The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on E Ray El
E Ray El is a small elementary school serving grades one through five in Fort Worth, located in the Everman Independent School District. The school enrolls a substantial share of students from low-income households, with a large majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a significant Black enrollment and smaller Asian and White populations.
State testing results from the most recent year show proficiency concentrated in the lower tiers. In English language arts, less than half of tested students reached proficiency in the grades administered, with fourth-grade students faring somewhat better than third-graders. Math results are particularly low, with only a small fraction of fourth-graders and about a third of fifth-graders meeting proficiency. One important detail: some test results come from Spanish-language assessments and some from English, which may reflect the school's approach to language instruction but can make year-to-year comparisons difficult if a parent is trying to track progress. Social studies proficiency was notably weak across the school. Overall, when results across subjects are combined, a modest share of students reached proficiency or above, and a very small share reached the top performance level. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about reading and math support structures, since these early grades are foundational.
The neighborhood is undergoing rapid change. Fort Worth itself is one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, having recently surpassed one million residents, with particularly heavy housing construction on the western and northwestern edges. Housing costs and rents have risen notably in recent years as the city's population has boomed, though they remain relatively affordable compared to some other major Texas metros. The typical home value in the school's zip code is moderate by regional standards, and monthly rents are in the mid-range; a mortgage at current rates and typical down payment would run somewhat above what rent might cost, but both are within reach for many working families.
The Everman district itself has moved to strengthen its offerings. Voters approved a substantial bond in 2024 that includes renovation and expansion of E Ray El alongside three other elementary schools, which means families here will see material physical improvements over the next few years. The district has also launched dual-credit pathways, including a partnership with Texas Wesleyan University through which high school students can earn college credits, and an Early College High School with Tarrant County College that allows students to earn a year's worth of college credit tuition-free. These pathways are available downstream for students who advance through the district's elementary schools. The passage of the 2024 bond did increase the district's property tax rate, adding a meaningful cost to annual tax bills for homeowners.
E Ray El itself is a regular public school with no magnet or charter designation. The school serves a neighborhood experiencing broader demographic and economic shifts, with families who are predominantly working-class and many navigating language transitions. The testing environment suggests this is a school where academic support and language development are pressing needs, and the physical improvements funded by the recent bond may help, but outcomes in reading and math need close watching.
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