Original Research by School Decision on About Face Program El
About Face Program El is an alternative school operated by El Paso ISD, serving a very small cohort of students in grades 2 through 5. The school had only a handful of students enrolled at the time data was collected, with representation split between Hispanic and white students. State testing data for 2024-25 was not available; the school tested only one student in fifth grade across math, reading, and science, which places it outside the normal statistical reporting frame.
This school's tiny enrollment and alternative designation suggest it serves a specialized population rather than a standard neighborhood-based program. Alternative schools in Texas typically serve students who have experienced disruption in traditional settings—students involved with the juvenile justice system, those with chronic absenteeism, or those needing a restart with flexible scheduling and intensive support. Without additional data on the school's explicit mission, student referral pathways, or support structures, a parent would need to contact the school directly to understand what need it addresses and whether it fits their child's situation.
The broader context in which this school operates is significant. El Paso ISD is undertaking a major "Destination District Redesign" in response to declining enrollment and severe budget pressure. The district closed six elementary schools at the start of the 2025-26 school year and plans to close two more in 2026-27. At the same time, the district is expanding specialized programs: Montessori education, STEM and Fine Arts academies, Extended Day Learning Centers, and an Accelerated Campus Excellence program are being introduced across campuses. About Face Program El exists in this landscape of consolidation and program innovation, though without enrollment trends or a clear public profile, its trajectory during this period of reorganization is unclear.
El Paso itself is a border city experiencing mixed growth. While newer suburban neighborhoods spread across the far east and west edges with newer family-oriented housing, the central city is aging. Downtown is in early stages of revitalization after decades of decline, with adaptive reuse projects and infill development beginning, though residential population growth there remains slow. Franklin Mountains State Park anchors outdoor life for many residents, and the city has a strong cross-border culture tied to Ciudad Juárez. Housing values in the school's zip code sit slightly below state average, and rents are moderate relative to income, so cost of living is comparatively accessible.
For a family considering this school, the key questions are its specific mission, the intensity of support available, how a student enters the program, and what academic and social pathways it offers. Because this is an alternative school with a very small census, standard accountability metrics do not apply. A parent should ask directly what this program is designed to accomplish, what the typical student trajectory looks like, and whether it aligns with their child's needs.
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