The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tenie Holmes El
Tenie Holmes Elementary serves third through fifth grade in Bay City, a school of moderate enrollment. The school is a regular public school in Bay City ISD.
The most immediate context for a parent considering this school is the district's financial condition. Bay City ISD is navigating a multi-year budget crisis. The district adopted a deficit budget for 2025-26, instituted a temporary tax increase (a "Disaster Penny" measure) for that year, and has signaled that a critical tax rate election is planned for November 2026. The district has also faced state warrant holds and is exploring property sales. These circumstances affect what programs and staffing remain available to schools. A family should view the district's financial standing as a material factor in school choice.
Academically, Tenie Holmes shows below-average proficiency across tested subjects. In math, roughly one-third of students in grades three through five met or exceeded proficiency standards, with slightly better outcomes in grade four than in grades three or five. In English language arts, the picture is modestly stronger: grade three recorded the highest performance across the school, with roughly two in five students reaching proficiency, while grades four and five fell to roughly one-third. Science proficiency at grade five, the only grade tested in that subject, was notably lower, at roughly one in four students. Across all measured subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Matagorda County.
The trend data shows that when students are assessed at lower proficiency thresholds—meeting the "approaches" standard rather than "meets" or "masters"—performance improves substantially, suggesting many students are developing foundational skills but not yet reaching grade-level mastery. About one in seven students across the school earned a "masters" rating, and fewer than one in five reached a full "meets" standard in any subject.
Demographically, Tenie Holmes serves a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with substantial representation of Black and white students as well. A large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the attendance area. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status was not available.
The school's location, at 3200 Fifth Street in Bay City, sits within a housing market where median home values are moderate for Texas and rents have been rising. The area's economic conditions align with the school's high lunch-program participation rate.
A parent considering this school should recognize that it serves a student population with significant academic gaps relative to county peers. The district's ongoing financial challenges add an additional layer of uncertainty about resource availability. At the same time, the school operates as a regular elementary program in a community setting and serves its grade band fully. Parents may want to discuss with the school directly what interventions and support structures it has in place for students not yet meeting grade-level standards, and to stay informed about how district budget decisions will shape staffing and programs over the next year.
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