Top 30 Elementary Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas is home to a diverse and high-performing array of elementary schools, recognized by multiple authoritative sources for their academic excellence and commitment to student achievement across all grade levels. Rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Texas Education Agency’s Lone Star Ribbon Schools program, and Children At Risk highlight institutions across the state that demonstrate exceptional student proficiency in reading and mathematics while effectively closing achievement gaps among diverse student populations.

These schools represent a mix of traditional public, charter, and magnet campuses serving students from various communities throughout the Lone Star State.

Top 20 Elementary Schools In Texas

1. William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas)

This Dallas ISD magnet school is ranked No. 2 in Texas for elementary education by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its exceptional academic standards and commitment to gifted education. The school serves academically talented and gifted students with a rigorous curriculum that consistently produces outstanding results in reading and mathematics, making it one of the most highly regarded campuses in the state for nurturing young scholars and preparing them for advanced academic pursuits.

2. Carver Center (Midland)

Carver Center is a top-performing elementary school in Midland, ranked among the best in Texas by U.S. News for its outstanding student outcomes and commitment to academic excellence across all subjects. The school serves grades 1 through 6 with a student enrollment of 510 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, achieving exceptional scores of 97% proficiency on state assessments that place it among the very best in the state for student achievement.

3. South Bosque Elementary (Waco)

Part of Midway ISD, South Bosque Elementary is ranked No. 84 in Texas, placing it in the top 1.2% of over 6,600 elementary schools statewide, a remarkable achievement that reflects its consistent academic excellence. This recognition from U.S. News & World Report highlights the school’s outstanding academic performance and its commitment to fostering a challenging and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

4. Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy (Dallas)

This Dallas ISD academy is ranked No. 6 in Texas for elementary education, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional instruction for gifted learners in a supportive environment. With a focus on gifted and talented education, the school serves grades 4-8 with 442 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, consistently delivering exceptional academic outcomes that place it among the elite institutions in the state.

5. Lakewood Elementary School (Dallas)

Lakewood Elementary is ranked No. 11 among Texas elementary schools, a testament to its strong academic programs and dedicated faculty who work tirelessly to support student success . As part of Dallas ISD, this campus has earned recognition for its strong student performance on state-required assessments in reading and mathematics, making it a top choice for families seeking academic excellence in the Dallas area.

6. School for Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove (Dallas)

This Dallas ISD campus is ranked No. 17 in Texas, reflecting its strong commitment to providing rigorous and challenging instruction for academically talented students. The school focuses on academically talented and gifted education, delivering exceptional proficiency rates that place it among the state’s top-performing elementary schools and making it a valued educational resource in the Pleasant Grove community.

7. Woodway Elementary (Waco)

Part of Midway ISD, Woodway Elementary is ranked in the top 6.5% of over 6,600 elementary schools in Texas, according to U.S. News & World Report, a remarkable accomplishment for this dedicated campus. The school’s recognition reflects its strong academic program and student performance, demonstrating that Waco-area families have access to some of the finest elementary education available in the entire state.

8. Eastwood Knolls International (El Paso)

This Ysleta ISD campus is ranked No. 4 among Top 10 elementary schools in West Texas by Children At Risk, highlighting its position as a leader in the region’s educational landscape. The school’s international focus and strong academic performance have earned it a place among the region’s top-ranked institutions, offering students a unique educational experience that prepares them for global citizenship and academic success.

9. East Point Elementary (El Paso)

Part of Ysleta ISD, East Point Elementary is ranked No. 6 in West Texas and has been recognized as a Gold Ribbon School for its outstanding academic performance and commitment to serving a high-poverty student population with excellence and dedication. This recognition reflects the school’s success in providing high-quality education to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, making it a model for educational equity in the region.

10. IDEA Mays Academy (San Antonio)

IDEA Mays Academy is the highest-ranking IDEA elementary school, ranked among the top 8% in Texas by U.S. News & World Report, a testament to the IDEA network’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. It is also recognized as one of the top charter elementary schools in the state, demonstrating strong student proficiency in reading and mathematics that rivals the best traditional public schools in Texas.

11. IDEA Quest Academy (Rio Grande Valley)

This IDEA Public Schools campus is ranked among the top charter elementary schools in Texas, reflecting its strong academic program and dedication to serving the Rio Grande Valley community with excellence. The school serves the Rio Grande Valley region and has earned recognition for its strong academic performance and student outcomes, making it a vital educational resource for families in this growing part of the state.

12. IDEA Carver Academy (San Antonio)

IDEA Carver Academy is recognized as one of the top charter elementary schools in Texas, demonstrating the IDEA network’s consistent commitment to academic excellence and student achievement across all its campuses. This San Antonio campus demonstrates strong student proficiency and is part of the IDEA network’s commitment to academic excellence, providing families with a high-quality public school option in the San Antonio area.

13. House Creek Elementary (Copperas Cove)

House Creek Elementary is the first National Blue Ribbon School in Copperas Cove ISD and is ranked 402nd out of more than 6,000 elementary schools in Texas, a significant achievement for this dedicated campus. At this campus, 68% of students scored proficient or better in reading and 67% in math, demonstrating strong academic performance that places it among the better schools in the state for student outcomes.

14. Martin Walker Elementary (Copperas Cove)

Martin Walker Elementary is rated an “A” campus by the Texas Education Agency and checked in at #583 in Texas, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and student achievement across all grade levels. The school saw 64% of students score proficient or better in reading and 62% in math, demonstrating consistent student performance that makes it a valued educational resource in the Copperas Cove community.

15. Vista Hills Elementary (El Paso)

This Ysleta ISD campus is ranked No. 7 among Top 10 elementary schools in West Texas by Children At Risk, reflecting its strong academic program and dedication to student success in the El Paso region . The school’s strong academic performance and commitment to student achievement have earned it a place among the region’s best, making it a top choice for families seeking exceptional elementary education in West Texas.

16. Ramona STEM Academy (El Paso)

Ramona STEM Academy is ranked No. 8 in West Texas and has been recognized as a Gold Ribbon School for its high performance and success in serving economically disadvantaged students with outstanding educational programs. The school focuses on STEM education and academic excellence, preparing students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through innovative and engaging instruction.

17. Ysleta Elementary (El Paso)

Ysleta Elementary is ranked No. 9 among Top 10 elementary schools in West Texas, reflecting its strong academic program and commitment to serving the Ysleta community with excellence. This campus demonstrates strong academic performance and is part of Ysleta ISD’s tradition of educational excellence, providing families in the El Paso region with a trusted and reliable elementary school option.

18. Glen Cove Elementary (El Paso)

Glen Cove Elementary is ranked No. 10 in West Texas and has been recognized as a Gold Ribbon School for its outstanding academic achievement and success in closing achievement gaps among its diverse student population. This recognition reflects the school’s success in providing high-quality education to all students, regardless of their background, making it a model of educational equity in the region.

19. Meyer Elementary (Lamar CISD)

Meyer Elementary is recognized as a Lone Star Ribbon School by the Texas Education Agency, honoring its outstanding academic performance and efforts to close achievement gaps among student populations. This designation reflects the school’s commitment to academic excellence and equity, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or circumstances.

20. Rosemeade Elementary (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD)

Rosemeade Elementary is a 2025 Lone Star Ribbon School recognized by the Texas Education Agency for its exceptional academic achievement and meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps across all student groups. This recognition highlights the school’s dedication to providing high-quality education to all students and its success in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full academic potential.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Evaluating Elementary Schools

Start by consulting multiple ranking sources to get a comprehensive view of school performance, as different organizations emphasize different criteria and provide valuable perspectives on school quality. U.S. News & World Report provides state-level rankings based on math and reading proficiency, while the Texas Education Agency’s Lone Star Ribbon Schools program recognizes campuses for outstanding academic performance and closing achievement gaps across diverse student populations.

Look at proficiency rates in reading and mathematics; top schools like Carver Center achieve 97% proficiency, while House Creek Elementary scores 68% in reading and 67% in math, providing clear benchmarks for comparison.

Consider the school’s student-teacher ratio, as smaller class sizes often allow for more individualized attention and can significantly impact student learning outcomes.

For families in specific regions, regional rankings like Children At Risk’s West Texas Top 10 can identify standout local schools that may not appear on national lists but excel in their communities.

Finally, review a school’s TEA rating and distinction designations, as these provide insights into overall campus performance and areas of excellence that can help you make an informed decision about your child’s education.

Closing

Texas offers a wealth of excellent elementary schools recognized by multiple authoritative sources for their academic excellence and commitment to student achievement across diverse communities throughout the state. From Dallas ISD’s top-ranked William B. Travis Academy to Midway ISD’s South Bosque Elementary, the state’s highest-performing schools demonstrate exceptional student outcomes in reading and mathematics that rival the best in the nation. The inclusion of charter schools like IDEA Mays Academy and Gold Ribbon Schools like those in Ysleta ISD reflects the diversity of educational options available to Texas families seeking high-quality instruction for their children.

When evaluating elementary schools, families should consider multiple ranking sources, proficiency data, and school-specific programs to find the best fit for their children’s unique needs and learning styles. Note that all information, including rankings and proficiency data, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through official district and state resources to make informed decisions about your child’s educational future.