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Below Average

#6898 of 8,552 schools in TX

Jefferson EL

Elementary School · HARLINGEN CISD

601 S J ST, Harlingen, TX 78550

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,898 of 8,552

In Harlingen

#32 of 32

public schools

In district

#29 of 29

HARLINGEN CISD

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson EL

4.6/10

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

Lamar EL

5.0/10

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

Bowie EL

7.2/10

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

About Jefferson EL

Jefferson EL is a public elementary school in Harlingen, TX, part of HARLINGEN CISD. Jefferson EL serves approximately 255 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,898 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson EL show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,586
Chronic Absenteeism10.6%

Jefferson EL — Students at Jefferson EL score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
32.4%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
27%
ELA
34%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Jefferson EL Compares

See how Jefferson EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in TX
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

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

601 S J ST, Harlingen, TX 78550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BOWIE EL (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ZAVALA EL (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LAMAR EL Harlingen 0.4 mi 5.0
BOWIE EL Harlingen 0.6 mi 7.2
CROCKETT EL Harlingen 0.7 mi 6.9
HARLINGEN H S - SOUTH Harlingen 1.1 mi 6.9
TRAVIS EL Harlingen 1.1 mi 6.1
HOUSTON EL Harlingen 1.1 mi 5.7
ZAVALA EL Harlingen 1.2 mi 7.2
COAKLEY MIDDLE Harlingen 1.2 mi 4.9
DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen 1.3 mi 6.2
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlingen 1.4 mi 6.4
AUSTIN EL Harlingen 1.5 mi 6.5
BEN MILAM EL Harlingen 1.7 mi 6.2
JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio 1.5 mi 5.1
EDNA TAMAYO HOUSE Harlingen 1.7 mi
VERNON MIDDLE Harlingen 1.6 mi 6.4
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harlingen 1.9 mi 6.4
HARLINGEN H S Harlingen 2.0 mi 5.8
ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Harlingen 2.0 mi 7.8
SECONDARY ALTER CTR Harlingen 2.1 mi 5.2
GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen 2.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,524

Median Home Value

$120,500

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

54,169

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACADEMY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Little River, TX 4.6
BETH YESHURUN DAY SCHOOL Houston, TX 4.6
CATER EL Temple, TX 4.6
CLEAR SPRING EL San Antonio, TX 4.6
EMELINE CARPENTER EL Nacogdoches, TX 4.6
HAMLIN COLLEGIATE EL Hamlin, TX 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson EL

What grades does Jefferson EL serve?

Jefferson EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Jefferson EL?

Jefferson EL has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson EL is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson EL rank in TX?

Jefferson EL ranks #6,898 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Jefferson EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Jefferson EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson EL has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Jefferson EL a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson EL a Title I school?

No, Jefferson EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson EL?

98.0% of students at Jefferson 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
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

District

HARLINGEN CISD
District Enrollment
16,780
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,586
District Rank
#29 of 29

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