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Very Good

#2649 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 31% in state

Pena EL

Elementary School · BROWNSVILLE ISD

4975 SALIDA DE LA LUNA, Brownsville, TX 78526

Enrollment

471

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#2,649 of 8,552

In Brownsville

#30 of 66

public schools

In district

#21 of 51

BROWNSVILLE ISD

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Pena EL

7.3/10

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

Garcia Middle

6.3/10

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

Idea Robindale College Preparatory

8.2/10

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

About Pena EL

Pena EL is a public elementary school in Brownsville, TX, part of BROWNSVILLE ISD. Pena EL serves approximately 471 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Pena EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,649 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Pena EL show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+24.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,041
Chronic Absenteeism23.6%

Pena EL — Students at Pena EL score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 69.7% (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
95%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
61%
ELA
66%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Pena EL Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in TX
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

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

4975 SALIDA DE LA LUNA, Brownsville, TX 78526

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pena EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HUDSON EL (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PAREDES EL (rated 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IDEA ROBINDALE ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
GARCIA MIDDLE Brownsville 0.7 mi 6.3
IDEA ROBINDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville 1.1 mi 8.2
IDEA ROBINDALE ACADEMY Brownsville 1.1 mi 7.7
GONZALEZ EL Brownsville 1.3 mi 7.3
VERMILLION ROAD EL Brownsville 1.6 mi 7.0
PERKINS MIDDLE Brownsville 1.8 mi 7.0
RIVERA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 1.7 mi 5.8
HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - BROWNSVILLE Brownsville 2.0 mi 8.0
BREEDEN EL Brownsville 2.1 mi 5.7
CHAMPION EL Brownsville 2.4 mi 5.7
GALLEGOS EL Brownsville 2.2 mi 7.3
HUDSON EL Brownsville 2.4 mi 8.6
LUCIO MIDDLE Brownsville 2.7 mi 7.0
EL JARDIN EL Brownsville 2.8 mi 6.8
OLIVEIRA MIDDLE Brownsville 2.7 mi 7.3
EGLY EL Brownsville 2.7 mi 6.9
HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 2.9 mi 7.0
PAREDES EL Brownsville 2.8 mi 8.5
JUBILEE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY San Antonio 2.9 mi 7.0
MORNINGSIDE EL Brownsville 3.5 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,143

Median Home Value

$158,300

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

59,719

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

67.4%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

29.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ABERNATHY EL Abernathy, TX 7.3
ACADEMY AT NOLA DUNN Burleson, TX 7.3
ANNE L MAGEE EL Edinburg, TX 7.3
ANNETTE PERRY EL Mansfield, TX 7.3
BEASLEY EL Beasley, TX 7.3
BOWIE EL Bowie, TX 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pena EL

What grades does Pena EL serve?

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

How many students attend Pena EL?

Pena EL has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pena EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Pena 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 Pena EL rank in TX?

Pena EL ranks #2,649 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Pena EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Pena EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Pena EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pena EL has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pena EL a charter school?

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

Is Pena EL a Title I school?

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

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

83.9% of students at Pena 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

District

BROWNSVILLE ISD
District Enrollment
37,065
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,041
District Rank
#21 of 51

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