The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ross El
Ross Elementary is a small public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Houston's Harrisburg neighborhood, near Bay Street. It sits in an economically stressed area and serves a highly disadvantaged student population. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school is racially diverse, with roughly equal shares of Hispanic and Black students and a small number of white students.
The school's academic performance lags. On state testing in math, proficiency rates across the tested grades cluster between the low and mid-range, with fifth grade performing somewhat better than third and fourth. Reading is stronger: fourth graders show solid proficiency, while third graders are closer to the school's math level, and fifth-grade reading data are too sparse to report. Science proficiency in fifth grade is particularly weak. Across all tested subjects, only a small share of fifth graders reach the "masters" level of performance. The school's overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint when compared to other districts in Harris County, but that comparison includes a wide range of districts and tells a parent less about daily classroom reality than the grade-by-grade numbers. State testing data do not yet show year-to-year trends, so it is unclear whether performance is improving or stable.
Houston ISD is currently under state takeover. The Texas Education Agency dissolved the elected school board in June 2023 and appointed a board of managers and superintendent, an arrangement now extended through at least June 2027. This means there is no elected local school board to turn to with concerns. The takeover has brought the New Education System (NES), a standardized instructional model featuring prescribed lessons, daily timed quizzes, longer school days, and tighter classroom oversight. About a third of the district's schools now use NES; it is unclear from the available data whether Ross is one of them. NES schools receive substantially more per-student funding. A notable change across the district has been the conversion of school libraries into spaces used partly for students with behavioral issues, eliminating traditional librarian positions.
In November 2024 Houston ISD voters rejected a large bond package that would have funded school renovations, HVAC upgrades, security improvements, and technology. The defeat leaves aging facility needs unaddressed, and parents may want to ask the school directly about its physical condition and maintenance timeline. In February 2026 the board of managers voted to close or consolidate twelve schools after the current school year due to declining enrollment and aging infrastructure. While Ross does not appear on the closure list, the district has lost a substantial number of students in recent years, and families considering the area should understand that neighborhood schools remain vulnerable to consolidation.
The neighborhood around Bay Street is predominantly residential, though Houston's lack of zoning means commercial and residential uses can mix. Housing values in the area are modest, with homeownership and rental both affordable relative to the broader Houston metro. The city itself is sprawling and car-dependent overall, though it contains walkable districts and is pursuing pedestrian improvements. Houston's economy is anchored by energy, healthcare, aerospace, and logistics, creating varied employment pathways for families.
A parent considering Ross should visit the school, ask about current curriculum and testing supports, and clarify the school's status within the NES reforms. The low proficiency numbers, particularly in science and math at the lower grades, suggest the school faces real academic challenges that merit direct conversation with teachers and administrators about instructional strategy and student support.
See more original research from School Decision →