The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Connally Pri
Connally Primary School serves grades one through three in Elm Mott, a small unincorporated community north of Waco near the Interstate 35 and FM corridor. The school enrolls a small population of students across three grade levels, drawing from a neighborhood with modest, well-maintained homes on spacious lots in a quiet, family-oriented setting. The building sits on its own campus rather than in a traditional downtown; Elm Mott itself has no concentrated civic center, though the broader community is anchored by Homestead Heritage, a traditional crafts village, and connected to the Waco region's employment and services.
The student body is economically disadvantaged. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the racial composition is mixed, with students identifying as Hispanic, Black, and White. The school's enrollment has remained relatively stable, drawing students who live in the surrounding rural and suburban area.
State test results for third grade (the school's only tested grade) show marked academic challenges. In English language arts, about one-third of tested students met or exceeded proficiency, while in mathematics, only about one-sixth did so. When looking at the full proficiency scale across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in McLennan County. The reading data is stronger than the math, but both areas have substantial room for improvement. A parent may want to look into these numbers directly with the school and understand what instructional support and intervention work is underway.
The district itself is navigating significant change. Connally ISD is under a state takeover following multiple years of failing accountability ratings at other district schools; an appointed board of managers and new superintendent are now in place, with the state set to re-evaluate the intervention in roughly two years. The district has implemented a uniform, districtwide curriculum and new instructional lessons since 2023 aimed at improving academic performance, alongside a focus on campus culture, attendance, and behavior. Additionally, Connally Primary will be consolidating with the closing of Connally Elementary School; starting in fall 2026, the building will house grades one through five instead of one through three. This expansion reflects the district's response to declining elementary enrollment but represents a material change to the school's structure and student population.
The community itself has experienced growth and shifts. Elm Mott's population fell sharply in the 1950s and 1960s when highway construction displaced homes and businesses, remained stable for decades, then began rising again in the mid-1990s. Housing costs in the area are below state and national benchmarks, making it accessible to families seeking affordability, though the housing stock mixes single-family homes, mobile homes, and larger lots in a car-dependent setting. Employment draws largely on the broader Waco region, with regional employers such as Baylor University, Texas State Technical College, and Providence Healthcare Network.
A family choosing Connally Primary would be selecting a small school serving an economically stretched community in a period of active district-level transformation. The school's test performance is below county averages and signals academic needs. The district's commitment to a uniform curriculum and new instructional model, combined with ongoing state oversight, means the school is operating in a context of deliberate change and accountability, which some families may view as a genuine reset and others may view as a school in transition.
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