The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Noemi Dominguez El
Noemi Dominguez Elementary serves grade levels five and six in La Feria, a small, growing city in western Cameron County near Brownsville. The school sits within a residential, working-class community that has been adding new housing and attracting families, with the district anchored in the town center.
The school enrolls about a mid-size cohort for its grade span, with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. English learner enrollment data and special education counts were not available, so a parent may want to reach out to the school directly for detail on those populations.
Academic performance on the 2024-25 STAAR assessments shows proficiency rates below the midpoint when measured against other districts in Cameron County. In mathematics, grade-level results vary. Fifth-grade math proficiency appears below state benchmarks, while sixth-grade math performance is lower still. English language arts shows mixed results across the two grades: fifth-grade proficiency data for the Spanish assessment version was too thin to report, while sixth-grade English proficiency is somewhat stronger than math in the same grade. Science proficiency in grade five is notably low. Across all subjects measured, about seven in ten students show performance at the "approaches" level or above, but progression to "meets" and "masters" levels is limited, particularly in mathematics and social studies. This pattern suggests many students are making progress toward grade-level standards but a substantial number have not yet closed the gap. A parent may want to explore with the school what supports exist for students not yet at proficiency and what the district's plan is to strengthen performance across these grades.
La Feria as a community is undergoing active growth. The town has a compact downtown centered on Main and Commerce Streets, with a preserved historic bank building and dining concentrated there, but the overall environment is car-oriented. Parks and recreation are strong community assets, including an 88-acre wildlife area with trails and fishing, a sports complex, and regular fitness classes. Public transit is available through Valley Metro, though service is weekdays only. Housing is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, with prices rising as new subdivisions are being built. Schools function as community anchors and gathering points; La Feria ISD operates campuses spread through the city rather than isolated on a single campus.
Two district-level changes affect families with children in La Feria ISD. The sole high school was redesignated in 2023 as an Early College High School in partnership with Texas Southmost College, allowing students to earn college credit and potentially an associate degree at no cost. Voters approved a bond in November 2025 for campus improvements including roofing and athletic facilities, with a resulting property tax increase. Additionally, the district stood up its own school police department for the 2024-25 school year, funded partly through reductions in operating and campus budgets and cuts to teaching positions through attrition, a tradeoff families should understand when evaluating district resources.
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