The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James F Delaney El
James F. Delaney Elementary serves grades one through five in Kennedale, a community in Tarrant County. The school enrolls students across a balanced range, with roughly even numbers in each grade. The student body is diverse: about one-third white, just over one-third Hispanic, and roughly one-quarter Black, with smaller numbers of Asian and multiracial students. About two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic need across the population.
State test results show below-grade performance. In third-grade math, roughly one-third of students reached proficiency. Fifth-grade math and reading results were similar, with about one-third and under half of students proficient respectively. Reading performance is somewhat stronger than math, particularly at the top grade level tested. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency rate falls below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Tarrant County. Texas does not report testing results for grades one and two, so the school's work with its youngest learners is not captured in state data.
The school operates within Kennedale Independent School District, which has undergone recent changes that affect families. Most significantly, beginning in January 2026 the district shifted to a four-day instructional week, with students attending Tuesday through Friday and most Mondays off. School days are longer to meet state instructional hour requirements, but the schedule change requires families to arrange childcare or activities on Mondays. The district stated the shift was driven by challenges in staff recruitment and retention, as well as efforts to improve student engagement.
In 2023, district voters approved a bond that funded school building improvements, technology investments, and a performing arts center. In 2025, voters rejected a separate bond package that would have upgraded athletic facilities and the high school auditorium without increasing the tax rate, so those projects did not advance.
The Kennedale area is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region. Housing values are moderate, and rental rates have risen modestly in recent years. Median household income in the region is solid, and unemployment is near historical norms. The affordability profile suggests that renters are spending roughly one-quarter of income on housing, while mortgage costs for homebuyers are higher relative to median income.
Parents considering Delaney should be aware of the state assessment results and understand that the school's proficiency rates are below the regional average. The four-day school week is a distinct operational reality that shapes the family experience. For families working standard schedules or seeking traditional five-day structures, this represents a material change worth planning around.
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