The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Math. The lowest is 39% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tom Lea Jr El
Tom Lea Jr Elementary is a small neighborhood elementary school in East El Paso serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It has an enrollment drawn largely from the surrounding residential area, with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school sits in a neighborhood of modest single-family homes on larger lots, typical of El Paso's sprawling suburban character, and is located at the edge of the city's development pattern in the 79934 zip code.
The school's academic profile is mixed. On the most recent state assessments, grade five math proficiency was around the middle of the range, while science proficiency at that grade was notably lower. Testing data for grades three and four on the Spanish-language STAAR assessment exist but proficiency rates were not publicly released, likely due to small tested populations at those grade levels. When looking across all subjects and grades together, the school shows broader proficiency distributed as "approaches standard" and "meets standard," with a smaller share achieving mastery. Performance on language arts is stronger than in math and science, and the school performs above the midpoint among El Paso County districts on overall proficiency, a meaningful position given the county's size and diversity of school performance.
Parents should be aware of a significant change in the El Paso ISD landscape. In November 2024, the district voted to close eight elementary schools as part of a broader redesign driven by declining enrollment and budget pressure. Tom Lea Jr is not among the schools slated to close, but six schools closed for the 2025-26 school year and two more will close in 2026-27. This consolidation reshapes where students are assigned and how busing is organized across the district. At the same time, the district is expanding specialized programs—Montessori education, STEM academies, fine arts academies, and extended-day learning centers—across various campuses as part of its redesign strategy. Families should check the district's website to understand whether Tom Lea Jr will host any of these new programs or how the consolidation affects attendance zones and transportation for their address.
The school's surrounding community is El Paso's Far East neighborhood, a zone of continuing suburban development. The area offers relatively affordable single-family housing and a family-oriented, car-dependent environment. The broader city is experiencing downtown revitalization after decades of decline, with new mixed-use residential development beginning to appear in the central core, though most growth continues to occur in suburban expansion at the city's edges. Employment in the region is anchored by Fort Bliss military installation, health services, the school districts themselves, and cross-border trade tied to Ciudad Juárez.
The district has faced budget stress and recently lowered its property tax rate, though rising property values meant most homeowners still saw higher tax bills. The district is now planning a potential bond election as soon as November 2026 to address aging facilities, upgrade cooling systems, and fund consolidated campuses. This would be relevant to families considering long-term residence in the area.
State testing data was not available for grades three and four at this school, which is common when tested populations are very small. The school's enrollment is typical for an elementary school serving its grade band, and detailed information on special education and English learner rates was not provided.
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