The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on O Henry El
O Henry Elementary serves preK through sixth grade in Garland, a mature city in northeast Dallas County that blends older tree-lined residential neighborhoods with newer planned communities and a working, mixed-use feel. The school reflects the economic and demographic profile of its area: the enrollment is small to mid-sized, with a very high share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and Asian, with smaller Black and White populations, and skews toward lower-income families.
State testing data from the most recent year shows proficiency rates that fall in the lower-to-middle range across elementary grades and subjects. In English language arts, third grade registered proficiency at just over half of students; fourth and sixth grades were stronger, with proficiency notably higher in sixth grade. Math proficiency followed a similar pattern: third grade lagged noticeably, while fourth through sixth grades showed steadier progress, with fifth grade marking the highest point. Science data from fifth grade shows proficiency well below math and ELA, at under one-third of students. When Texas groups achievement into broader levels, the school shows modest strength in "approaches" level (where most students land) and much weaker performance at the "masters" level, which captures the highest achievers. Across all tested subjects, only about one-quarter of students reach the top performance tier.
In the county's district-level comparison, O Henry's proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Dallas County schools, a meaningful position that reflects the school's standing within its immediate region. This places the school above the median performance benchmark locally, though readers should note that O Henry serves elementary grades only and thus has no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data.
The school sits within Richardson ISD, which is undergoing a substantial restructuring. The district has moved from a junior-high model to a middle-school model serving grades 6-8. Two middle schools opened in the 2024-25 school year, and the remaining six campuses are scheduled to convert by fall 2028. For families at O Henry, this means sixth graders will transition to the new middle-school configuration during the coming years. The district also passed a major bond in November 2025 that funds a new Career and Technical Education Center, middle school improvements, technology upgrades, and stadium renovations. This represents a lasting commitment to capital improvements and will reshape district facilities over the coming years.
Garland itself is a built-out, economically mixed area with long-established neighborhoods and newer infill development. The housing market shows modest value and rental costs relative to state benchmarks, making it one of the more affordable corners of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. New multifamily and single-family construction continues, particularly near downtown and in lower-cost ZIP codes. The city's economy is anchored by manufacturing, distribution, and retail, with major employers including Kraft Heinz, Sherwin-Williams, and the school district itself. A DART rail station in downtown Garland provides transit access, though the city is largely car-oriented and most residents drive.
O Henry's test results suggest a school where median and lower-achieving students make up the bulk of the population, with fewer high-performing students. Science appears to be an area of particular softness, with less than one-quarter of fifth graders reaching proficiency. Strength in ELA and math improves in upper elementary grades, pointing to a school where grade level and subject matter shape outcomes. A parent evaluating this school should weigh its accessible, diverse environment and its position within county benchmarks alongside the need for close attention to how the school supports students below proficiency and whether the instructional approach aligns with their child's needs, particularly in science and in the critical third-grade math transition. The coming middle-school reconfiguration will also change the upper-grade experience.
See more original research from School Decision →