The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Coach Archie Duran El
Coach Archie Duran Elementary is a small public school serving the far eastern edge of El Paso, in the 79924 zip code near the newer suburban sprawl toward Horizon City. It enrolls students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with a population skewed heavily toward the youngest learners—the bulk of students are in pre-K through second grade. The school sits within El Paso Independent School District, which in November 2024 voted to close eight elementary schools as part of a "Destination District Redesign" in response to declining enrollment and a substantial projected budget deficit. Coach Archie Duran was not among the schools named for closure, making it a stable choice for families in its attendance zone.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the income profile of this far-east corridor. The school's exact enrollment in special education and English learner status was not available, so a parent may want to look into those figures directly with the school to understand the support infrastructure.
State assessment results for Coach Archie Duran show proficiency rates that are modest and uneven across grades and subjects. In fourth-grade English language arts, about half of tested students met or exceeded proficiency; fifth-grade English language arts was also near that mark. Mathematics is weaker. Third-grade math proficiency sat at roughly one-third of students, and fourth and fifth grades tracked similarly low. Science data for fifth grade covered too few students to report. In Spanish-language assessments, which serve a smaller subset, numbers were very small and proficiency was quite low. Overall, the school's proficiency index sits above the midpoint among the county's districts, but this masks the reality that a majority of tested students are not meeting grade-level standards in math, and performance is inconsistent by grade.
El Paso as a whole is a binational metro area centered on cross-border trade and culture, with sprawling suburban neighborhoods mixed with older urban cores. The 79924 zip spans newer, spacious single-family homes on larger lots typical of far-east El Paso expansion, a quieter family-oriented setting. Housing values in the area are modest and have risen slightly; monthly rent is affordable relative to area incomes. The broader economic picture includes Fort Bliss as the largest employer, along with health services, education, and cross-border trade. The area has limited walkability; daily life depends on a car.
The district is in the midst of significant change. Beyond school closures, EPISD is expanding specialized programs at other campuses—Montessori education, STEM and Fine Arts academies, Extended Day Learning Centers with before- and after-school care. These are lasting curricular additions for families seeking them. The district also lowered its property tax rate for 2024-25, though rising property values meant household bills rose modestly. Looking ahead, the district is planning a potential bond election as soon as November 2026 to renovate aging facilities, replace cooling systems, and improve security—a future cost and an indication of the aging infrastructure facing the system.
For a family in the far-east zone, Coach Archie Duran offers stability as a school not facing closure, a location in a growing suburban area, and a peer environment that is economically and culturally homogeneous. The academic picture is one where a substantial share of students are not yet proficient in core subjects, particularly math. This is the reality to weigh alongside the school's position within its district and the broader transitions the system is managing.
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