Summary
Holiman Elementary in San Angelo, TX, is a K-5 school serving 313 students within the San Angelo Independent School District (Isd), where approximately 62% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has achieved a remarkable turnaround, climbing from the 11th percentile statewide in 2022-2023 to the 42nd percentile for the 2025-2026 school year—a 31-point improvement that represents the strongest positive momentum among nearby schools with similar demographics. This is especially notable given that Holiman spends the least per student ($7,846) compared to all surrounding schools, including struggling Reagan Elementary ($11,878) and San Jacinto Elementary ($11,053), suggesting effective use of resources rather than higher funding drives success.
A standout strength is Holiman’s 5th-grade performance, where students consistently outperform the district and often exceed state averages. In 2025-2026, 5th-grade reading proficiency reached 63.46% (above the state’s 58.47%), and math proficiency hit 46.15% (nearly matching the state’s 47.38%). This “5th Grade Effect” contrasts with many struggling schools where older grades fall further behind, indicating strong upper-grade instruction or targeted interventions. However, early-grade math remains a critical weakness, with 3rd-grade proficiency at just 23.53% (well below the state’s 44.33%), though the school effectively closes this gap by 5th grade. Science is another persistent challenge, with only 19.15% of 5th graders proficient in 2024-2025, far below the state average of 29.57%.
Holiman’s location highlights stark contrasts in school performance within San Angelo. It sits just 1.3 miles from Bradford Elementary (2nd percentile) and 2.2 miles from Reagan Elementary (4th percentile), yet only 2.4 miles from Ft Concho Elementary (93rd percentile). This proximity of schools with wildly different outcomes underscores the impact of school-level leadership. Additionally, Holiman has shown notable improvement in Special Education, with this subgroup jumping from the 20th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 49th percentile in 2024-2025, suggesting targeted interventions are working. The school’s consistent three-year climb, despite stable poverty levels, points to effective strategies that parents can feel confident about.
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