The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Math. The lowest is 12% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Southside El
Southside Elementary serves second and third grade students in Palestine, a historic East Texas county seat between Dallas and Houston. The school enrolls a small student body drawn from a mix of racial and ethnic backgrounds, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student composition is roughly split between Hispanic and white families, with a meaningful Black student enrollment and smaller numbers of Asian and multiracial students.
The school sits on the outskirts of Palestine's historic core, part of the district's campus locations near the southern loop highway rather than in the walkable downtown that centers on the Anderson County Courthouse. Daily life in the surrounding neighborhoods is car-oriented, though the city's wider identity is tied to the railroad heritage and small businesses that anchor its picturesque downtown, plus the Dogwood Trails Park system and outdoor recreation that define the region.
On state assessment results, Southside's proficiency in English language arts sits in the lowest range among districts in Anderson County, with the school falling to the bottom quartile on an overall proficiency index across tested subjects. Math results are similarly below the midpoint for the county. The school tested a modest cohort of third graders in math; a much smaller group took the Spanish-language assessment version, with proficiency substantially lower there. Reading and writing results show higher rates of students meeting basic expectations (approaching standard) than those hitting or exceeding the proficient threshold. In math, approaching proficiency rates are also higher than proficient rates. The data available covers only the most recent school year, so trend information is not present.
A substantial share of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting economic circumstances in the school's catchment area. Enrollment data for special education and English learner students were not available. The school does not have a graduation rate because it serves only elementary grades.
Palestine ISD has recently approved a major capital bond to build a new career and technology education center and renovate aging facilities, the district's first such investment in decades. Those improvements lie ahead for the elementary grades, but the district's focus on CTE pathways signals an orientation toward career-ready and technical skills that will shape the secondary experience for Southside students as they advance.
For families considering this school, the main question is reading level and math proficiency. If your child is reading or computing above grade level, the peer environment may feel undemanding. If your child struggles with foundational skills, the school's proficiency results suggest you may want to ask directly how the school identifies students who need intervention, what reading or math support is available, and how parents can track progress. The South Side neighborhood itself has deep roots in Palestine's history, with large older homes built by railroad-era professionals, so the setting carries a particular character within the community.
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