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Below Average

#7001 of 8,547 schools in TX

Elma E Barrera EL

Elementary School · SANTA ROSA ISD

P O BOX 368, Santa Rosa, TX 78593

Enrollment

401

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Rosa

#3 of 3

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#3,540 of 4,678

In district

#3 of 3

SANTA ROSA ISD

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Elma E Barrera EL

Elma E Barrera Elementary serves 401 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth in Santa Rosa, Texas. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic standing with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #1330 out of 8598 Texas elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.

This performance is particularly noteworthy given the economic challenges facing many families in the community. Located in Cameron County near the Mexican border, the school serves a community where the median household income is $34,773 and about 34% of residents live below the poverty line. Despite these socioeconomic factors, Elma E Barrera Elementary has achieved recognition as a high-performing school in Texas, suggesting strong leadership and dedicated educators working to support student success.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a tight-knit, working-class community with a median home value of $63,700 and a population of approximately 5,000 residents. The school sits in a rural area near the small town of Santa Rosa, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and staff can build meaningful relationships with families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Elma E Barrera EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,722

Elma E Barrera EL — Students at Elma E Barrera EL score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 37.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Elma E Barrera EL Compares

See how Elma E Barrera EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in TX
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

P O BOX 368, Santa Rosa, TX 78593

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elma E Barrera EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WILSON EL (rated 6.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Harlingen), which scores notably higher. Another option is IDEA HARLINGEN ACADEMY (rated 6.0/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Harlingen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOSE BERNABE MUNOZ EL (rated 5.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby La Villa), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Rosa, see our Santa Rosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SANTA ROSA H S Santa Rosa 0.8 mi 6.7
JO NELSON MIDDLE Santa Rosa 0.8 mi 5.5
WILSON EL Harlingen 4.8 mi 6.8
DR HESIQUIO RODRIGUEZ EL Harlingen 5.0 mi 4.4
DISHMAN EL Harlingen 5.9 mi 3.5
LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Feria 7.0 mi 6.6
LA FERIA ACADEMY La Feria 7.1 mi
W B GREEN J H La Feria 7.2 mi 6.2
SAM HOUSTON EL La Feria 7.2 mi 4.8
JOSE BERNABE MUNOZ EL La Villa 6.6 mi 5.1
IDEA HARLINGEN ACADEMY Harlingen 6.8 mi 6.0
IDEA HARLINGEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY Harlingen 6.8 mi 7.3
LA VILLA MIDDLE La Villa 6.6 mi 4.2
GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen 6.9 mi 4.7
STUART PLACE EL Harlingen 7.3 mi 4.4
LA VILLA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Villa 7.0 mi 6.9
C E VAIL EL La Feria 7.8 mi 3.7
NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL La Feria 7.8 mi 6.3
JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio 7.8 mi 4.4
MOISES VELA MIDDLE Harlingen 7.9 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78593 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,194

Median Home Value

$66,900

Median Rent

$876/mo

Population

5,030

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

71.3%

Poverty Rate

28.8%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elma E Barrera EL has a median household income of $40,194. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $66,900, with a median rent of $876/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BIRDIE ALEXANDER EL Dallas, TX 4.8
BIRDVILLE EL Haltom City, TX 4.8
BOWIE EL San Angelo, TX 4.8
CANTU EL Mission, TX 4.8
CARROLL EL Frisco, TX 4.8
CARSON EL San Antonio, TX 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elma E Barrera EL

What grades does Elma E Barrera EL serve?

Elma E Barrera EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Elma E Barrera EL?

Elma E Barrera EL has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elma E Barrera EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Elma E Barrera EL is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elma E Barrera EL rank in TX?

Elma E Barrera EL is ranked #7001 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Elma E Barrera EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Elma E Barrera EL has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Elma E Barrera EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elma E Barrera EL has 37.5% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Elma E Barrera EL a charter school?

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

Is Elma E Barrera EL a Title I school?

No, Elma E Barrera EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elma E Barrera EL?

89.8% of students at Elma E Barrera 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

County Safety
Low (222/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cameron County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SANTA ROSA ISD
District Enrollment
931
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,329
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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