The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Finley El
Finley Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Laredo's United Independent School District. The school enrolls a small to mid-sized population, with the largest grades in early elementary and a slight taper in older grades. The overwhelming majority of students are Hispanic, and a substantial share qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the Laredo area.
Testing data comes from the most recent school year and covers grades three through five. Because the school administers both English and Spanish versions of the state assessment (STAAR), some grade levels show very few test-takers on one version or the other, making those results unavailable. Where data is reported, proficiency is below the midpoint for tested grades. In grade five math (English version), proficiency sits notably lower. In grade four ELA (English version), proficiency is somewhat higher but still well below state benchmarks. Social studies results indicate proficiency rates in the lower-to-middle range. Science testing is available only for grade five in Spanish, with too few test-takers to report results.
The school's overall assessment profile, aggregated across all tested grades and subjects, shows modest proficiency in approaches (meaning students making progress toward standards) but lower mastery rates. Math results are particularly soft, with fewer than half of students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations. ELA performance, while broader, similarly shows room for growth. A parent may want to look into whether the school's bilingual program structure, which explains the split between Spanish and English test versions, is meeting the needs of their child's language background and learning trajectory.
Finley sits below the midpoint on overall proficiency relative to other districts in Webb County. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate. Chronic absenteeism data was not available.
United ISD has recently launched a district-wide reading program aimed at ensuring students read at grade level and has expanded early childhood education options for children as young as three years old. The district also lowered its property tax rate in the most recent budget cycle. These moves signal a focus on foundational literacy and early access, though their effect on individual schools takes time to show in assessment results.
Laredo itself is a border city anchored in logistics and cross-border commerce. Housing is more affordable than the state and national benchmarks, and new residential growth is expanding north and east. The community's identity is shaped by its proximity to Mexico and its role as the busiest inland port on the U.S.-Mexico border, with major employers in transportation, warehousing, retail, and healthcare. Downtown retains walkable plazas and civic anchors, though much of the city remains car-dependent. For families in the Finley attendance area, the school represents a typical neighborhood elementary with a heavily bilingual, economically challenged student body and academic performance that will require close monitoring and engagement with the school to understand classroom instruction and progress.
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