Ellis County Schools & Education
Ellis County, Texas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
50/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
93.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,250
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,498
School Score
50/100
Higher = better
State avg 56/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#177
of 253 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Ellis County
School Verdict
Ellis County performs at an average level with a school score of 50/100 and a solid graduation rate of 93.7%.
Funding Context
At $6,250 per pupil, Ellis County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Ellis County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% below the Texas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 17% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Ellis County, Texas
Rapidly Growing Suburban Infrastructure
Ellis County hosts 72 public schools across 11 districts, supporting a large student body of 43,941. The landscape is dominated by 39 elementary schools and 13 high schools as the area continues to expand.
Elite Graduation and Efficient Spending
Students here excel with a 93.7% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than both state and national benchmarks. This success comes despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,250, well below the national average of $13,000.
Midlothian and Waxahachie Lead
Midlothian ISD and Waxahachie ISD are the heavy hitters, each serving nearly 11,000 students. While traditional districts are the norm, five charter schools provide alternative options for local families.
A Mix of Suburban and Rural Charm
The county is split between 34 rural schools and 31 suburban campuses, with an average school size of 619. Massive facilities like Waxahachie High School enroll nearly 3,000 students, offering comprehensive extracurricular and academic programs.
Top Choice for Dallas Commuters
Ellis County is a premier destination for families wanting high graduation rates and a mix of suburban and rural living. Look for homes in Waxahachie or Midlothian to join districts that consistently outperform national academic benchmarks.
School Overview
Total Schools
72
in Ellis County
Total Enrollment
43,941
students
School Districts
11
districts
Charter Schools
5
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
11 School Districts in Ellis County
MIDLOTHIAN ISD
WAXAHACHIE ISD
RED OAK ISD
ENNIS ISD
WAXAHACHIE FAITH FAMILY ACADEMY
FERRIS ISD
PALMER ISD
MAYPEARL ISD
ITALY ISD
AVALON ISD
72 Public Schools in Ellis County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAXAHACHIE H S | WAXAHACHIE ISD | 8–12 | High | 2,963 |
| RED OAK H S | RED OAK ISD | 9–12 | High | 2,160 |
| MIDLOTHIAN H S | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | 9–12 | High | 1,994 |
| ENNIS H S | ENNIS ISD | 9–12 | High | 1,791 |
| RED OAK MIDDLE | RED OAK ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 1,546 |
| MIDLOTHIAN HERITAGE H S | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | 9–12 | High | 1,490 |
| LIFE H S WAXAHACHIE | LIFE SCHOOL | 9–12 | Charter | 1,048 |
| LIFE SCHOOL RED OAK | LIFE SCHOOL | KG–6 | Charter | 1,037 |
| WALNUT GROVE MIDDLE | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 992 |
| EARL & MARTHALU DIETERICH MIDDLE | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 947 |
| ENNIS J H | ENNIS ISD | 7–8 | Middle | 886 |
| COLEMAN J H | WAXAHACHIE ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 829 |
| FERRIS H S | FERRIS ISD | 9–12 | High | 821 |
| FINLEY J H | WAXAHACHIE ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 816 |
| HOWARD J H | WAXAHACHIE ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 758 |
| WEDGEWORTH EL | WAXAHACHIE ISD | KG–5 | Primary | 702 |
| RUSSELL P SCHUPMANN EL | RED OAK ISD | PK–5 | Primary | 682 |
| DOLORES MCCLATCHEY EL | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | KG–5 | Primary | 679 |
| FRANK SEALE MIDDLE | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 671 |
| LONGBRANCH EL | MIDLOTHIAN ISD | PK–5 | Primary | 652 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,250
State avg $7,498
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Ellis County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Ellis County?
How much does Ellis County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Ellis County, Texas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Ellis County, Texas?
Ellis County hosts 72 public schools across 11 districts, supporting a large student body of 43,941. The landscape is dominated by 39 elementary schools and 13 high schools as the area continues to expand.
How do schools in Ellis County perform academically?
Students here excel with a 93.7% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than both state and national benchmarks. This success comes despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,250, well below the national average of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Ellis County, Texas?
Midlothian ISD and Waxahachie ISD are the heavy hitters, each serving nearly 11,000 students. While traditional districts are the norm, five charter schools provide alternative options for local families.
What is the school experience like in Ellis County?
The county is split between 34 rural schools and 31 suburban campuses, with an average school size of 619. Massive facilities like Waxahachie High School enroll nearly 3,000 students, offering comprehensive extracurricular and academic programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Ellis County, Texas?
Ellis County is a premier destination for families wanting high graduation rates and a mix of suburban and rural living. Look for homes in Waxahachie or Midlothian to join districts that consistently outperform national academic benchmarks.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.