The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on C J Harris El
C J Harris Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Pearland, a fast-growing suburb south of Houston. The school sits within Pearland ISD, a district in flux around funding, infrastructure, and curriculum direction as the city adds population rapidly.
The school enrolls a diverse student body across six grades, with roughly half of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Race and ethnicity are mixed, with substantial shares of Hispanic, white, Black, and Asian students. The school is mid-sized for its grade band and appears to serve the demographic profile of its community: suburban, economically varied, and diverse.
On state testing, C J Harris shows uneven performance. In English language arts, results are stronger: fourth graders post proficiency rates well above half, while third graders sit closer to a solid foundation. In math, the picture softens. Third and fourth grade proficiency rates hover around or below half, marking a soft spot. Looking across all tested levels, the school reaches approaching proficiency (the lowest performance band) at a rate families would want to monitor. Language arts approaches rates substantially higher, which suggests the school has stronger footing in reading and writing instruction than in mathematics.
One key context: the school serves only early elementary grades, so state testing captures only third and fourth grade. Pre-K through second grade results are not available because those grades are not tested statewide in Texas. A parent evaluating this school should understand that these test snapshots represent only the upper two grades served.
The broader district is actively reshaping itself. In late 2023 voters approved a permanent increase to the property tax rate to close a budget shortfall, raising the cost of homeownership in the district. In spring 2024 the district passed its first bond in years, funding facility and technology upgrades. More significantly, the district completed a curriculum audit in 2024 that identified gaps in consistency and equity and is now implementing changes to instruction and curriculum design. These moves signal the district is working to tighten academic coherence, but families moving into the area should weigh whether that transition period aligns with their timeline and expectations.
The Pearland housing market is active and heating. Home values are above state benchmarks, and rental costs reflect the city's growth and appeal to families. The community itself mixes master-planned neighborhoods, retail corridors, and a revitalizing historic downtown, with strong employer presence in healthcare and energy. Schools in the district span the city's footprint across three counties, so families choosing neighborhoods should also choose which school or schools serve that address.
Among the eight districts in Brazoria County, C J Harris's overall proficiency rate places it in the top quartile. That standing reflects stronger performance in language arts; the math proficiency gap is the main academic variable to discuss with the school directly.
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