The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in Math. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hempstead El
Hempstead Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade in a small Texas city about fifty miles northwest of Houston. The school draws from a student body that is majority Hispanic, with a substantial share of Black students, and a large majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The neighborhood around the school is car-dependent, though downtown Hempstead sits close enough that school drop-offs weave into everyday routines rather than requiring distant commutes.
The most recent state test results show consistent academic headwinds across grade levels and subjects. In third grade, reading and math proficiency each fall in the low range, with math performing somewhat better. By fourth grade, proficiency drops further in both subjects. Fifth grade brings modest recovery in reading and math, though fifth-grade science proficiency remains quite low. Across the school, the share of students meeting or exceeding state standards runs well below the midpoint when placed against other districts in Waller County. The data reflects a school where most students are not yet proficient in core academics, and a parent may want to look into further detail with the school about instruction and support strategies for reading and math.
The school is part of Hempstead ISD, a district that recently took on a significant capital agenda. In May 2024 voters approved a major bond package, the district's first in nearly two decades, funding a new Early Childhood Center, safety improvements at all campuses, renovations to the high school, and infrastructure upgrades throughout. This bond will raise the school district property tax rate, which parents relocating or buying in the area should factor into housing decisions. The district has also adopted a new strategic plan focused on academics, instruction, and social-emotional learning, signaling a reorientation of priorities around achievement and student wellbeing.
Hempstead is a town in transition. Long known for agriculture, it is now experiencing growth driven by proximity to Houston and major economic development projects, including a large distribution center under construction. New residential subdivisions are going in, and housing values sit below state and national medians, making the area attractive to families seeking affordability. The town has a historic core with local institutions like the county library and parks nearby, and the school itself sits close enough to downtown that families remain connected to community life rather than isolated on distant campuses.
For families considering this school, the draw depends on local circumstances. If you live in or are moving to Hempstead for reasons of affordability, proximity to work, or community ties, this is the elementary school serving that area. The low proficiency numbers are a real feature of the current academic picture, not a hidden concern. Whether that changes will depend on how the district executes its new strategic priorities and whether additional instruction or intervention resources take hold. The new bond projects may improve facilities and learning conditions over time. Parents should ask the school directly about reading and math support, intervention pathways for students below grade level, and what classroom instruction looks like, as those conversations matter more than state numbers alone.
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