The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cj & Anne Hyman El
CJ & Anne Hyman Elementary is a public school serving pre-K through fourth grade in a growing residential area of south Dallas. The school enrolls a substantial number of students, with a roughly balanced enrollment across its grades. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economically modest profile of the immediate area around the school.
The student body is diverse by race and ethnicity, with the largest shares identifying as Black or Hispanic, followed by smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and White students. State testing data for third and fourth grades in math and English language arts shows proficiency levels well below what most schools aim for. In third-grade math, fewer than half of tested students met proficiency. Fourth-grade math showed similar results, with a bit less than half at proficiency. Fourth-grade English showed somewhat better results, with a bit less than half proficient. A small number of students took the Spanish-language test in third-grade ELA, so that result is not reported. When results are viewed across all performance tiers—approaching, meeting, and mastery levels—about two-thirds of students reached the approaching standard, two-fifths met the standard, and about one in seven achieved mastery across tested subjects. Reading comprehension fared better than math, with roughly three-quarters approaching proficiency in ELA overall and about half meeting it, though far fewer achieved mastery. Math showed more modest results overall, with roughly half approaching proficiency and a third meeting it. The school's proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Duncanville ISD schools and other districts in Dallas County, a modest positioning that reflects the challenge these grades face on standardized measures.
The school sits within Duncanville ISD, a district serving south Dallas and nearby suburbs. In November 2023, voters approved a major bond package—the district's first bond election in several years—that funded facility renovations, a new early childhood center, Career and Technical Education expansion at the high school, HVAC and roof work, security upgrades, and bus replacement. For families considering a move to the area, the district also implemented the state's homestead exemption increase, which lowered the overall property tax rate despite the bond passing, reducing annual tax burden for homeowners.
Housing in the 75249 zip code where Hyman Elementary sits is modestly priced relative to the Dallas metro. Median home values are below the Texas state benchmark and well below the national median. Rental costs are also moderate, with rent running roughly a quarter of median household income in the area, a relatively affordable ratio. The community is experiencing steady growth as part of the wider Dallas-Fort Worth expansion, which led the nation in population growth in recent years. Major new residential and commercial development is underway across south Dallas, including University Hills, a large mixed-use development adjacent to the UNT Dallas campus with single-family homes, apartments, and green space.
A parent considering Hyman Elementary should understand that this is a school where academic proficiency on state assessments is currently below typical benchmarks, particularly in math. The free and reduced-price lunch rate indicates a student population with economic need. At the same time, the school operates in a district investing in infrastructure and program expansion, and in a neighborhood with affordable housing and growth momentum. A parent may want to look into further what academic support the school provides, what the school's instructional approach emphasizes, and whether specific grade-level or small-group interventions are in place to address the proficiency gap.
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