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Very Good

#1727 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 20% in state

Thomas Arnold EL

Elementary School · SALADO ISD

P O BOX 98, Salado, TX 76571

Enrollment

1,031

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#1,727 of 8,552

In Salado

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

SALADO ISD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas Arnold EL

7.9/10

Elementary School in Salado · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Salado Middle

5.7/10

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

Salado H S

6.5/10

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

About Thomas Arnold EL

Thomas Arnold EL is a public elementary school in Salado, TX, part of SALADO ISD. Thomas Arnold EL serves approximately 1,031 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Arnold EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,727 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Arnold EL show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts above TX schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Arnold 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 Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,952
Chronic Absenteeism11.4%

Thomas Arnold EL — Students at Thomas Arnold EL score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.2% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 12 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
46.9%
ELA
53.9%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
60%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Thomas Arnold EL Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
80th percentile in TX
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

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

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. HOLLAND EL (rated 8.1/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Holland), with a very similar rating. Another option is RICHARD E CAVAZOS EL (rated 7.9/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Nolanville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NOLAN CREEK SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Belton), with a comparable rating. 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 5.7
SALADO H S Salado 1.2 mi 6.5
CEDAR CREST Belton 6.3 mi 5.7
CHISHOLM TRAIL EL Belton 7.8 mi 3.5
SOUTH BELTON MIDDLE Belton 8.1 mi 4.9
SOUTHWEST EL Belton 8.3 mi 4.1
MILLER HEIGHTS EL Belton 8.3 mi 3.9
NOLAN CREEK SCHOOL Belton 8.6 mi 7.1
JARRELL MIDDLE Jarrell 9.1 mi 3.4
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 3.2
NOLAN MIDDLE Harker Heights 9.4 mi 7.3
RICHARD E CAVAZOS EL Nolanville 9.9 mi 7.9
JARRELL EL Jarrell 10.0 mi 4.9
NOLANVILLE EL Nolanville 9.8 mi 6.8
HOLLAND EL Holland 9.2 mi 8.1
LEON HEIGHTS EL Belton 9.8 mi 6.9
HOLLAND H S Holland 9.2 mi 9.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A G ELDER EL Joshua, TX 7.9
AIDA C ESCOBAR EL Pharr, TX 7.9
ALLEN EL Frisco, TX 7.9
AULT EL Cypress, TX 7.9
BARBARA FASKEN EL Laredo, TX 7.9
BIRKES EL Houston, TX 7.9

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 ranks #1,727 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Thomas Arnold EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Arnold EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Thomas Arnold EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Arnold EL has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

District

SALADO ISD
District Enrollment
2,346
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,952
District Rank
#1 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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