SOUTHSIDE EL

Set in PALESTINE, Texas, SOUTHSIDE EL is an average-sized elementary-level community, overseen by PALESTINE ISD. It serves 442 students across grades 2 through 3.

SOUTHSIDE EL is one of 6 schools operated by PALESTINE ISD, a district that hosts 3,186 students overall.

Demographically, SOUTHSIDE EL reports that 41% of students identify as Hispanic, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. Beyond that, the school logs 29% White, 22% Black, 6% multiracial. By comparison, Anderson County as a whole is about 20% Hispanic, so the school skews meaningfully more Hispanic than its surroundings.

On the resource side, SOUTHSIDE EL records 31 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 14.5:1. The state averages about 15.1:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. About 82% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Anderson County runs at roughly 68%, so the school's eligibility rate is above the surrounding baseline.

After controlling for student poverty, SOUTHSIDE EL tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 38.2% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 41.5%.

In the surrounding community, Anderson County reports that median household earnings sit near $62,068, 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 14%. Across Anderson County's 26 public schools (combined enrollment of about 8,071 students), SOUTHSIDE EL is one campus in the mix.

PALESTINE H S is the nearest neighboring public school, about 1.2 miles from this campus. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts SOUTHSIDE EL at 3rd of 6; the average score across the group is 41.2%.

The school occupies a town-based site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at SOUTHSIDE EL has edged down 9%, going from 488 students in 2018 to 442 in 2025. Over the same period, the Black share ticked down from 30% to 22%.

On the community side, the feed for SOUTHSIDE EL typically covers science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.