Del Castillo Elementary

Del Castillo Elementary is a public elementary school in Brownsville, Texas, serving 228 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Brownsville Independent School District, which is ranked 439 out of 968 districts in Texas and has a 3-star rating.

Despite serving a predominantly Hispanic student population (93.86%), Del Castillo Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Texas elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years. This is significantly lower than the district and state averages. Students at Del Castillo Elementary consistently underperform on STAAR assessments in reading, math, and science compared to their peers across the state. For example, in 2023-2024, only 39.13% of 3rd graders were proficient in reading, compared to 48.85% statewide. The school also struggles to support the academic achievement of various student subgroups, such as female students, English Language Learners, and students with special needs.

While other nearby schools in the Brownsville ISD, such as Aiken Elementary and Southmost Elementary, also serve predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged student populations, they consistently outperform Del Castillo Elementary on state assessments and have higher school rankings. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (100% receive free or reduced-price lunch) and the school's declining performance over time suggest the need for targeted interventions and support services to address the unique challenges faced by the Del Castillo Elementary community.