The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 55% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Julia Bird Jones Muller El
Julia Bird Jones Muller Elementary is a small, early-grade public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Laredo's north-central area. The school enrolls around that grade-span size for its region, with a student body that is overwhelmingly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged: a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The school sits within United ISD, which recently introduced a new district-wide reading initiative focused on grade-level proficiency and expanded early childhood programming.
On state assessments, the school's performance reflects a mixed picture across grades. In reading, third grade shows solid foundational skills, with about three-fifths of students meeting or exceeding proficiency. Fifth grade reading performance is similar. Fourth grade reading testing involved very few students, so results there are not meaningful. In math, third grade proficiency is comparable to reading, around three-fifths. Fourth grade math proficiency drops noticeably, to roughly half of students. Fifth grade math results are sparse. Across all subjects, the school reports that about three-quarters of students approach grade-level standards, and just over half actually meet them. Mastery-level performance is lower: roughly a quarter of students master grade-level content across all subjects, and in mathematics only a fifth do so. This pattern suggests the school has a broad band of students working toward grade level, but fewer demonstrating full command of material.
Compared to the other districts in Webb County, Julia Bird Jones Muller's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among county schools. This positioning reflects both the school's own results and the broader county context. However, graduation rate and chronic absenteeism data do not apply to an elementary school, so those measures cannot characterize the school's trajectory into secondary years.
The school's testing results are administered in English for third and fifth grades, with very limited Spanish-language testing in fourth and fifth grades. This reflects the primary instructional language and student composition. The school does not report separate data on English learners or special education enrollment, so a parent looking into language support or special services may want to contact the school directly about how those populations are served.
Laredo itself is a border city anchored in logistics and trade, with a downtown historic core and outward growth toward north and east residential neighborhoods. Housing is relatively affordable by state standards, though mortgage costs are rising. The community has a longstanding bilingual, family-oriented culture; daily life centers on family-connected institutions, neighborhood schools, and public parks. Employment is concentrated in transportation, warehousing, retail, and education. United ISD's recent policy moves—a property tax rate decrease, new early childhood enrollment, and emphasis on reading proficiency—signal attention to cost of living for families and foundational literacy, both relevant to a neighborhood elementary school's place in the district.
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