The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Math. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Alberto and Celia Barrera El
Alberto and Celia Barrera Elementary is a public elementary school in Rio Grande City serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is part of Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District, which was recently renamed to reflect its service to both Rio Grande City and the neighboring La Grulla community.
The student body is almost entirely Hispanic, and virtually all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating the school serves a community facing significant economic hardship. The enrollment is modest across grades. In terms of academic performance on Texas state assessments, the school's results show real challenges that parents should understand clearly. Across all tested subjects, the school's proficiency rate sits below the midpoint among districts in Starr County.
In math, performance varies sharply by grade. Fourth graders show the strongest proficiency, while fifth graders and third graders score considerably lower. In English language arts, third graders in particular show weak proficiency on state tests. Science testing occurred only in fifth grade, with proficiency there also low. Reading the data together, the majority of students at all tested grade levels are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks in math and reading, and this pattern holds across the school's tested range.
The district has undertaken a deliberate effort to improve math instruction. Beginning in 2021, Rio Grande City Grulla ISD adopted the Dana Center and Agile Mind curriculum across all three of its middle schools and subsequently extended that approach to high school Algebra I. That three-year partnership aimed to deepen teacher content knowledge and shift teaching practice. These changes would not yet fully show in elementary classrooms at Barrera, but they reflect district commitment to instructional improvement that may influence students' trajectories as they advance.
The school does not provide data on participation rates in state testing, the number of students with disabilities, or the number of English learners, so the school environment regarding those populations is not visible in available records. The school is a regular public school, not charter or magnet, and operates under the district's standard governance.
Housing in Rio Grande City is substantially less expensive than state and national benchmarks, making family homeownership more accessible than in most Texas regions. The local economy is tight; unemployment in the area and median household income suggest families often work in agriculture, retail, or service sectors. A parent considering this school should plan on active engagement with classroom instruction at home, particularly in reading and math, given the proficiency gaps evident in state test data.
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