For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,148 students in Cherokee County, TX (there are 3 private schools, serving 135 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 Alto Middle 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 36% (versus the Texas public school average of 44%), 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 76% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rusk Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 N Henderson St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2595
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2595
Gr: 2-3 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
711 Ft Worth St
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5146
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-5146
Gr: PK-4 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Alto Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
240 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7140
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7140
Gr: 5-8 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #44.
Rusk J High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1345 S Main St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2502
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2502
Gr: 6-8 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
Rusk Intermediate School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1143 Loop 343 W
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-1726
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-1726
Gr: 4-5 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Fred Douglass
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1501 E Pine
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-6519
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-6519
Gr: PK-4 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #77.
Wells School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
160 Rusk Ave
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Wells, TX 75976
(936) 867-4400
Gr: PK-12 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
Alto Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
236 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7170
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7170
Gr: PK-4 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
New Summerfield School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13307 Hwy 110 S
New Summerfield, TX 75780
(903) 726-3306
New Summerfield, TX 75780
(903) 726-3306
Gr: PK-12 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1010.
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
Gr: PK-4 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1111.
Jacksonville Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1541 E Pine
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3686
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3686
Gr: 7-8 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1212.
Jacksonville High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1210 Corinth Rd
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3661
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 586-3661
Gr: 9-12 | 1,270 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1313.
Rusk High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
495 Eagle Dr
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-5401
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-5401
Gr: 9-12 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: PK-4 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1515.
Nichols Intermediate School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
818 S W Loop 456
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 541-0213
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 541-0213
Gr: 5-6 | 674 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1616.
Alto High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
248 Cr 2429
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7110
Alto, TX 75925
(936) 858-7110
Gr: 9-12 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
440 Collins St
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-6106
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-6106
Gr: PK-1 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
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 Alto Middle 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 76% (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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