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Very Good

#1791 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 21% in state

Garza EL

Elementary School · BROWNSVILLE ISD

200 ESPERANZA RD, Brownsville, TX 78521

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brownsville

#14 of 66

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#1,031 of 4,678

In district

#8 of 51

BROWNSVILLE ISD

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Garza EL

GARZA EL is an elementary school located in the heart of Brownsville, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, GARZA EL has a total enrollment of 262 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school is well-equipped to support its diverse student population.

Academically, GARZA EL ranks in the 40th percentile among Texas schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.8 out of 10. In reading and English language arts, 34% of students are proficient or above, while 42% meet proficiency standards in math. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, GARZA EL focuses on continuous student development to help every child reach their full potential.

Situated in a mid-size city, GARZA EL benefits from the vibrant community life and cultural richness of Brownsville. The school's setting offers students a variety of opportunities outside the classroom, fostering growth both academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Math vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,041
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

Garza EL — Students at Garza EL score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
43.6%
ELA Proficiency 56.5%
School
State
54.3%

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
79%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
54.6%
ELA
58.1%
2024
Math
43%
ELA
45%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.

How Garza EL Compares

See how Garza EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in TX
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
24.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

200 ESPERANZA RD, Brownsville, TX 78521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garza EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SOUTHMOST EL (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is AIKEN EL (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EGLY EL (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHMOST EL Brownsville 0.7 mi 7.0
MORNINGSIDE EL Brownsville 0.9 mi 4.2
DEL CASTILLO EL Brownsville 0.9 mi 4.4
BESTEIRO MIDDLE Brownsville 1.1 mi 7.2
AIKEN EL Brownsville 1.2 mi 6.8
CASTANEDA EL Brownsville 1.2 mi 6.5
CROMACK EL Brownsville 1.2 mi 3.8
IDEA FRONTIER ACADEMY Brownsville 1.6 mi 5.8
IDEA FRONTIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville 1.6 mi 7.9
CHAMPION EL Brownsville 1.9 mi 5.7
LOPEZ EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 1.8 mi 6.2
FAULK MIDDLE Brownsville 1.9 mi 7.6
PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 2.0 mi 6.8
CANALES EL Brownsville 2.2 mi 3.2
PALM GROVE EL Brownsville 2.4 mi 5.0
PERKINS MIDDLE Brownsville 2.6 mi 7.0
OLIVEIRA MIDDLE Brownsville 2.7 mi 7.2
EGLY EL Brownsville 2.8 mi 6.8
EL JARDIN EL Brownsville 2.7 mi 6.8
GUADALUPE REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Brownsville 2.6 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,276

Median Home Value

$90,500

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

87,860

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

59.4%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

30.6%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garza EL has a median household income of $41,276. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,500, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AUSTIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Austin, TX 7.8
BRAUN STATION EL San Antonio, TX 7.8
EARLY EL Early, TX 7.8
EARLY PRI Early, TX 7.8
GANADO EL Ganado, TX 7.8
GRAND SALINE EL Grand Saline, TX 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garza EL

What grades does Garza EL serve?

Garza EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Garza EL?

Garza EL has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garza EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Garza EL is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garza EL rank in TX?

Garza EL is ranked #1791 out of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Garza EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Garza EL has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Garza EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garza EL has 61.2% math proficiency and 56.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garza EL a charter school?

No, Garza EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Garza EL a Title I school?

No, Garza EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garza EL?

96.2% of students at Garza EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism
24.8%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BROWNSVILLE ISD
District Enrollment
37,065
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,041
District Rank
#8 of 51

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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