Mildred Jenkins Elementary

Mildred Jenkins Elementary is a PK-5 school in the Spring Independent School District (Isd) serving 603 students in a community where 84% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting significant economic challenges.

Mildred Jenkins shows a promising upward trend, recently earning a 2-star rating after years of lower performance. Its strongest subject is mathematics, where students outperform the district average in every grade level and nearly match the state average—a notable strength compared to nearby schools like Anderson Elementary and Gloria Marshall Elementary, which have seen declining or stagnant rankings. The school is particularly effective for its Hispanic and low-income students, ranking in the 60th and 54th percentiles statewide for these groups, respectively. However, science is a critical weakness, with only 19% of 5th graders proficient compared to 30% statewide. Additionally, performance for English Language Learners has dropped sharply, from the 42nd percentile to the 11th percentile, a red flag given the school's high Hispanic population.

Mildred Jenkins operates in a competitive environment. The nearby Sam Houston State University Charter School ranks in the 83rd percentile and achieves proficiency rates 20-30 points higher in most subjects, though it likely serves a different demographic. The district invests more per student at Mildred Jenkins ($12,293) than at peers like Chet Burchett Elementary ($11,027) or the charter ($8,060), suggesting resources are being directed toward improvement. While the school still faces significant academic hurdles, its recent gains in math and for specific student groups offer a hopeful sign for families considering this high-needs school.