Elma E Barrera Elementary School earned a State accountability rating of B (80-89) based on three domains: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. Scores are scaled from 0 to 100 to align with letter grades. The school scored 74 in student achievement, 89 in school progress and 83 in closing performance gaps. It scored 87 overall in post-secondary readiness, a broad term that refers to student preparedness to undertake multiple pathways after graduation, or specifically, their preparedness for college education.

On the other hand, South Texas Isd Virtual Academy also earned a State accountability rating of B. The school posted 83 in student achievement, 90 in school progress, 82 in closing performance gaps and 88 overall in post-secondary readiness.

A distinction designation acknowledges districts and campuses for outstanding achievement based on the outcomes of several performance indicators. Distinction designations are awarded for achievement in several areas and are based on performance relative to a group of campuses of similar type, size, grade span, and student demographics.

It is in this area where the two schools differ. Elma E Barrera Elementary School's five out of seven distinctions are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, post-secondary and with 25% student progress. South Texas Isd Virtual Academy’s three out of seven distinctions are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and post-secondary.

Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, the dominant group in Elma E Barrera Elementary School is Hispanics who make up nearly 98.41% of student population, followed by Whites or Caucasians (1.59%). There is no African Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Two or More Racesstudents in the school.

At South Texas Isd Virtual Academy, Hispanics make up 77.83% of student population, followed by Whites or Caucasians (19.34%), Asians (1.42%), African Americans (0.94%) and Two or More Races (0.47%). There is no Native Americans student in the school.

Based on household incomes, Elma E Barrera Elementary School’s economically disadvantaged students is significantly higher at 91.78% compared to 63.68% at South Texas Isd Virtual Academy.

In terms of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), a term used in the United States that refers to a person who is not fluent in the English Language, mainly because it is not their native language, Elma E Barrera Elementary School has a significantly higher number of English Language Learners comprising 16.45% of its student population compared to 16.51% at South Texas Isd Virtual Academy.

In addition, Elma E Barrera Elementary School has 16.18% bilingual students, 3.98% are in the gifted and talented program, while 14.32% are in the special education program. This stacks up against South Texas Isd Virtual Academy with 15.57% bilingual students, 11.79% gifted and talented students and 15.09% students in the special education program.

30 teachers employed at Elma E Barrera Elementary School have been teaching in the school for an average of about 5.2 years with individual teaching experience averaging 9.5 years. The 15 teachers at South Texas Isd Virtual Academy have been serving the school for an average of 2.8 years with individual teaching experience averaging 10.4 years.

Of its teaching staff, Elma E Barrera Elementary School has one teacher only serving the school for over 30 years, has four teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, six teachers have worked for 11-20 years, six teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 11 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including three beginning teachers. South Texas Isd Virtual Academy no teacher serving the school for over 30 years, no teacher serving the school for 20-30 years, seven teachers have worked for 11-20 years, five teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while four teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, and school has no beginning teacher.

In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Elma E Barrera Elementary School there are 24 female teachers and six male teachers. Of its teaching staff, six special education teachers are being assisted by ten teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has three staff members in the school administration department and four more working as school support staff.

At South Texas Isd Virtual Academy there are ten female teachers and five male teachers. Of its teaching staff, three teachers are in special education without any assistance. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has two staff members in the school administration department and one more working as school support staff.