Summary
Bussey Elementary in Houston, TX, is a 1st through 5th grade campus in the Aldine Independent School District (Isd) serving 489 students, with over 90% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and it is currently in the midst of a powerful transformation from a historically low-performing school to a rising middle-tier school.
Bussey Elementary has achieved a remarkable turnaround, climbing from the 5th percentile in 2021-2022 to the 50th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating. This upward trajectory is unmatched by nearby schools like Thompson Elementary, which is consistently high-performing (75th percentile), or Stehlik Elementary, which remains low-performing (12th percentile). A key strength is the school's exceptional growth for its economically disadvantaged students, ranking in the 70th percentile statewide for this subgroup. Bussey also shows strong performance in Spanish-language assessments, often surpassing both the district and state averages in 4th and 5th-grade Reading and Math, suggesting a robust bilingual program. A notable pattern is the "Bussey Bounce," where 3rd-grade scores often start below the district average but accelerate significantly by 4th and 5th grade, frequently exceeding district and state benchmarks.
Despite these gains, Bussey faces challenges. Science remains a critical weakness, with only 14.86% of 5th graders proficient in 2024-2025, far below the state average. Additionally, there is a significant gender gap, with male students ranking in the 57th percentile and female students in the 38th percentile. The most interesting comparison is with nearby Thompson Elementary, which serves a nearly identical high-poverty population but outperforms Bussey in nearly every subject. This proximity highlights the potential for Bussey to continue its upward climb by studying successful practices at Thompson, particularly in 4th and 5th-grade Math. For parents, Bussey represents a school that is effectively closing the achievement gap for its primary demographic, with a clear focus on growth and improvement.
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