Summary:
There are seven elementary schools serving grades PK through 4 in the 77502 zip code of Pasadena, Texas, all part of the Pasadena Independent School District (Isd), an area characterized by high economic disadvantage with an average free/reduced lunch rate of 90%.
Sparks Elementary stands out as the top performer, ranking in the 75th percentile statewide (4 stars) and achieving the highest test scores in 4th grade math (65.96% proficient) and reading (58.14% proficient), despite a 92.43% poverty rate. It also has the highest per-student spending at $14,201 and a low student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. In contrast, Mae Smythe Elementary and Bailey Elementary are the most challenged, ranking in the 11th and 15th percentiles respectively, with 3rd grade math proficiency rates as low as 13.64% and 17.5%. Fisher Elementary showed a dramatic one-year decline from the 57th to the 20th percentile, while South Shaver Elementary and Williams Elementary fall in the middle range, with Williams having the lowest student-teacher ratio at 11.3:1.
A key finding is that Spanish-language STAAR tests often yield significantly higher proficiency rates than English versions at the same schools—for example, Bailey Elementary saw 60% proficiency in 3rd grade Spanish math versus 35.48% in English, highlighting the effectiveness of bilingual programs. Math remains a universal challenge, with average 3rd grade English math proficiency at just 33.7% compared to 40.8% for reading. While high poverty is a factor, Sparks Elementary proves it is not destiny, outperforming district and state averages, suggesting that resource allocation and school leadership play critical roles in student success.
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