The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 18% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tijerina El
Tijerina Elementary is a PreK-5 school in Houston serving a small enrollment, virtually entirely from low-income households. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic. The school is located in southeast Houston, within Houston Independent School District.
On state assessments in math and English language arts (spring 2025), Tijerina's results cluster in the lower to middle range for the district. In math, proficiency rates across grades 3 through 5 hover around a moderate level; in English language arts, results are more uneven. Third-grade ELA proficiency is notably low, fourth-grade improves partway, and fifth-grade jumps significantly. Fifth-grade science proficiency is quite low. Overall, about half of the school's tested students reach proficient or higher in math, but far fewer reach that mark in ELA when the grades are averaged together. When looking at broader achievement levels, roughly three-quarters of students reach the "approaches grade level" bar across all tested subjects combined, but only about one-fifth reach the top "master" level. The pattern suggests students are making progress through the grades, especially visible in the fifth-grade ELA gain, but the school faces particular challenges in English reading comprehension and science instruction. A parent may want to look into further what support is being put in place for students below grade level, especially in earlier grades and in science.
Positioned against other districts in Harris County, Tijerina's overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint, indicating the school is performing better than many of its county neighbors, though the overall level remains below what many parents might hope for.
Tijerina sits within Houston ISD, which is currently under state takeover. In June 2023, the Texas Education Agency dissolved the elected school board and replaced it with a board of managers and state-appointed superintendent; this control is set to continue at least through June 2027. This means families have no elected local school board representation and the district is governed by state appointees. The district has introduced a standardized instructional model called the New Education System at a growing number of schools, featuring prescribed lesson plans, daily timed quizzes, longer school days, and tighter oversight; it remains unclear whether Tijerina operates under this model, but aspects of the approach have spread into most district campuses. A significant shift in district infrastructure is also underway: libraries at dozens of reformed schools have been converted into spaces used partly for students with disciplinary issues, with traditional librarian positions eliminated. In addition, the district has announced the closure or consolidation of schools after the current school year due to enrollment declines over the past several years. Parents should inquire directly with the school about whether any of these broader district changes affect Tijerina's operations and planning.
The broader Houston area is among the fastest-growing regions in the nation, with strong major employers and a rich cultural landscape centered on museums, parks, and civic institutions. Housing values in the zip code are modest compared to the broader Houston market. The community context is one of significant economic need and a school working within a district undergoing substantial structural change.
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