The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Math. The lowest is 41% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Derry El
Derry El is a small elementary school in Port Isabel, Texas, serving early-grade students from pre-K through fifth grade. The school sits in a historically Hispanic coastal town on the Laguna Madre near the southern tip of Texas, where tourism, fishing, and service trades form the economic base and most residents are Hispanic. The school's student body reflects this deeply: the enrollment is small and nearly entirely Hispanic, with a substantial majority of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The town itself is compact and walkable downtown, with a working waterfront and lighthouse, though growth has been modest and housing costs have risen in recent years.
The most recent state test results available show academic performance well below grade-level standard across reading and math. In third-grade English language arts, fewer than half the students tested met proficiency. Fourth-grade reading was somewhat stronger but still below half. Fifth-grade math and reading both fell below half proficiency as well. Science results at fifth grade showed similar attainment. Math performance edges slightly ahead of reading overall, and a modest share of students reach the highest achievement level (Masters) across subjects. These data reflect a profile where early literacy and numeracy need substantial attention; a parent considering the school would want to ask what interventions exist for students below grade level and whether the school has academic support structures in place beyond classroom instruction.
A notable gap: specific data on English learner enrollment is not available, though census and enrollment composition suggest a large share of students likely are emergent bilinguals. The district operates both a traditional bilingual program and a newer Dual Language option in early grades designed to build bilingual and biliteracy skills. For a family navigating language development alongside academics, this dual pathway is meaningful, and a parent would want to understand which program their child would enter and how reading and math instruction aligns with language development goals.
The school is part of Point Isabel Independent School District, a regional system also serving Laguna Vista, South Padre Island, and Laguna Heights. The district has invested in facilities through a recent bond election that included a tax rate increase—a cost consideration for families in the community. The district has also added a Career and Technical Education building and launched its high school as an Early College High School with a P-TECH model, positioning older students to earn an associate degree and industry credentials alongside a high school diploma. That pathway does not reach Derry's elementary grades directly, but it shapes the district's academic culture and signals an orientation toward practical skill-building alongside traditional academics.
Derry El's testing position across the county places it in the top quartile for overall proficiency among Cameron County's districts, though this reflects the composition of tested grades and schools in the comparison. The school's early-grade focus means state testing begins only in third grade, limiting the breadth of available data. A parent weighing this school should look into class size, staffing ratios in the pre-K and kindergarten years, and literacy and numeracy supports available to students performing below grade level. The school serves a community with significant economic need and stands as a neighborhood anchor in a historically tight-knit town, but the academic results indicate substantial opportunity for growth in foundational skills.
See more original research from School Decision →