Rice Cisd, TX - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Rice Cisd

Rice CISD serves a small district of about thirteen hundred students across prekindergarten through grade twelve in Colorado County, south of Houston. The district's student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and a white minority. Most students qualify as economically disadvantaged, and the district has operated a universal free meals program through the federal Community Eligibility Provision for the past two school years, eliminating meal-application burden for all families.

The district's recent state accountability ratings paint a mixed picture. Rice CISD itself received a C overall in the most recent cycle, with a modest upward trend in its closing-the-gaps category. However, Rice Junior High, one of the district's middle schools, received an F rating and was placed on the state's Public Education Grant list for the 2026-2027 school year, meaning parents of students at that campus now have the option to request a transfer to another district. This is a significant marker for families considering the district's secondary pathway.

Across the tested grades, state assessment proficiency in math and English language arts sits well below state norms. In grade four, about half of students showed proficiency in math; by grade six, that share drops to about one in eight. ELA proficiency is somewhat stronger in the upper elementary and middle grades, ranging from about one-third to two-fifths of students. Science proficiency in grade five is around one-fifth, and in grade eight it is slightly lower. Social studies proficiency in grade eight is notably low. These results suggest that Rice CISD students are encountering significant academic challenges across core subjects, particularly as they move into the middle grades.

The district operates a District of Innovation plan through 2028, a state designation that exempts it from certain Texas Education Code requirements and typically allows flexibility around school start dates and teacher certification. The district has six elementary or primary schools, an intermediate school, a junior high, a high school, and a separate "Challenge Academy," which suggests some structural differentiation in how it serves students across grade bands.

Housing values in the district's service areas—which include Eagle Lake, Garwood, Hallettsville, and other small towns across Colorado County—are generally below the state average. This translates to a more affordable housing market, though with current mortgage rates and down-payment expectations, homeownership remains a meaningful expense for families in the median income range.

A parent or resident weighing Rice CISD should understand that the district serves a rural, economically stretched community with strong support through the free-meals program, but academic proficiency remains a real challenge across grades and subjects. The junior high's F rating and PEG designation is concrete information to factor into decisions about middle school placement. Families should look directly into the district's current initiatives and staffing strategies to understand how it is working to close its proficiency gaps.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,315

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 57%

Black 15%

White 24%

Asian 1%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

41%

74%

Gr 4

—

76%

Gr 5

53%

—

Gr 6

34%

47%

Gr 7

33%

48%

Gr 8

37%

56%

Math

Gr 3

38%

58%

Gr 4

38%

88%

Gr 5

37%

60%

Gr 6

10%

21%

Gr 7

Gr 8

29%

Science

Gr 5

18%

36%

Gr 8

16%

25%

Social studies

Gr 8

10%

all_subjects_approaches

Gr ALL

32%

—

all_subjects_masters

Gr ALL

—

all_subjects_meets

Gr ALL

11%

—

ela_approaches

Gr ALL

29%

—

ela_masters

Gr ALL

—

ela_meets

Gr ALL

12%

—

math_approaches

Gr ALL

34%

—

math_masters

Gr ALL

—

math_meets

Gr ALL

11%

—

science_approaches

Gr ALL

30%

—

science_masters

Gr ALL

—

science_meets

Gr ALL

—

social_studies_approaches

Gr ALL

35%

—

social_studies_masters

Gr ALL

—

social_studies_meets

Gr ALL

13%

—

Schools in this District

7 schools are officially reported under this district.

RICE CHALLENGE ACADEMY

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

5 grades reported

47%

Grade 4

41%

Grade 5

12%

Grade 6

Grade 7

10%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

3 grades reported

36%

Grade 6

37%

Grade 7

40%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

21%

Grade 5

18%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$268,845

Year-over-year change-3.6%

Range across 10 ZIP codes$170K to $613K

vs. state typical0.89x

vs. national typical0.73x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (10 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
77442	Garwood	$253K	-4.9%	45.7%
77434	Eagle Lake	$170K	-3.4%	23.4%
77475	Hallettsville	$234K	-3.2%	7.2%
78933	Cat Spring	$613K	-1.4%	6.2%
78935	Alleyton	$433K	-1.5%	3.9%
78934	Columbus	$308K	-1.4%	3.6%
77964	Hallettsville	$344K	+1.3%	3.0%
77435	East Bernard	$343K	+1.3%	1.3%
77455	Louise	$354K	0.0%	0.2%
78962	Weimar	$346K	-0.8%	0.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,357/mo

Home price / national median income3.2x

Comparison

State typical home value$302,187 (-2.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.