The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 31% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr William Long El
Dr. William Long Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Pharr, within the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. The school is a regular public school with an enrollment spread fairly evenly across its grade bands, serving a student body that is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with substantially all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The economic profile of the area reflects lower household income and home values relative to state benchmarks, though median rents are moderate.
State assessment data for 2024-25 shows mixed performance across grades and subjects. In English language arts, fourth grade stands out with a higher proficiency rate, while third and fifth grades post lower results. Math proficiency is lower still across the board, with fourth and fifth grades each showing proficiency rates in the lower to mid range. Fifth grade science proficiency was notably low. Grade three results in both math and English were incomplete or suppressed in the data available. Across all tested grades and subjects combined, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Hidalgo County districts, though the absolute proficiency levels remain modest. The data show a higher rate of students approaching proficiency standards than meeting or mastering them, which indicates room for strengthening performance at the higher levels. Only one year of assessment data was available, so trend direction cannot be determined.
The school's grade-band focus on elementary years means it does not report graduation rates or serve the secondary pathway directly. However, the parent district has made early college access central to its strategy. Every PSJA ISD high school, including specialized campuses, is now designated an Early College High School, permitting students to begin college coursework as early as ninth grade and graduate with an associate degree or substantial college credits at no cost. This is a defining feature of the district's post-secondary model and shapes college financing and credit accumulation significantly for families moving through the system.
At the facility and infrastructure level, the district faced a setback in late 2025 when voters rejected bond propositions that would have funded HVAC replacements, roofing repairs, parking improvements, and fine arts renovation across district buildings. The superintendent had indicated that the school budget could not absorb these costs, so aging facilities remain a consideration for families. A parent may want to look into the school's current condition and maintenance status directly with the school or district.
The school is located in Pharr, a community in the Rio Grande Valley. Specific data on the town's character, walkability, major employers, or growth trajectory was not available. Housing in the 78577 zip code is affordable relative to national benchmarks and has remained stable year-over-year. Rental costs are modest and represent a manageable share of household income for families at median income levels.
Dr. William Long is a standard, neighborhood elementary school serving a predominantly low-income, Spanish-dominant Hispanic community with strong access to bilingual assessment options. Proficiency in the early grades is moderate, with uneven performance across subjects. The school's main pathway advantage lies in its membership in a district that has made early college and dual-credit attainment a core feature of secondary schooling.
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