The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Chandler El
Chandler Elementary serves second and third grade students in Kilgore, a small East Texas city with a distinct oil-heritage character and a mix of industrial, downtown, and residential areas. The school is located in the Kilgore Independent School District, which is currently undergoing substantial infrastructure investment through a bond package approved by voters in 2021. A new Kilgore High School is expected to open in fall 2026, and Chandler Elementary itself received renovation funding as part of that same bond initiative.
The school enrolls a diverse population at relatively even split across its two grade levels. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is mixed, with roughly equal numbers of white and Hispanic students, along with a meaningful population of Black students and a smaller share from other groups. Complete data on English learner and special education populations was not available.
Academically, Chandler Elementary's recent state testing results show a mixed picture. In English Language Arts on the 2024-25 STAAR assessment, proficiency was moderate. In mathematics, however, only a very small share of tested third-grade students met proficiency standards. Across broader performance bands, about half of all students reached the "meets" level in both subjects, while about three-quarters reached the "approaches" level. A small share of students achieved mastery in each subject. These results place Chandler in the bottom quartile among school entities in Rusk County on overall proficiency. A parent may want to examine the school's instructional plans for mathematics and discuss with staff how the school is addressing the performance gap, particularly in that subject.
Kilgore is situated where Interstate 20 and major US highways converge, in a low-density build pattern outside a walkable historic downtown core. The local economy is anchored by oil and gas, manufacturing (including boat, refrigeration, and packaging production), and Kilgore College, and the city draws workforce from across a region. Housing costs are below state and national benchmarks, and the local mortgage and rent-to-income ratios are modest. The city is seeing active residential and industrial development, including new apartment construction and major manufacturing facility expansions.
The district's property tax rate has declined each year due to state compression policies, lowering the cost of homeownership in the area. This sustained tax reduction has structured a lower financial baseline for school operations going forward. The bond-funded upgrades to school facilities, including Chandler's renovations, represent the district's effort to maintain and modernize its physical plant despite that compressed revenue environment.
See more original research from School Decision →