The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in English language arts. The lowest is 49% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James P Butler El
James P Butler Elementary serves a small community of students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Far East El Paso, in Socorro Independent School District. The school sits in a growing suburban area of the city where newer homes on spacious lots reflect a family-oriented, quieter character than the urban core.
The school's enrollment is stable at just under a thousand students, drawn almost entirely from Hispanic families; most live in households that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The overwhelming majority of students are Hispanic, with smaller populations of white and Black students. Data on students learning English as a second language was not available, though in this El Paso neighborhood, bilingual or English-learner needs are likely present. Special education enrollment counts were not provided.
On Texas state assessments in 2024-25, the school shows mixed performance across the elementary grades. In English language arts, a majority of fifth graders met proficiency, but proficiency falls as students move down in grade. Math proficiency was lower overall, with about half of third and fifth graders meeting the standard and less than half of fourth graders doing so. When looking across all tested subjects and performance levels, James P Butler's overall proficiency index sits in the top quartile among El Paso County school districts, which reflects solid standing regionally. Science was assessed only in fifth grade, though results on that test were not reportable due to very small sample sizes. The school shows strength in English language arts relative to math, with higher proficiency rates and more students reaching mastery levels in ELA.
The school's overall trend data shows that about half of all students across grades meet proficiency or higher in math, and about six in ten do so in ELA. Students tend to reach the "approaches" level—meaning they have made progress but not yet met the full standard—at higher rates than they reach "meets" or "masters," which is typical of schools where many students start below grade level. Social studies proficiency was assessed school-wide and shows the lowest mastery rates of any subject, with most students approaching the standard but few reaching higher levels.
A parent considering this school may want to look into fourth-grade math performance with the school directly, as that grade dips notably below the pattern seen in third and fifth grade. The data do not explain whether this reflects a specific cohort, a curriculum gap, or staffing factors. Similarly, the very low English-learner sample sizes in upper grades raise a question worth exploring with the school: it may indicate that most students at this school are proficient enough to test in English, or there may be other factors at work.
The neighborhood surrounding the school is part of the Far East expansion belt, with relatively new housing stock and family amenities. Home values in the 79938 zip code are moderate for the region, and rents are affordable relative to both area wages and national benchmarks. The broader El Paso area is anchored by Fort Bliss, health services, and the cross-border economy, with a binational culture shaped by proximity to Ciudad Juárez. Parks, trails, and public transit connect residents to the larger city, though the area is suburban and car-dependent.
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