Summary:
In zip code 78592, there is a single elementary school, Tony Gonzalez Elementary, serving grades PK through 5 in the Santa Maria area, with a total enrollment of 224 students.
Tony Gonzalez Elementary is part of the Santa Maria Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the bottom quarter of Texas districts. The school itself has a three-year state ranking trend that has declined from the 41st percentile to the 32nd percentile, despite showing significant year-over-year improvement in test scores. This paradox suggests that while the school is making academic gains, other schools across Texas are improving at a faster rate. A standout feature is the school's very low student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, which can allow for more individualized attention. The school also serves a student population with an exceptionally high rate of economic disadvantage, with 99.55% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Academically, the school shows a mixed but improving picture. The most recent test scores (2025-2026) show 5th Grade Reading at 53.66% proficient and 5th Grade Math at 46.34% proficient, both representing strong performances. A remarkable turnaround was seen in 3rd Grade Reading, which jumped from 28.13% to 45.95% proficiency in one year. However, a critical weakness exists in Science, where only 9.52% of 5th graders were proficient in 2024-2025, far below the state average. The school spends $13,595 per student, which is above the state average, yet overall performance remains low, raising questions about how funds are being used to address the challenges of a high-poverty student body. The school's relative success in 5th Grade Reading is a notable achievement worth further investigation.
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