Average
#5136 of 8,547 schools in TX
Thomas Arnold EL
Elementary School · SALADO ISD
P O BOX 98, Salado, TX 76571
Enrollment
1,031
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,031
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salado
#3 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,523 of 4,678
In district
#3 of 3
SALADO ISD
About Thomas Arnold EL
Thomas Arnold Elementary serves 1,031 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Salado, Texas. With 66 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, providing opportunities for meaningful teacher-student connections in this sizable elementary setting. The school currently ranks #5,766 out of 8,598 Texas elementary schools, placing it in the 33rd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10.
This indicates the school has room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement across all grade levels. Thomas Arnold Elementary serves families in a community where the median household income is $94,517 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.6%, with median home values around $351,300, reflecting a stable residential community of nearly 10,000 residents.
As a regular public school, Thomas Arnold Elementary provides foundational education during these crucial early academic years, helping young learners build essential skills for their educational journey ahead. The school is situated in rural Bell County, offering students a small-town Texas educational experience in the charming community of Salado.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Thomas Arnold 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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Thomas Arnold EL — Students at Thomas Arnold EL score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.2%
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: 6.6/10.
How Thomas Arnold EL Compares
See how Thomas Arnold EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 40% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 50% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 98, Salado, TX 76571
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Arnold EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEON HEIGHTS EL (rated 8.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Belton), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHWEST EL (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Belton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RICHARD E CAVAZOS EL (rated 8.0/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Nolanville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salado, see our Salado schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SALADO MIDDLE Salado | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| SALADO H S Salado | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| CEDAR CREST Belton | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| CHISHOLM TRAIL EL Belton | 7.8 mi | 4.8 |
| SOUTH BELTON MIDDLE Belton | 8.1 mi | 5.0 |
| SOUTHWEST EL Belton | 8.3 mi | 8.3 |
| MILLER HEIGHTS EL Belton | 8.3 mi | 5.6 |
| NOLAN CREEK SCHOOL Belton | 8.6 mi | 7.1 |
| JARRELL MIDDLE Jarrell | 9.1 mi | 5.0 |
| PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Belton | 9.1 mi | 6.9 |
| BELTON NEW TECH H S AT WASKOW Belton | 9.1 mi | — |
| PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Belton | 9.1 mi | 5.4 |
| BELTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL Belton | 9.1 mi | 5.2 |
| NOLAN MIDDLE Harker Heights | 9.4 mi | 6.0 |
| RICHARD E CAVAZOS EL Nolanville | 9.9 mi | 8.0 |
| JARRELL EL Jarrell | 10.0 mi | 4.8 |
| NOLANVILLE EL Nolanville | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| HOLLAND EL Holland | 9.2 mi | 7.0 |
| LEON HEIGHTS EL Belton | 9.8 mi | 8.9 |
| HOLLAND H S Holland | 9.2 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76571 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,341
Median Home Value
$395,800
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
9,454
College Educated
40.8%
Homeownership
87.8%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
47.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Arnold EL has a median household income of $103,341. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $395,800, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| AMY PARKS-HEATH EL Heath, TX | 5.9 |
| BENJAMIN DOC KERLEY EL Hutto, TX | 5.9 |
| CENTENNIAL EL Houston, TX | 5.9 |
| CROSS EL Mesquite, TX | 5.9 |
| DR JOSEPH A FOWLER EL Killeen, TX | 5.9 |
| EDWARD TITCHE EL Dallas, TX | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Arnold EL
What grades does Thomas Arnold EL serve?
Thomas Arnold EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thomas Arnold EL?
Thomas Arnold EL has an enrollment of approximately 1,031 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Arnold EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Arnold EL is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Arnold EL rank in TX?
Thomas Arnold EL is ranked #5136 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Thomas Arnold EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Arnold EL has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Thomas Arnold EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Arnold EL has 46.5% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Arnold EL a charter school?
No, Thomas Arnold EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Arnold EL a Title I school?
No, Thomas Arnold EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Arnold EL?
27.2% of students at Thomas Arnold 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salado). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 1,031
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Bell County
- Phone
- (254) 947-6900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SALADO ISD- District Enrollment
- 2,346
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,952
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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