Excellent
#304 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 4% in state
Young EL
Elementary School · DECATUR ISD
379 BUCHANAN RD, Decatur, TX 76234
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#1 of 6
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#185 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 6
DECATUR ISD
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Young EL
Young Elementary serves 465 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Decatur, Texas. It earns a composite score of 8.9 out of 10 — an Excellent rating — driven by a standout growth score of 9.7 and a solid academic score of 8.2. The school's 13.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps class sizes tight, giving each student more direct access to instruction than most public schools offer.
The numbers put Young El's performance in sharp relief. It ranks #271 out of 8,547 public schools in Texas, outperforming 97% of schools statewide. Among the 4,678 Texas elementary schools, it lands in the top 4%.
Locally, it holds the #1 spot among all six schools in Decatur — a clear signal that families in this district are sending their youngest learners to the top-performing campus in town. Growth is the school's sharpest edge. A 9.7 growth score means students here are advancing academically at a rate that rivals the best schools in the state, regardless of where they start.
That combination — strong academics paired with exceptional growth — is rare at this scale and distinguishes Young El from peers across the region. For families comparing elementary options in Decatur or nearby communities, the school's consistent, measurable results make it the standard to beat.
What's said publicly about Young EL
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Young 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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Young EL — Students at Young EL score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Young EL Compares
See how Young EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 45% (2021).
Location
379 BUCHANAN RD, Decatur, TX 76234
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Young EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PARADISE INT (rated 8.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Paradise), with a very similar rating. Another option is RANN EL (rated 8.4/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BOYD EL (rated 8.4/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Boyd), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STEM ACADEMY AT ENIS EL Decatur | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| MCCARROLL MIDDLE Decatur | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| RANN EL Decatur | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| DECATUR H S Decatur | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| CARSON EL Decatur | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| PARADISE H S Paradise | 5.8 mi | 7.0 |
| PARADISE MIDDLE Paradise | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| PARADISE INT Paradise | 5.9 mi | 8.8 |
| PARADISE EL Paradise | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| BOYD H S Boyd | 8.2 mi | 8.2 |
| BOYD MIDDLE Boyd | 8.2 mi | 7.2 |
| BOYD INT Boyd | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| BOYD EL Boyd | 8.3 mi | 8.4 |
| BRIDGEPORT H S Bridgeport | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| BRIDGEPORT MIDDLE Bridgeport | 8.3 mi | 8.2 |
| BRIDGEPORT EL Bridgeport | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| BRIDGEPORT INT Bridgeport | 8.8 mi | 7.9 |
| ALVORD H S Alvord | 12.8 mi | 8.2 |
| ALVORD EL Alvord | 13.0 mi | 8.1 |
| ALVORD MIDDLE Alvord | 12.9 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76234 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,083
Median Home Value
$304,300
Median Rent
$1,358/mo
Population
20,912
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Young EL has a median household income of $88,083. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,300, with a median rent of $1,358/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| BRANDON EL Lufkin, TX | 8.7 |
| BRAZOS EL Orchard, TX | 8.7 |
| BULLARD EL Bullard, TX | 8.7 |
| CENTRAL HEIGHTS EL Nacogdoches, TX | 8.7 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK EL Coppell, TX | 8.7 |
| DAN D ROGERS EL Dallas, TX | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Young EL
What grades does Young EL serve?
Young EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Young EL?
Young EL has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Young EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Young EL is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Young EL rank in TX?
Young EL is ranked #304 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Young EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Young EL has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Young EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Young EL has 47.0% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Young EL a charter school?
No, Young EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Young EL a Title I school?
No, Young EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Young EL?
53.3% of students at Young 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 465
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Wise County
- Phone
- (940) 393-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DECATUR ISD- District Enrollment
- 3,811
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,241
- District Rank
- #1 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
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