The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in Math. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Harlean Beal El
Harlean Beal EL is a small elementary school in Fort Worth serving children from prekindergarten through fifth grade. The enrollment is modest, with roughly a hundred more students in the lower grades than the upper ones, and the student body is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with substantial overlap. Almost all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a high-poverty catchment.
The academic picture is one of widespread struggle. On the most recent state testing, roughly a quarter of third graders met proficiency in math, and reading results for that grade were even lower. Fifth graders performed somewhat better, with about four in ten meeting the standard in reading and about a quarter in math. Performance in science was similarly low. When performance is measured by the full range of Texas achievement bands, about six in ten students statewide reach the lowest passing level (approaches), while about three in ten reach the middle level (meets). At Harlean Beal, those proportions hold roughly for reading but are lower in math and notably weaker in social studies, where only about half of students approached proficiency. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about what supports are being put in place to address these patterns, especially in mathematics.
The school sits in a part of the Fort Worth ISD that serves a large and sprawling district covering much of the city and several surrounding municipalities. Fort Worth itself is one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, with a booming economy anchored by American Airlines, aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The city has distinct character districts, from downtown's Sundance Square to the Cultural District museums to the Stockyards, all connected by public transit. However, Harlean Beal's immediate neighborhood data was not available in the materials provided.
Housing in the school's zip code is modest in value and has declined slightly in the past year. Rents are below the Texas state benchmark. The area is not particularly walkable or transit-rich by published standards, and many families in the school's attendance zone likely have limited choice in where they live based on cost. State testing data does not tell us whether the school has specific program strengths, specialized pathways, or distinctive instructional approaches that families should consider. No recent major changes to the district's priorities were available, so we left that out rather than guess.
A parent enrolling a child at Harlean Beal should expect a full-day early-childhood and elementary program in an economically disadvantaged school where academic proficiency is below the median for the county. The school serves a stable community of families, many of whom are recent immigrants or working parents with limited disposable income. This is the kind of school that requires hands-on engagement between families and teachers to help children stay on track.
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