For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,148 students in Cherokee County, TX (there are , serving 136 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Cherokee County, TX are educated in public schools (compared to the TX state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, TX are Rusk Elementary School, East Side Elementary School and Rusk J High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, TX public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Texas public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Texas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Texas public school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rusk Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 N Henderson St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2595
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2595
Grades: 2-3
| 329 students
Rank: #22.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
711 Ft Worth St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5146
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5146
Grades: PK-4
| 607 students
Rank: #33.
Rusk J High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1345 S Main St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2502
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2502
Grades: 6-8
| 493 students
Rank: #44.
Alto Middle School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
240 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7140
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7140
Grades: 5-8
| 156 students
Rank: #55.
New Summerfield School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
13307 Hwy 110 S
New Summerfield, TX 75780
(903) 726-3306
New Summerfield, TX 75780
(903) 726-3306
Grades: PK-12
| 511 students
Rank: #66.
Rusk Intermediate School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1143 Loop 343 W
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-1726
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-1726
Grades: 4-5
| 268 students
Rank: #77.
Fred Douglass
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1501 E Pine
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-6519
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-6519
Grades: PK-4
| 600 students
Rank: #88.
Joe Wright Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1055 N Pineda St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5286
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5286
Grades: PK-4
| 525 students
Rank: #99.
Alto Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
236 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7170
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7170
Grades: PK-4
| 201 students
Rank: #1010.
Jacksonville High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1210 Corinth Rd
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3661
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3661
Grades: 9-12
| 1,364 students
Rank: #1111.
Wells School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
160 Rusk Ave
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Grades: PK-12
| 242 students
Rank: #1212.
Jacksonville Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1541 E Pine
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3686
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3686
Grades: 7-8
| 645 students
Rank: #1313.
Nichols Intermediate School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
818 S W Loop 456
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 541-0213
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 541-0213
Grades: 5-6
| 659 students
Rank: #1414.
Rusk High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
495 Eagle Dr
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-5401
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-5401
Grades: 9-12
| 603 students
Rank: #1515.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1105 College Ave
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5165
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5165
Grades: PK-4
| 400 students
Rank: #1616.
Alto High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
248 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7110
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7110
Grades: 9-12
| 147 students
Rank: n/an/a
Compass Center
Alternative School
436 S W Loop 456
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 589-3926
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 589-3926
Grades: 4-12
| 34 students
Rank: n/an/a
440 Collins St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-6106
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-6106
Grades: PK-1
| 364 students
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
160 Rusk Ave
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Grades: PK-6
| 146 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, TX?
The top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, TX include Rusk Elementary School, East Side Elementary School and Rusk J High School.
How many public schools are located in Cherokee County?
18 public schools are located in Cherokee County.
What percentage of students in Cherokee County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Cherokee County are educated in public schools (compared to the TX state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Texas public schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cherokee County include: Alto Elementary School vs. Fred Douglass, West Side Elementary School vs. Joe Wright Elementary School, East Side Elementary School vs. Joe Wright Elementary School
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