Summary:
In zip code 79839, there is one elementary school, Benito Martinez Elementary, serving grades Pre-K through 6th grade in the Ft Hancock Independent School District (Isd), a rural area with a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Benito Martinez Elementary has a total enrollment of 227 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, which is slightly better than the national average. The school spends $12,897 per student, a relatively high amount that reflects the needs of its student population. However, the school's state ranking has declined from the 36th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 16th percentile in 2025-2026, indicating a concerning downward trend. Academic performance is inconsistent, with 3rd graders performing at or above state averages in both Reading and Math, but then experiencing a sharp decline in 4th grade, where proficiency rates drop dramatically. For example, 4th Grade Reading proficiency fell to just 20.83%, well below the state average.
A key finding is the school's bilingual program, which offers STAAR tests in both English and Spanish. While 3rd graders taking the Spanish Reading test showed no proficiency, 4th graders taking the Spanish Reading test scored 55.56% proficient, significantly exceeding the state average of 37.14%. This suggests the bilingual program is a potential strength for some students, particularly in reading comprehension. The school's biggest challenge is the "4th grade slump," where performance drops after 3rd grade, likely due to a shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Improving this transition and leveraging the successful Spanish Reading program are critical steps for the school's future success.
Thank you for your feedback!