The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tisd Child & Adolescent School
TISD Child & Adolescent School is a small, alternative or specialized program school within Terrell ISD serving grades seven through twelve. It holds about twenty-seven students across the grade span, with a roster that is split roughly evenly between white and Black students, a smaller Hispanic enrollment, and a share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school operates in Terrell, a growing city in Kaufman County northeast of Dallas that is experiencing rapid residential and commercial development tied to the county's status as one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
The school's academic profile reflects the type of program it appears to be. State testing data for grades six and seven show extremely sparse enrollment—single-digit tested students in most cases—which is typical of small, specialized, or alternative schools. For grade eight, where testing is reported more fully, the results show very low proficiency. Across math, science, and social studies at that grade level, the overwhelming majority of students did not meet state proficiency standards. In English language arts at grade eight, about one in five students scored at or above proficiency. These numbers sit well below the median for schools across Kaufman County's districts. A parent may want to look into this further with the school directly to understand the student population it serves, the instructional model, the student needs being addressed, and how proficiency gains are tracked over time within the program context.
The school's naming—Child & Adolescent School—and its small size suggest it may be a specialized setting, possibly for students with behavioral health needs, social-emotional challenges, or other circumstances that led to placement in a non-traditional program. If that is the case, state test results alone do not capture the school's full mission or success measures. Schools serving at-risk or specialized populations often prioritize re-engagement, attendance, behavioral stability, skill-building, and pathways back to traditional school settings alongside academic metrics. A parent considering this program should ask the school about its specific purpose, what student needs it addresses, how long students typically stay, whether there is a pathway to return to a regular campus, and what supports and staffing are in place.
Terrell ISD itself has undergone several changes recently that affect all families in the district. The district adopted a four-day school week, with students in class Monday through Thursday and Fridays closed. Childcare is available on Fridays for younger students through a grant, but families with older students need to plan accordingly. Transportation has also shifted; the district now buses only students living a certain distance or farther from their zoned school, requiring families closer to campus to arrange their own transport. Voters approved a substantial bond in May 2025 to build new schools and upgrade existing ones, reflecting enrollment growth expected to continue over the next decade. In the 2026-2027 school year, three new choice schools are opening districtwide, including a STEM Academy and a College Preparatory Academy, which may offer different pathways for students. The district context matters when evaluating any individual school within it.
Terrell itself is a small city of about twenty-seven square miles with a historic downtown core focused on Moore Avenue and a surrounding landscape of residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and industrial parks. The area is affordable by regional standards, with housing costs below state and national benchmarks. Employment centers on manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, healthcare, and retail. The city is in the midst of rapid growth, with multiple large master-planned communities approved or under development. That growth is driving the school capacity needs that Terrell ISD is addressing through its bond and new school construction.
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