Summary
Freeman Elementary in Houston, TX, is a PK-4 school in the Pasadena Independent School District (Isd) serving 382 students, and it has recently achieved a remarkable turnaround, jumping from the 26th to the 47th percentile statewide—its highest ranking in over a decade. This dramatic improvement is a key story for the school, which serves a highly economically disadvantaged population (over 93% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch). The school’s success is especially notable in mathematics, where 4th-grade math proficiency reached 58.73% in the 2025-2026 school year, outperforming the district (45.23%) and state (49.28%) averages, and ranking second among nearby Pasadena ISD elementary schools, just behind South Houston Elementary (68.89%).
Freeman excels at supporting its low-socioeconomic status (SES) students, who ranked in the 67th percentile statewide, and its Special Education students, who ranked in the 63rd percentile—both significantly higher than the school’s overall rank. This suggests effective interventions and individualized support, likely aided by a low student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 and higher per-student spending ($13,007) compared to nearby Pasadena ISD schools like Garfield Elementary ($11,617) and Matthys Elementary ($12,111). However, a significant challenge remains in reading, particularly in 3rd grade, where only 21.95% of students were proficient in 2025-2026, far below the district (44.48%) and state (51.08%) averages. In contrast, 4th-grade reading (42.86%) is closer to the district average, indicating a need for targeted early literacy support.
Compared to nearby schools, Freeman’s recent growth outpaces many peers. For instance, Garfield Elementary (33rd percentile) has higher 3rd-grade reading (55.71%) but struggles in math (26.25% in 4th grade), while Freeman is the mirror image. Matthys Elementary (53rd percentile) is a close competitor, but Freeman’s rate of improvement is more dramatic. The school also outperforms the nearby charter Iltexas Houston Windmill Lakes Elementary (13th percentile), demonstrating that Pasadena ISD is providing a stronger education in this community. While Southeast Elementary (65th percentile) remains a top performer, Freeman’s trajectory suggests it is closing the gap, making it a school to watch for families seeking a rising option in the area.
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