Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Gainesville’s public schools score below 65% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
On the state reading tests, 37% of Gainesville’s students scored proficient, below the Texas average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gainesville, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.
From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Gainesville’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas (the state reports Gainesville’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,820 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is W E Chalmers El, then Gainesville J H, then Gainesville H S. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Gainesville’s grade
C+: better than 35% of Texas school districts, #445 of 642 Texas towns. Graduation is above the Texas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gainesville, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Gainesville
Edison El
Grades PK–1 · 630 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Gainesville
Edison El
Grades PK–1 · 630 students · 18:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Gainesville
Edison El
Grades PK–1 · 630 students · 18:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Gainesville
W E Chalmers El
Grades 2–4 · 703 students · 18:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Gainesville
W E Chalmers El
Grades 2–4 · 703 students · 18:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Gainesville
W E Chalmers El
Grades 2–4 · 703 students · 18:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville Int
Grades 5–6 · 480 students · 18:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville Int
Grades 5–6 · 480 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville J H
Grades 7–8 · 422 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville J H
Grades 7–8 · 422 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville H S
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville H S
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville H S
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gainesville
Gainesville H S
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Gainesville’s public schools are run by Gainesville Independent School District. Parts of Gainesville (20% of its land) are served by Lindsay Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Gainesville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Gainesville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | C+ | Gainesville Independent |
| Lindsay | A+ | Lindsay Independent |
Every school in Gainesville
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Daep).
Questions about Gainesville’s schools
Are Gainesville’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gainesville children attend score below 65% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #445 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 33%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gainesville in?
Gainesville Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,111 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Gainesville are served by Lindsay Independent.
Where do Gainesville kids go to high school?
Gainesville H S, with 876 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Gainesville’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Gainesville Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Gainesville spend per student?
$12,820 in Gainesville Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gainesville?
Yes: St. Mary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 147 students).
Parents talk
What Gainesville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gainesville → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Texas. Stars are from neighbors.