cleveland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (281) 592-6134
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
TARKINGTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,928
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,258
- District Rank
- #1 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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