Needs Improvement
#8315 of 8,547 schools in TX
Ben Milam EL
Elementary School · HARLINGEN CISD
407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlingen
#32 of 32
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,465 of 4,678
In district
#29 of 29
HARLINGEN CISD
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Ben Milam EL
BEN MILAM ELEMENTARY is a regular public school located in Harlingen, Texas. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 370 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at BEN MILAM ELEMENTARY currently ranks in the 3rd percentile among Texas schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.2 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 1.5 out of 10.
Students perform around 30% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficient or above in Math. While the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth, it offers a supportive community for young learners. BEN MILAM ELEMENTARY sits in a small city setting, providing students with a close-knit environment to thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Ben Milam EL — Students at Ben Milam EL score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.4/10.
How Ben Milam EL Compares
See how Ben Milam EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2021).
Location
407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Milam EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRAVIS EL (rated 6.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HORIZON MONTESSORI III - STEM ACADEMY (rated 6.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HARLINGEN H S - SOUTH Harlingen | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| LAMAR EL Harlingen | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| BOWIE EL Harlingen | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| HOUSTON EL Harlingen | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| COAKLEY MIDDLE Harlingen | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| JEFFERSON EL Harlingen | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| SECONDARY ALTER CTR Harlingen | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| TRAVIS EL Harlingen | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| CROCKETT EL Harlingen | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlingen | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| VERNON MIDDLE Harlingen | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| HORIZON MONTESSORI III - STEM ACADEMY Harlingen | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| MOISES VELA MIDDLE Harlingen | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| ZAVALA EL Harlingen | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| AUSTIN EL Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 4.1 |
| HARLINGEN COLLEGIATE H S Harlingen | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| RGV YOUTH RECOVERY HOME San Benito | 2.9 mi | — |
| DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| TREASURE HILLS EL Harlingen | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,524
Median Home Value
$120,500
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
54,169
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
52.7%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Median Age
33.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Milam EL has a median household income of $51,524. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,500, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| BRISCOE EL Houston, TX | 3.3 |
| BROWN EL Austin, TX | 3.3 |
| JUAN N SEGUIN EL Eagle Pass, TX | 3.3 |
| L G ALARCON EL San Elizario, TX | 3.3 |
| LA PALOMA EL San Benito, TX | 3.3 |
| OLESON EL Houston, TX | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Milam EL
What grades does Ben Milam EL serve?
Ben Milam EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ben Milam EL?
Ben Milam EL has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Milam EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Milam EL is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ben Milam EL rank in TX?
Ben Milam EL is ranked #8315 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Ben Milam EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Milam EL has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Ben Milam EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Milam EL has 34.5% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ben Milam EL a charter school?
No, Ben Milam EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ben Milam EL a Title I school?
No, Ben Milam EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Milam EL?
98.9% of students at Ben Milam 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,994/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlingen). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cameron County
- Phone
- (956) 427-3150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HARLINGEN CISD- District Enrollment
- 16,780
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,586
- District Rank
- #29 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.