Summary
Henry B Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy is an elementary school in Dallas, TX, serving 513 students in grades PK-5 within the Dallas Independent School District (Isd), where over 98% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school has a notable strength in its bilingual program, with Spanish-language STAAR scores significantly outperforming district and state averages—for example, 52% of 3rd graders and 61% of 4th graders were proficient in Spanish reading, compared to just 28% and 37% statewide. However, the school has experienced a sharp overall decline, dropping from the 73rd percentile (4 stars) in 2020-2021 to the 41st percentile (2 stars) for 2025-2026, a trend that contrasts with nearby schools like San Jacinto Elementary, which rebounded from the 29th to the 74th percentile over the same period.
Performance varies dramatically by grade level, with 4th grade English reading being a critical weak point at just 17% proficient—the lowest among all nearby schools—while 5th grade English reading is a strength at 65% proficient, above district and state averages. The school has historically excelled at supporting at-risk students, ranking in the 95th percentile for this subgroup in 2020-2021, but this strength has faded, and the gifted and talented program is now a major weakness, ranking in the 2nd percentile. Science is a universal challenge across the area, with Gonzalez scoring only 10% proficient in 5th grade science, though this is comparable to peers like John Q Adams Elementary (2%) and W A Blair Elementary (3%).
Per-pupil spending at Gonzalez is $11,971, lower than higher-performing neighbors like Sylvia Mendez Crew Leadership Academy ($13,483) and San Jacinto ($12,909), suggesting a possible link between investment and outcomes. While the school’s personalized learning model appears effective for English language learners and struggling students, it may not be adequately challenging advanced learners, as seen in the poor gifted program results. For parents, this school offers a strong bilingual foundation and pockets of excellence in upper grades, but families should be aware of the inconsistent grade-level performance and the need for additional support in science and for high-achieving students.
Thank you for your feedback!