Rt Barrera Elementary

Rt Barrera Elementary in Roma, TX, is a PK-5 campus serving about 400 students within the highly-ranked Roma Independent School District (Isd). Despite over 91% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school has achieved a remarkable 5-star rating and ranks in the 99th percentile of all Texas elementary schools for the 2025-2026 school year. This makes it a standout example of a high-poverty, high-performing school, with a dramatic upward trajectory from the 82nd percentile just a few years ago.

What truly sets Rt Barrera apart is its exceptional performance for specific student groups. The school ranks in the top 20 statewide for female students, Hispanic students, and special education students, and in the top 55 for English language learners. This is a stark contrast to nearby schools in the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District (Isd), such as Roque Guerra Junior Elementary and Ringgold Elementary, which struggle in the bottom half of state rankings despite serving similarly high-poverty populations. Even within its own district, Rt Barrera’s subgroup rankings outshine peers like Emma Vera Elementary, highlighting a highly effective, targeted instructional model.

However, the school faces a consistent challenge with a "5th-grade slump," where scores in reading, math, and science drop compared to 3rd and 4th grades. For example, 5th-grade science proficiency (61.4%) lags behind the district average (74.31%). Additionally, performance for gifted and talented students has slipped to the 68th percentile, suggesting a need to re-evaluate enrichment programs. With a low student-teacher ratio of 13:1 and efficient resource allocation, Rt Barrera is a diamond in the rough that excels with most students but has room to grow in upper grades and for its highest achievers.