Needs Improvement
#8007 of 8,547 schools in TX
Jefferson EL
Elementary School · HARLINGEN CISD
601 S J ST, Harlingen, TX 78550
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlingen
#29 of 32
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,219 of 4,678
In district
#26 of 29
HARLINGEN CISD
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson EL
Jefferson Elementary in Harlingen, Texas, is a regular public school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 255 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, Jefferson provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes. The school has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping each child succeed.
Jefferson Elementary's academic performance places it in the lower tier among Texas schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8181 out of 8598 schools (5th percentile). In reading and math, 30% and 34% of students are proficient or above, respectively, indicating areas where the school can focus on improvement to better support its learners. Set in the heart of a small city, Jefferson Elementary is an integral part of the local community.
Despite facing challenges, it remains committed to fostering growth and development among its young scholars.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Jefferson EL — Students at Jefferson EL score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
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: 1.7/10.
How Jefferson EL Compares
See how Jefferson EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2021).
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 ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 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 | 5.9 |
| BOWIE EL Harlingen | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| CROCKETT EL Harlingen | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| HARLINGEN H S - SOUTH Harlingen | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| TRAVIS EL Harlingen | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| HOUSTON EL Harlingen | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| ZAVALA EL Harlingen | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| COAKLEY MIDDLE Harlingen | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlingen | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| AUSTIN EL Harlingen | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| BEN MILAM EL Harlingen | 1.7 mi | 3.3 |
| JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| EDNA TAMAYO HOUSE Harlingen | 1.7 mi | — |
| VERNON MIDDLE Harlingen | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harlingen | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| HARLINGEN H S Harlingen | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Harlingen | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| SECONDARY ALTER CTR Harlingen | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson EL has a median household income of $51,524. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,500, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANGELA GERUSA LEAL EL San Benito, TX | 3.8 |
| BENITO JUAREZ EL Crystal City, TX | 3.8 |
| DEQUEEN EL Port Arthur, TX | 3.8 |
| HOWARD BURNHAM EL El Paso, TX | 3.8 |
| SOUTH EL Levelland, TX | 3.8 |
| TRENTON EL Trenton, TX | 3.8 |
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 is ranked #8007 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Jefferson EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson EL has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Jefferson EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson EL has 34.5% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,994/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlingen). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (956) 427-3120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HARLINGEN CISD- District Enrollment
- 16,780
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,586
- District Rank
- #26 of 29
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
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