Summary:
Zip code 78535 is home to a single school, Dishman Elementary, a public PK-5 school within the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (a district ranked in the top 29% of Texas). Serving 313 students, the school has a very high rate of economic disadvantage, with 94.25% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1.
Dishman Elementary presents a mixed performance profile. Its strongest area is Reading, where it consistently outperforms both the district and state averages across 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. For example, 3rd-grade Reading proficiency is 61.9% compared to the state's 51.08%. However, Math performance is volatile and shows a significant weakness in 5th grade, where proficiency dropped to just 35.42% in the most recent year—a 26-point decline from the prior year's 5th-grade cohort and well below the state average of 47.38%. Science proficiency in 5th grade is also low at 29.82%, though this mirrors the state average, suggesting a broader challenge. The school's overall state ranking has fluctuated, moving from the 57th percentile to the 74th, then back to the 69th percentile over three years, indicating inconsistency that may be tied to specific student cohorts.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Dishman Elementary excels in literacy instruction despite high poverty levels, making it a strong choice for reading development. However, the school struggles with math and science, particularly in 5th grade, where performance can vary dramatically from year to year. The school's per-student spending of $10,589 and its placement within a well-regarded district provide a solid foundation, but families should be aware of the need for supplemental support in math and science, especially as students approach upper elementary grades.
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