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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

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

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Decatur ISD, which includes Young Elementary, reports that its Lady Eagles basketball team won the UIL State Championship for 4A Division 1 Girls' Basketball in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years 1 . The district describes itself as having six schools and emphasizes a mission to empower lifelong learners to become visionary leaders 1 . Academic offerings include TEKS-based curriculum, STEM, advanced academics, bilingual and ESL support, and career and technical education 1 . The district also highlights programs in fine arts, off-campus physical education such as equestrian and gymnastics, and early childhood education 1 . Decatur ISD claims to have received the UIL Lone Star Cup and the 2025 Crest Award 1 . The district notes a focus on growth in math education and workforce readiness 1 . Community engagement is described through events like Friday night lights, homecoming games, and blood drives 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.decaturisd.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,982

Young EL — Students at Young EL score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
45%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.7/10
97th percentile in TX
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,946/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DECATUR ISD
District Enrollment
3,811
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,241
District Rank
#1 of 6

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 methodology

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