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Average

#3820 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 45% in state

Downs Fine Arts Academy

Elementary School · SAN BENITO CISD

1302 N DOWLING, San Benito, TX 78586

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#3,820 of 8,552

In San Benito

#8 of 23

public schools

In district

#5 of 19

SAN BENITO CISD

Equity

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Downs Fine Arts Academy

6.7/10

Elementary School in San Benito · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Miller Jordan Middle

4.1/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cash EL

7.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Downs Fine Arts Academy

Downs Fine Arts Academy is a public elementary school in San Benito, TX, part of SAN BENITO CISD. Downs Fine Arts Academy serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Downs Fine Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,820 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Downs Fine Arts Academy show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,444
Chronic Absenteeism23.3%

Downs Fine Arts Academy — Students at Downs Fine Arts Academy score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 69.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

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
89%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
34.4%
ELA
53.6%
2024
Math
53%
ELA
52%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Downs Fine Arts Academy Compares

See how Downs Fine Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in TX
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1302 N DOWLING, San Benito, TX 78586

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downs Fine Arts Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RAUL GARZA JR STEAM ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CASH EL (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, IDEA ACADEMY SAN BENITO (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Benito, see our San Benito schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MILLER JORDAN MIDDLE San Benito 0.6 mi 4.1
CASH EL San Benito 0.7 mi 7.1
GREYHOUNDS ONLINE ACADEMY San Benito 0.8 mi
ROBERTS EL San Benito 0.8 mi 2.2
GATEWAY TO GRADUATION ACADEMY San Benito 1.1 mi 3.2
FRED BOOTH San Benito 1.2 mi 3.5
RAUL GARZA JR STEAM ACADEMY San Benito 1.6 mi 7.9
SULLIVAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY San Benito 1.6 mi 4.0
SAN BENITO VETERANS MEMORIAL ACADEMY San Benito 2.0 mi 4.5
SAN BENITO H S San Benito 2.0 mi 3.9
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-SAN BENITO San Benito 2.2 mi 6.0
BERTA CABAZA MIDDLE San Benito 2.5 mi 3.7
IDEA ACADEMY SAN BENITO San Benito 2.6 mi 7.1
IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY SAN BENITO San Benito 2.6 mi 7.8
JUDGE OSCAR DE LA FUENTE EL San Benito 2.7 mi 5.3
SOUTH TEXAS ISD RISING SCHOLARS ACADEMY San Benito 2.7 mi 9.1
CAMERON CO J J A E P San Benito 2.8 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P Harlingen 2.8 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P Los Fresnos 2.8 mi 2.0
CAMERON CO J J A E P Port Isabel 2.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78586 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,158

Median Home Value

$83,200

Median Rent

$839/mo

Population

49,103

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

26.8%

Median Age

31.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLOCK HOUSE CREEK EL Leander, TX 6.7
BULLARD EARLY CHILDHOOD Bullard, TX 6.7
CHAPEL HILL PREPARATORY-A PERSONALIZED LRNING SCH Dallas, TX 6.7
CHISHOLM TRAIL EL Sanger, TX 6.7
CREEK VIEW EL College Station, TX 6.7
DEWEYVILLE EL Orange, TX 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downs Fine Arts Academy

What grades does Downs Fine Arts Academy serve?

Downs Fine Arts Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Downs Fine Arts Academy?

Downs Fine Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downs Fine Arts Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Downs Fine Arts Academy 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 Downs Fine Arts Academy rank in TX?

Downs Fine Arts Academy ranks #3,820 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Downs Fine Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Downs Fine Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Downs Fine Arts Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Downs Fine Arts Academy has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Downs Fine Arts Academy a charter school?

No, Downs Fine Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Downs Fine Arts Academy a Title I school?

No, Downs Fine Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downs Fine Arts Academy?

78.1% of students at Downs Fine Arts Academy 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

District

SAN BENITO CISD
District Enrollment
9,126
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,444
District Rank
#5 of 19

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