The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Handley El
Handley Elementary is a small upper-elementary school in Garland serving grades three through five. With an enrollment of roughly a hundred eighty students, the school draws a student body that is majority Hispanic, followed by a large share of Black students, with smaller representation from other groups. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic character of the school's neighborhood in this established Dallas County city.
On state assessments administered in the most recent school year, Handley's proficiency results are notably low across tested subjects and grades. In mathematics, third graders achieved proficiency at a low rate, while fifth graders performed somewhat better but still well below proficiency benchmarks. English language arts showed a similar pattern, with third graders at a low proficiency rate and fifth graders reaching modest proficiency. Science proficiency in fifth grade was particularly weak. Across all tested subjects and grades combined, the school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint when compared to other schools in Dallas County. A parent may want to look into further with the school what instructional supports are in place and what the trajectory has been over time.
The broader Garland ISD context matters here. The district has undergone significant change. Voters approved a substantial bond in May 2023 to modernize aging facilities and enhance safety, raising property taxes accordingly. More directly relevant to Handley families, the district adopted a campus consolidation plan responding to declining enrollment and funding; while the specific timeline and impact on Handley itself are not detailed in the available data, this consolidation has already led to the closure or merger of several elementary campuses beginning in the 2024-25 school year and continuing into 2025-26. Families with children at other affected schools have been relocated, and this pattern reflects systemwide enrollment pressures.
Additionally, in late 2025 voters approved a tax rate increase to address a substantial projected budget shortfall and support teacher and staff retention, special education, and operations. The district has also adopted a new district-wide curriculum framework centered on high-quality instructional materials, explicit instruction, and an assessment system aligned to state testing, with multi-year achievement goals through 2030. This framework shift shapes how instruction unfolds in classrooms across the district, including at Handley.
Garland itself is a mature, built-out city in northeast Dallas County, mixing established mid-century neighborhoods with newer planned communities. Housing values in the area have been modest relative to the Dallas region and remain among the more affordable options in the metroplex. The city retains a neighborly feel layered over its scale as one of Texas's largest cities, with a defined historic downtown anchored by the city square and served by a DART rail station. Employment centers locally in manufacturing, distribution, and retail, with major employers including Garland ISD itself, Kraft Heinz, and Sherwin-Williams.
Handley is positioned as a regular public elementary school without specialty magnet or charter designation. State testing data for grades three and four in math shows that data for fourth-grade math on the Spanish assessment involved a very small group and results are not comparable. The school's English learner enrollment figures were not available. A parent evaluating Handley would benefit from a direct conversation with the school about current instructional priorities, the impact of district consolidation plans if any affect the school, and what support structures exist for students working below grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →