The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lee Buice El
Lee Buice Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Odessa, a West Texas city anchored by the oil and gas industry, ranching heritage, and a growing arts and downtown revitalization effort. The school enrolls a school of moderate size for its grade band, with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the city's broader composition. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating substantial economic need within the school's catchment.
On state assessments, Lee Buice's proficiency profile is a clear area for concern. In third-grade math, proficiency sits at the low end; fourth and fifth grades show modest improvement, but across the upper elementary tested grades proficiency remains in the low-to-moderate range. In English language arts, third grade performs somewhat better, while fourth grade dips and fifth grade recovers slightly. Fifth-grade science proficiency is notably low. Across all subjects, fewer than one in three students score at or above the proficient level, and when performance is measured against the Texas accountability framework's finer bands—those meeting the standard versus mastering it—the proportions scoring at the highest levels are quite small. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly if their child enters with reading or math gaps, to understand what support structures exist for struggling learners and how the school's staff is addressing foundational skill development.
On a county-wide basis, Lee Buice's overall proficiency index places it below the median among Ector County school districts, marking it among the lower-performing schools in its immediate peer set. The county as a whole offers limited alternative elementary options, so choice for many families will be tied to assignment and address rather than selection among strong performers.
Ector County ISD is in the midst of significant change. Voters approved a bond in late 2023 that is funding a new Career and Technical Education Center, a new middle school in west Odessa (opening in 2026), and districtwide maintenance and repairs, accomplished without a tax-rate increase. The district has also lowered its property tax rate modestly for 2025-26, offering minor relief to homeowners. In 2024, the district ended a charter partnership with Third Future Schools and brought Ector College Prep Middle School back under direct district operation, ending an experiment in school turnaround that had used highly scripted instruction. These moves suggest a district in transition, working to rebuild after years of lower performance.
Odessa itself is described as one of Texas's fastest-growing cities. Housing is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, and the rental market remains stable. Development is concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the city, particularly the Parks Bell Ranch master-planned community, where new schools and amenities are planned. Downtown is undergoing redevelopment supported by public investment in a new courthouse complex and library. The city's economic life centers on energy, with Halliburton and other oil and gas firms as major employers, alongside healthcare and retail. Public transit is limited; EZ-Rider provides fixed-route bus service with limited evening and weekend coverage, and the city is otherwise car-dependent.
For a family considering Lee Buice, the school represents a neighborhood elementary in an economically diverse community experiencing growth and district-level restructuring. State test results indicate a school where many students are not yet meeting grade-level standards, particularly in math and science. The school sits within a county district that has low proficiency overall and is actively working to improve through facility investment and instructional change. A parent should weigh whether the school's current performance aligns with their child's needs and whether they have access to additional tutoring or reading intervention if the child enters below grade level.
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