The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Math. The lowest is 20% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on J W Long El
J W Long Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Terrell, a fast-growing community in Kaufman County. The school enrolled a student body of roughly mid-sized proportions for an elementary school, with a substantial majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is diverse, with Hispanic students making up the largest share, followed by white and Black students, with smaller Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other represented groups.
The school's academic performance shows difficulty across tested grades and subjects. In fourth and fifth grade mathematics, where the most recent data is available, proficiency rates sit in a range that leaves room for improvement. Fourth grade math proficiency is low, and fifth grade math proficiency, while slightly higher, still reflects that a clear majority of students are not meeting grade-level standards. Reading results across fourth and fifth grade show similarly low proficiency. The school's overall proficiency rate, calculated across all tested subjects, places it in the bottom quartile among the seven districts in Kaufman County. Third grade results are incomplete due to small test-taking cohorts, particularly among Spanish-language assessments, so those grades provide limited evidence. Science testing appears only in fifth grade Spanish administration, with a very small sample.
Terrell ISD as a whole is experiencing substantial change. Voters approved a major bond package in 2025 to build a new elementary school, acquire land for a middle school, and fund renovations and safety upgrades across seven campuses, responding to rapid residential growth projected to add hundreds of students over the next decade. The district also operates a four-day school week, with students attending Monday through Thursday and engaging in independent learning on Fridays, a schedule now in place since 2023. Beginning in 2024-25, the district limited bus transportation to students living a certain distance or more from their zoned school, shifting responsibility for shorter commutes to families. Additionally, the district announced that starting in 2026-27, JW Long will become home to a new STEM Academy, expanding specialized academic pathways for families in the district.
Terrell itself is a historic small town near the DFW metroplex, home to a walkable downtown core along Moore Avenue anchored by long-tenured shops and a parks and downtown improvement district. The city is experiencing rapid commercial and residential development as part of Kaufman County's standing as one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Multiple master-planned communities are underway or approved, and new mixed-use projects include major retail development. Housing values and rents in the 75160 zip code are below state and national medians, and affordability metrics suggest that monthly mortgage and rent payments are manageable relative to household income for families in the area.
A parent considering J W Long should anticipate a school in transition. Current academic performance is below district averages within the county, and the proficiency data shows that student achievement in foundational math and reading skills needs attention. At the same time, the district is investing significantly in infrastructure and launching specialized programs, including the STEM Academy that will operate at this building starting in 2026-27. A parent may want to explore with the school what supports and interventions are in place for the students currently there, how the transition to STEM Academy programming will unfold, and whether the school's approach to instruction aligns with their expectations. The four-day week and transportation policy are logistical realities that deserve attention when evaluating whether the schedule works for a family's needs.
See more original research from School Decision →