Needs Improvement
#7920 of 8,547 schools in TX
Castaneda EL
Elementary School · BROWNSVILLE ISD
3201 LIMA ST, Brownsville, TX 78521
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brownsville
#48 of 66
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,152 of 4,678
In district
#34 of 51
BROWNSVILLE ISD
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Castaneda EL
Castaneda Elementary is a public elementary school located in the heart of Brownsville, Texas. Serving Pre-K through fifth grade students, Castaneda has an enrollment of 472 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting within a mid-size city means it benefits from the cultural and community resources that Brownsville offers.
According to MySchoolScout, Castaneda Elementary has a rating of 2.8 out of 10, placing it in the 9th percentile among Texas schools overall. In terms of academic performance, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for growth but also showing a solid foundation for improvement. Castaneda Elementary is situated in an area where the community plays a significant role in supporting the school’s educational efforts.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Castaneda EL — Students at Castaneda EL score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.5%
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: 1.8/10.
How Castaneda EL Compares
See how Castaneda EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
3201 LIMA ST, Brownsville, TX 78521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Castaneda EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GARZA EL (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DEL CASTILLO EL (rated 3.9/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CHAMPION EL (rated 3.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CROMACK EL Brownsville | 0.1 mi | 2.9 |
| DEL CASTILLO EL Brownsville | 0.4 mi | 3.9 |
| PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| FAULK MIDDLE Brownsville | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| CANALES EL Brownsville | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| GARZA EL Brownsville | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MORNINGSIDE EL Brownsville | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| OLIVEIRA MIDDLE Brownsville | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| GUADALUPE REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Brownsville | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| EGLY EL Brownsville | 1.7 mi | 3.1 |
| CHAMPION EL Brownsville | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| SOUTHMOST EL Brownsville | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| PEREZ EL Brownsville | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| PERKINS MIDDLE Brownsville | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| BROWNSVILLE EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| BESTEIRO MIDDLE Brownsville | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| AIKEN EL Brownsville | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| PUTEGNAT EL Brownsville | 2.2 mi | 2.3 |
| HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| GONZALEZ EL Brownsville | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
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 Castaneda 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Castaneda EL
What grades does Castaneda EL serve?
Castaneda EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Castaneda EL?
Castaneda EL has an enrollment of approximately 472 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Castaneda EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Castaneda EL is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Castaneda EL rank in TX?
Castaneda EL is ranked #7920 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Castaneda EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Castaneda EL has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Castaneda EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Castaneda EL has 37.0% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Castaneda EL a charter school?
No, Castaneda EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Castaneda EL a Title I school?
No, Castaneda EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castaneda EL?
97.5% of students at Castaneda 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 (2,404/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brownsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 472
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cameron County
- Phone
- (956) 548-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BROWNSVILLE ISD- District Enrollment
- 37,065
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,041
- District Rank
- #34 of 51
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
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