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
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Elma E Barrera EL — Students at Elma E Barrera EL score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.8%
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: 2.6/10.
How Elma E Barrera EL Compares
See how Elma E Barrera EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 27% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (956) 636-9870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 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.