The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hawkins El
Hawkins Elementary serves pre-K through fifth grade in a neighborhood on El Paso's south side, where it serves nearly all students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and a student body that is nearly entirely Hispanic. The school is small, with enrollment distributed across seven grades from pre-K onward.
The school administers the STAAR assessment in English and Spanish. In the most recent data available, third-grade students taking the English version showed proficiency rates just below the midpoint, while fifth graders taking the English test performed noticeably better. Third-grade math proficiency, assessed in Spanish, was low. Fourth and fifth grade math results were reported but are not disclosed here due to very small tested cohorts. Fifth-grade English proficiency in Spanish was also not reported for the same reason. Science testing was limited to two fifth graders, making it impossible to report results.
Across all tested content areas and grade levels, a majority of students score at the "approaches" level (the lowest proficiency tier). About a quarter of students score at the "masters" level across all subjects. In English language arts overall, proficiency at or above the "meets" standard reached about two-thirds of tested students. In math, that figure also reached about two-thirds. Social studies showed lower "masters" performance.
The school sits within El Paso Independent School District, which is undergoing significant change. The district has closed multiple elementary campuses in recent years as enrollment declines, with the first wave affecting nearby schools in the 2025-26 school year and a second wave planned for 2026-27. At the same time, the district is piloting expanded academic offerings at some schools, including Montessori, STEM academies, and extended-day learning centers, though Hawkins is not listed among those early adopters. The district is also planning a potential bond election in November 2026 to address aging facilities and consolidate campuses.
Housing in the 79905 zip code where Hawkins sits is relatively affordable compared to state benchmarks, with median home values below the state average. Mortgage costs for a typical home run moderately, and rental housing is affordable relative to local incomes. El Paso overall is a binational city shaped by cross-border flows with Ciudad Juárez, with a sprawling, car-dependent layout and older, walkable neighborhoods near downtown. The south side, where Hawkins sits, includes historic barrios and areas of infill development.
A parent considering this school should be aware that the district's consolidation plan and evolving program landscape mean enrollment, attendance boundaries, and school offerings may shift. The school's proficiency results, particularly in math, suggest that academic support and remediation are areas a parent may want to discuss directly with school leadership. The demographic composition—nearly all Hispanic, nearly all qualifying for meal support—reflects the neighborhood character and should inform a family's sense of fit.
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