The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 51% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mcmasters El
McMasters Elementary serves early grades from pre-kindergarten through fourth, sitting in a residential pocket of Pasadena, a mature suburban community anchored by petrochemical industry along the Houston Ship Channel to its north. The school sits within Pasadena ISD, a district whose fiscal and enrollment picture has shifted sharply in recent years.
The school serves a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the broader demographics and economic composition of its neighborhood. The enrollment is small relative to capacity.
On state assessments in 2024-25, McMasters showed mixed results by grade. Third graders scored at or above the proficiency threshold in reading at a rate above half, and in math slightly above half. Fourth graders performed better in reading, with proficiency rates notably higher, but fourth-grade math data come from a very small group of students tested in Spanish and do not yield a full proficiency picture. Across all tested grades and subjects combined, the school's overall proficiency rate places it in the upper quartile among elementary schools in Harris County. Reading instruction appears to be a relative strength.
However, families should know that McMasters has been scheduled for closure at the end of the current school year. In May 2026, Pasadena ISD's board voted to consolidate McMasters with nearby Parks Elementary, sending students there beginning in the next school year. Staff will transition with their positions. This closure reflects a district-wide response to declining enrollment and budget pressures that have reshaped the district's school portfolio over the past year.
Pasadena itself is a largely car-dependent area where shopping and dining cluster along arterial corridors rather than walkable neighborhoods. The city maintains parks including a sizable recreation area with trails. Schools and civic institutions are dispersed across separate campuses rather than concentrated in a downtown core.
The district has faced headwinds beyond enrollment. Voters approved a capital bond in 2022 to replace and upgrade aging buildings, and the district has also applied full disaster pennies tied to a 2023 tornado to fund operations without a new tax election, raising the local property tax rate in the process. These are considerations for families weighing a move into the area.
For parents considering McMasters, the practical reality is that the school is closing. Prospective families in the attendance area should plan on their children attending Parks Elementary instead and may want to ask the district directly about that transition timeline and how assignment decisions will be made.
See more original research from School Decision →