The top reported proficiency rate is 80% in Science. The lowest is 41% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Terrell El
Terrell Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Denison, Texas, serving prekindergarten through fourth grade. The school sits in a city on a steep growth trajectory, driven by metropolitan spillover from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and lakefront development anchored by the major Preston Harbor resort and housing project. This growth is reshaping the district's footprint and enrollment, which is why a substantial school bond passed recently to add capacity and reconfigure buildings across the district.
The school's recent state testing results show academic performance that sits above the midpoint among Grayson County's districts on an overall proficiency measure, though the school's pattern reflects a common profile for elementary schools in transition. On the most recent state assessments, third-grade English language arts proficiency was just under half, while math proficiency was lower still. The school's fourth-grade testing data was sparse because only a very small number of students took the Spanish-language version of the exam, making those results unavailable. State assessment data for science comes from an earlier period and shows stronger outcomes. The school's broader proficiency picture across all subjects shows that a solid majority of students reached the "approaches" performance level, roughly a third reached the "meets" level, and a smaller share achieved "masters." The results suggest a school where typical learners make progress but where gaps exist in math and reading proficiency, and where a parent may want to look into the specific supports and interventions in place for students not yet meeting grade-level standards.
The student body is economically diverse with a substantial majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting Denison's working-class and lower-middle-income composition. Racially, the enrollment is mixed: close to half the school is White, roughly a quarter is Hispanic, a small share is Black, and the remainder includes multiracial, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian students. Data on English learner enrollment and students with IEPs was not available. The school enrolls a modest number of students across its grade levels, with stronger enrollment in kindergarten and lower grades and tapering enrollment by fourth grade.
Denison itself is a historic town with a cohesive downtown of restored 19th-century commercial buildings, now housing galleries, antique shops, and restaurants, rebuilt through a pedestrian-friendly redesign initiative. The city blends heritage character with proximity to Lake Texoma and sits close enough to Sherman to maintain its own identity rather than function as a pure metroplex suburb. Housing values in the area are below state and national benchmarks, and rental housing remains affordable relative to household income, though home prices have declined modestly year-over-year. The Denison ISD recently completed a major bond-funded renovation and expansion plan that included reconfiguring elementary boundaries and converting Houston Elementary into a pre-K center, with grade reconfiguration set to take effect. A second bond passed in 2025 for technology, buses, and athletic field improvements with no projected tax rate increase.
For families considering the school, Terrell offers a small, neighborhood-focused environment in a growing but still-compact town with downtown walkability, recreation anchored by a major lake, and a district actively investing in facilities. The academic results and economic composition suggest a school serving students at various readiness levels, where parent engagement in understanding the school's literacy and numeracy approach would be worthwhile.
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