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Below Average

#6640 of 8,552 schools in TX

Dr Thomas Esparza EL

Elementary School · EDINBURG CISD

P O BOX 990, Edinburg, TX 78539

Enrollment

520

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,640 of 8,552

In Edinburg

#47 of 52

public schools

In district

#39 of 42

EDINBURG CISD

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Dr Thomas Esparza EL

4.8/10

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

Betts EL

6.0/10

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

Idea Toros College Preparatory

7.0/10

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

About Dr Thomas Esparza EL

Dr Thomas Esparza EL is a public elementary school in Edinburg, TX, part of EDINBURG CISD. Dr Thomas Esparza EL serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Dr Thomas Esparza EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #6,640 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Dr Thomas Esparza EL show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,129
Chronic Absenteeism15.4%

Dr Thomas Esparza EL — Students at Dr Thomas Esparza EL score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 64.8% (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
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
86%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
81%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
42%
ELA
43%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Dr Thomas Esparza EL Compares

See how Dr Thomas Esparza EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
22th percentile in TX
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

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

P O BOX 990, Edinburg, TX 78539

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr Thomas Esparza EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AUSTIN EL (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ESCANDON EL (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN EL (rated 7.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Edinburg, see our Edinburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BETTS EL Edinburg 0.1 mi 6.0
IDEA TOROS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Edinburg 1.0 mi 7.0
EDINBURG H S Edinburg 1.4 mi 6.3
CANO-GONZALEZ EL Edinburg 1.6 mi 6.8
MACARIA DELA GARZA GORENA EL Edinburg 1.7 mi 7.0
L B JOHNSON EL Edinburg 2.1 mi 7.1
HIDALGO CO J J A E P Donna 2.4 mi
HIDALGO CO J J A E P Edinburg 2.4 mi
JUVENILE DETENTION CTR Edinburg 2.4 mi
HIDALGO CO J J A E P Mission 2.4 mi
HIDALGO CO J J A E P Weslaco 2.4 mi
VANGUARD BEETHOVEN Edinburg 2.2 mi 6.3
TRAVIS EL Edinburg 2.3 mi 6.2
FRANCISCO BARRIENTES MIDDLE Edinburg 2.4 mi 6.9
ESCANDON EL Edinburg 2.5 mi 7.4
ROBERT R VELA H S Edinburg 2.5 mi 7.6
ECONOMEDES H S Edinburg 2.8 mi 4.8
LINCOLN EL Edinburg 2.9 mi 7.3
AUSTIN EL Edinburg 2.9 mi 8.2
EDINBURG COLLEGIATE H S Edinburg 3.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78539 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,864

Median Home Value

$198,300

Median Rent

$1,034/mo

Population

38,162

College Educated

36.8%

Homeownership

55.2%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

21%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALKEK EL Bandera, TX 4.8
ANTHONY EL Anthony, TX 4.8
BENAVIDES HEIGHTS EL Eagle Pass, TX 4.8
BLUE HAZE EL Fort Worth, TX 4.8
BONHAM EL Bryan, TX 4.8
BRAUCHLE EL San Antonio, TX 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr Thomas Esparza EL

What grades does Dr Thomas Esparza EL serve?

Dr Thomas Esparza EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dr Thomas Esparza EL?

Dr Thomas Esparza EL has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr Thomas Esparza EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr Thomas Esparza EL is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr Thomas Esparza EL rank in TX?

Dr Thomas Esparza EL ranks #6,640 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Dr Thomas Esparza EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr Thomas Esparza EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Dr Thomas Esparza EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr Thomas Esparza EL has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Dr Thomas Esparza EL a charter school?

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

Is Dr Thomas Esparza EL a Title I school?

No, Dr Thomas Esparza EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr Thomas Esparza EL?

91.5% of students at Dr Thomas Esparza 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hidalgo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

District

EDINBURG CISD
District Enrollment
33,810
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,129
District Rank
#39 of 42

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