The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on David Ybarra Fine Arts Academy
David Ybarra Fine Arts Academy is a sixth-grade school in Edcouch, a small, declining agricultural town in southeastern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley. The school enrolls a very small student body, almost all Hispanic and overwhelmingly economically disadvantaged. It is a regular public school, not a magnet or charter.
Academically, the school's proficiency results are low. In English language arts, about four in ten sixth graders met or exceeded the proficiency standard on the 2024-25 state assessment, while in math, roughly one in four did so. When measured against all Hidalgo County districts, the school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint. Performance at the "approaches" level (the lowest performance tier) is higher, with roughly two-thirds of students reaching that mark in both subjects, meaning most students show some foundational progress but are not meeting grade-level standards at the rate the state expects. Very few students achieve the "masters" level in either subject.
Only one year of testing data is available, so trend information or comparisons to prior years cannot be made. The school serves sixth grade exclusively, which is why no graduation rate or secondary-level testing applies.
The student population is small and economically homogeneous. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The entire student body is Hispanic. No data on English learner or special education enrollment rates was available in the public reporting.
Edcouch itself is a modest, low-income community with a stagnant housing market and limited commercial activity. Median home values are well below the state benchmark. The town is car-dependent with no meaningful public transit, and the nearest public library is a short distance away in Elsa. Education is the dominant employment sector locally, with the Edcouch-Elsa ISD itself being a principal employer. The community has experienced population decline over recent years.
Within the district, David Ybarra serves as one of several elementary and middle schools. The district has struggled to secure funding for capital projects; voters rejected bond measures in both May 2022 and November 2023 that would have funded new school buildings, sites, and buses. This means families should be aware that facility improvements and vehicle replacement are not currently funded, a constraint that affects the condition and capacity of buildings families would send children to. The district's main high school is located in neighboring Elsa, about a short distance away, so students would transition out of the immediate Edcouch area for secondary education.
A parent considering this school for their child would be enrolling them in a small, economically disadvantaged sixth-grade setting with measured academic performance below county averages. The school sits in a quiet, stable small town with low housing costs but limited economic vitality. Someone seeking a larger school, more diverse peer environment, or stronger test outcomes would want to explore alternatives; someone prioritizing a small-school setting, proximity to extended family or deep community roots in the Rio Grande Valley, or the lowest cost of living would find this a reasonable local option. Visiting the school and speaking with current families about classroom instruction and support services would help round out the picture that test scores and demographics alone provide.
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