The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cross Timbers El
Cross Timbers Elementary is a small public school in Azle, serving prekindergarten through fourth grade in a district that is reshaping itself for growth. The school has a steady enrollment across its grade levels and sits in a working-family community where about two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
On state testing, the school's performance is mixed by grade. In English language arts, third and fourth graders show proficiency at roughly the same rate, with about three out of every five students meeting grade-level standards. Math results are less consistent: fourth graders reach similar proficiency to their ELA peers, while third graders trail by roughly a quarter. When looked at across all tested grades combined, the school meets grade-level standards in math at a rate that places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Parker County. In ELA, the school's overall proficiency is also in that upper range for the county. Across all subjects and grades, the vast majority of students show at least an "approaches grade level" performance, suggesting that while some students exceed standards, a meaningful share are working at foundational levels.
The school's enrollment is about a third Hispanic and just over half White, with smaller populations of students identifying as two or more races, Black, or Native American. This composition reflects Azle's demographic makeup.
The housing market around the school is stable. Homes in the Azle area are valued at a level that sits somewhat below the Texas state average but above the national median, and monthly mortgage costs are moderate relative to household income in the region. Rental housing, when available, runs just over a quarter of household income. These affordability markers suggest Azle draws families for whom property ownership and housing stability are achievable.
The district itself is in transition. Voters approved a bond in November 2023 that will fund a new junior high, expansions and renovations at another junior high, and upgrades to eight elementary schools. Construction is slated for completion by summer 2026. The bond also triggers a grade realignment across the district: elementary schools will shift to a PreK-5 model rather than the traditional K-5, and junior highs will become 6-8 configurations. This means fewer school transitions for students as they move through the grades. Cross Timbers will operate as a PreK-5 campus once the transition completes. Simultaneously, the district has reduced its property tax rate for five consecutive years, a pattern that affects families' long-term financial planning in the community.
Cross Timbers serves as the entry point for students beginning their K-12 pathway in a district undertaking significant infrastructure and organizational change. The school's academic profile shows students progressing through early grades with strengths in reading and mixed success in mathematics. For a family considering Azle, the school's real-world context includes an affordable housing market, property tax relief, and a district committing major resources to facility and program expansion through 2026.
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