Summary:
This analysis examines 11 elementary schools in the 78046 zip code of Laredo, Texas, serving grades PK-5 and split between the United Independent School District (Isd) (9 schools) and the Laredo Independent School District (Isd) (2 schools), where an average of 90.7% of students are economically disadvantaged.
The standout school is J Kawas Elementary, which achieves top-tier results despite a 97.25% poverty rate, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide with a 5-star rating and dramatically higher test scores than district and state averages. Kennedy Zapata Elementary is a rising star, improving from the 59th to the 78th percentile over three years while maintaining a 4-star rating and a 97.02% poverty rate. Rodolfo C Centeno Elementary stands out for its successful bilingual program, with Spanish-language STAAR scores significantly above district and state averages. In contrast, Salinas Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom third statewide with a 2-star rating and test scores below averages, representing the biggest academic challenge.
Key findings show that poverty is not destiny, as school-level factors like leadership and teaching quality matter more than socioeconomic background. Spending does not guarantee results, but the two highest-performing schools have the lowest student-to-teacher ratios (12.5:1 and 14:1), while the lowest-performing school has the highest (17.7:1). A universal weakness across all schools is 5th Grade Science, with an average proficiency of only 28.0% compared to 55.6% in Reading and 47.5% in Math, pointing to a systemic need for improved science instruction across the zip code.
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