The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Wedgeworth El
Wedgeworth Elementary is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school in Waxahachie, a fast-growing town about thirty miles south of Dallas. The school enrolls students across the full elementary span with a student body that is roughly half Hispanic, a quarter white, and a sixth Black. About two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting substantial economic need in the enrollment.
The school's testing results show mixed academic performance. In English language arts, fifth graders perform markedly better than third graders, with a majority of fifth graders meeting or exceeding grade-level standards while fewer than four in ten third graders do. Fourth grade English results from the Spanish-language assessment show very low proficiency, though the tested group in that grade was small. In math, the pattern is less encouraging: third and fourth graders show minimal proficiency on the Spanish-language version of the assessment, while the small number of fifth graders taking that version made proficiency data unavailable. Fifth-grade math proficiency on the English assessment sits below half. Science results are notably weak across the board, with roughly one in eight fifth graders meeting or exceeding standards. Across all subjects, a majority of students perform at or above the "approaches" level, meaning they have some grasp of grade-level material, but the proportion meeting or exceeding full grade-level standards is lower. Mastery-level performance across subjects is sparse.
When positioned against other districts in Ellis County, Wedgeworth's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This reflects a school working with significant economic constraints and student needs.
The school sits in Waxahachie, a town whose character blends historic downtown preservation with suburban residential sprawl. The downtown courthouse square houses civic anchors like the Sims Library and the Ellis County Museum, with antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants, and serves as a designated Texas Main Street district. Most family life, however, happens in the surrounding neighborhoods and subdivisions, as schools themselves sit on separate suburban campuses. The town is growing substantially. Major employers include manufacturing (United States Aluminum, historically rooted there), health care through Baylor Scott & White, the school district itself, and newer distribution and logistics centers, including facilities tied to larger regional developers. Housing costs are moderate relative to the broader Dallas region, with a typical home value in the mid-range and median rent somewhat modest.
Growth is rapid. Waxahachie is adding thousands of residents annually as new master-planned communities and subdivisions expand west and south. This growth is reshaping the school district's capacity needs. In 2023, voters approved a major bond to build new and expanded facilities, including a second comprehensive high school opening in 2027-28. The district has also lowered its property tax rate for five consecutive years, a concrete cost factor for families relocating. The combination of growth, new construction, and tax management signals ongoing change. For families enrolling at Wedgeworth, the school is serving a diverse, economically mixed student body during a period of district expansion and infrastructure investment. A parent may want to look further into what specific supports the school offers to address the reading and math proficiency gaps evident in the data, and how the school is structured to help younger students build stronger foundational skills.
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