The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on South El
South Elementary is a grades 3-5 public school in Daingerfield, a small rural county seat in Upper East Texas. The school serves a student body that is economically and racially diverse: a large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is split roughly equally among Black, white, and Hispanic students, with smaller representation of students in other groups.
The school's state assessment results show persistent academic gaps. In math, fewer than one in four students scored proficient or above across the grade band, with third grade performing slightly better than fourth or fifth. In English language arts, the results are somewhat stronger: about one in three students scored proficient or above. Science results are available only for fifth grade and are reported for an extremely small test population, so drawing conclusions from that data is not possible. The data suggests that math proficiency is a particular pressure point. Performance on the "approaches" level, which represents the lowest passing threshold in Texas STAAR, spans from a minority to just under half across subjects, indicating that a substantial share of students are still below even emerging mastery.
The school is situated within a district that has just completed a major facilities referendum. In May 2026, voters approved a substantial bond to build a new combined pre-K through 5 elementary school, which will consolidate South and West Elementary (both built in the 1950s) into one modern facility. This represents lasting change for families considering the district: the bond also adds security improvements at the secondary schools and comes with a measurable increase in the school property-tax Interest and Sinking rate for most homeowners. The transition to a new building and consolidated campus structure is a multi-year undertaking that will reshape the elementary experience for incoming students.
Daingerfield itself is a quiet, slow-growth community centered on its county courthouse, historic downtown, and Daingerfield State Park about five miles away. Homes sit on large, tree-lined lots; the economy has historically depended on manufacturing and steel, though it now draws from health care, retail, and smaller employers. Regional shopping and services are available in Mount Pleasant and Longview within reasonable distance. The housing market is modest and stable, with homes valued well below state and national medians, making it an affordable option for families. There is no public transit within the town.
A parent considering South Elementary should understand that the school currently faces significant academic headwinds, particularly in math, and that enrollment data for fifth grade in one subject was too small to yield a result. The school's near-term future will be shaped by the ongoing consolidation into a new building and single elementary campus. The district's commitment to facility modernization signals a stability of resources in the medium term.
See more original research from School Decision →