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Helen Major Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

4167^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 4,627 Texas Elementary Schools

Better than 10% of Texas elementary schools

Summary

Helen Major Elementary is a PK-5 school in Houston, TX, serving 567 students within the Spring Independent School District (Isd), where over 94% of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The school has faced significant academic challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom 10-15% of Texas elementary schools over the past decade, with a recent decline to the 10th percentile in 2025-2026. A major red flag is the drop in 3rd-grade Reading STAAR scores, which fell from 40.43% proficient in 2023-2024 to just 17.31% in 2025-2026, suggesting foundational skills are weakening. Science is another critical weakness, with only 8.16% of 5th graders proficient in 2024-2025, compared to 29.57% statewide.

Despite these struggles, there are notable bright spots. The school’s Gifted and Talented (GT) program is a standout, with GT students ranking in the 65th percentile statewide in 2024-2025, earning a 3-star rating. This shows that while the school struggles with the general population, it effectively serves its highest-achieving students. However, support for English Language Learners (ELL) has been inconsistent, with Spanish-language STAAR scores swinging wildly—for example, 4th-grade Math in Spanish dropped from 56% proficient in 2022-2023 to 6.67% in 2023-2024. The school also spends more per student ($11,898) than many peers, including the higher-performing Benfer Elementary in Klein Independent School District (Isd) ($9,304), indicating that funding alone isn’t the issue.

Comparisons to nearby schools highlight both challenges and opportunities for improvement. Just 2.15 miles away, Beneke Elementary serves a similar demographic (83.77% economically disadvantaged) but ranks in the 59th percentile—a massive gap of nearly 50 percentile points. Beneke’s success in 5th-grade Reading (64.79% proficient vs. Helen Major’s 31.15%) and Math (60.81% vs. 39.34%) provides a clear blueprint for improvement within the same district. In contrast, Ponderosa Elementary, just 0.6 miles away, is in the bottom 2% of the state, making Helen Major look comparatively better. The school’s leadership must urgently analyze Beneke’s practices and invest in evidence-based strategies for early literacy and science to reverse its downward trajectory.

567

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,340

Per pupil spending ?

94.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

16855 Sugar Pine Dr
Houston, TX 77090

(281) 891-8870

District: Spring Independent School District (Isd)

Students who attend Helen Major Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Bammel Middle
High:	Westfield High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

48.0%

African American:

45.9%

Two or more races:

3.5%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 25th percentile in 2024 → 10th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (26% vs 50% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (10th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped from its 25th-percentile peak (2024) to 10th (2026)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg37%

Texas avg50%

4,167^th of 4,627

Texas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 10%▲ up 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 5% (2016) to bottom 10% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

21^st of 25Elementary Schools in the Spring Independent School District (Isd)

742^nd of 951Spring Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	17.7	4167 of 4627	9.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	21.3	3956 of 4651	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.6	3548 of 4710	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.4	3604 of 4647	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	12.4	4313 of 4581	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	20.1	3857 of 4578	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	12.1	4267 of 4479	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	21.9	3696 of 4359	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	13.5	4071 of 4329	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	10.1	4085 of 4286	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	12.1	4062 of 4320	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	34.0	3204 of 4260	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	26.7	3534 of 4221	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	28.7	3497 of 4206	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	37.5	3072 of 4095	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	27.4	1969 of 2406	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	42.1	1098 of 1905	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.5	1521 of 2443	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.7	1534 of 2443	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.1	2110 of 2421	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.1	1942 of 2444	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	27.1	2070 of 2515	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.2	1453 of 2483	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	30.4	3485 of 4461	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	47.0	2055 of 4331	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	21.6	3896 of 4295	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	42.3	2479 of 4240	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	30.7	2186 of 2918	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.8	2879 of 3668	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	42.9	2076 of 3556	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.0	2225 of 3487	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	71.3	572 of 3446	83.4%	★★★★☆
2019	29.4	2717 of 3333	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.1	2156 of 3226	33.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	13.6	4347 of 4575	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	19.9	3278 of 3744	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	19.3	4117 of 4658	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.6	3371 of 4588	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.4	4128 of 4561	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	20.4	3858 of 4499	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.8	4058 of 4348	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	24.8	3560 of 4306	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	66.4	919 of 2619	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	3163 of 4413	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	30.3	2801 of 3644	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.2	3466 of 4465	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.5	3130 of 4401	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.2	3521 of 4376	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	51.0	1873 of 4329	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.4	3814 of 4188	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	33.7	3011 of 4168	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	27.5	3750 of 4520	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	33.5	2721 of 3705	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.5	3170 of 4594	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.1	3080 of 4521	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	19.7	4055 of 4477	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	29.7	3411 of 4451	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	23.9	3808 of 4309	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.0	3247 of 4264	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	25.7	3726 of 4582	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.4	2738 of 3739	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.4	3475 of 4647	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.5	3643 of 4585	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	9.6	4431 of 4563	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	23.1	3653 of 4498	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	10.6	4232 of 4357	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	21.9	3720 of 4319	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	26.2	3650 of 4301	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.7	2832 of 3549	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	3934 of 4292	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	22.1	3664 of 4086	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.2	3434 of 3952	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	27.1	3043 of 3799	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.4	3029 of 3558	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Gifted and Talented (2025)65th percentile+50 vs school

Hispanic (2026)28th percentile+18 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)25th percentile+10 vs school

At Risk (2022)22nd percentile+16 vs school

Male (2026)19th percentile+9 vs school

African American (2026)18th percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)17th percentile+7 vs school

Special Education (2026)15th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)5th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics35%-12 vs state

Reading25%-29 vs state

4.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, July 6, 2018

Major has made some changes since they have gotten a new leadership team. The team has progressed and my kids love this school! Close Quote

Schools Near Helen Major Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR Spanish Reading (2026)			STAAR Spanish Mathematics (2026)			STAAR Reading (2026)			STAAR Mathematics (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR Spanish Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 5th Grade	Total
Helen Major Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	16855 Sugar Pine Dr	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8870	567	33	17.0	94.4%	8 (1.4%)	260 (45.9%)	272 (48.0%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.5%)	17.7	4167^th of 4627 public elementary schools	9.9%		21.3	3956^th of 4651 public elementary schools	14.9%	211	21.7	6.3	6.3	0.0	0.0	12.5	17.3	25.3	31.2	32.8	34.5	39.3	$10,340
Ponderosa Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	17202 Butte Creek Rd	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8180	740	42	17.5	87.2%	30 (4.1%)	219 (29.6%)	462 (62.4%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	21 (2.8%)	8.4	4531^st of 4627 public elementary schools	2.1%		5.4	4609^th of 4651 public elementary schools	0.9%	78	0.0	20.0	15.0	4.8	0.0	10.0	19.7	26.2	36.1	13.0	19.8	26.9	$9,381
Bammel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	17309 Red Oak Dr	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8150	697	38	18.1	90.5%	24 (3.4%)	408 (58.5%)	234 (33.6%)	7 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.2%)	17.1	4187^th of 4627 public elementary schools	9.5%		8.8	4518^th of 4651 public elementary schools	2.9%	331	0.0	20.0	0.0		0.0		21.0	37.3	39.8	26.4	31.0	33.7	$9,431
Meyer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	16330 Forest Way Dr	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8270	680	45	15.1	88.4%	8 (1.2%)	265 (39.0%)	382 (56.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	22 (3.2%)	37.8	2904^th of 4627 public elementary schools	37.2%		32.5	3285^th of 4651 public elementary schools	29.4%	381	4.4		28.6	14.3			32.1	36.5	46.9	44.7	55.3	41.2	$10,254
Beneke Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3840 Briarchase Dr	Houston	77014	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8450	573	34	16.6	83.8%	10 (1.7%)	142 (24.8%)	379 (66.1%)	28 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.3%)	54.2	1896^th of 4627 public elementary schools	59.0%		36.2	3038^th of 4651 public elementary schools	34.7%	1142	31.6	40.9	35.3	40.0	71.4	14.3	48.2	44.6	64.8	46.4	40.5	60.8	$11,500
Ralph Eickenroht Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	15252 Grand Point Dr	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8840	574	36	16.0	91.8%	10 (1.7%)	265 (46.2%)	284 (49.5%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.9%)	11.6	4434^th of 4627 public elementary schools	4.2%		18.3	4120^th of 4651 public elementary schools	11.4%	314	10.0	57.9	30.8	25.0	38.9	33.3	6.6	19.1	30.4	15.0	34.9	35.1	$10,435
Pat Reynolds Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3975 Gladeridge Dr	Houston	77068	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8240	877	51	17.1	79.6%	41 (4.7%)	321 (36.6%)	442 (50.4%)	37 (4.2%)	11 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (2.9%)	32.8	3234^th of 4627 public elementary schools	30.1%		20.1	4019^th of 4651 public elementary schools	13.6%	785	33.3		20.0				41.3	33.1	53.2	34.6	38.7	44.0	$9,980
Hoyland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 Wittershaw Dr	Houston	77090	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8810	617	43	14.2	92.1%	9 (1.5%)	316 (51.2%)	275 (44.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.8%)	22.4	3911^th of 4627 public elementary schools	15.5%		21.2	3963^rd of 4651 public elementary schools	14.8%	52	11.8	50.0	9.1	14.3	14.3	20.0	36.8	34.2	50.0	26.8	25.0	37.0	$10,219
Benfer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	18027b Kuykendahl Rd	Klein	77379	Harris County	Klein Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(832) 484-6000	683	47	14.5	66.6%	124 (18.2%)	164 (24.0%)	315 (46.1%)	31 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	47 (6.9%)	64.7	1362^nd of 4627 public elementary schools	70.6%		64.2	1370^th of 4651 public elementary schools	70.5%	8							65.7	45.8	69.6	45.1	52.9	59.4	$8,407
Clark Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1825 Rushworth Dr	Houston	77014	Harris County	Spring Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(281) 891-8540	828	42	19.9	86.7%	14 (1.7%)	319 (38.5%)	475 (57.4%)	5 (0.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (1.4%)	18.1	4152^nd of 4627 public elementary schools	10.3%		13	4371^st of 4651 public elementary schools	6.0%	219	11.1	40.0	39.3	12.5	38.1	28.6	20.9	25.8	40.0	31.3	33.6	37.0	$8,873

Frequently Asked Questions about Helen Major Elementary

How many students attend Helen Major Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 567 students attended Helen Major Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Helen Major Elementary?

Students at Helen Major Elementary are 48% Hispanic, 46% African American, 4% Two or more races, 1% White.

What schools do graduates of Helen Major Elementary attend?

Students who attend Helen Major Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bammel Middle
High : Westfield High School

What district is Helen Major Elementary in?

Spring Independent School District (Isd)

Is Helen Major Elementary a good school?

Helen Major Elementary ranks in the bottom 9.9% of Texas elementary schools.

Rate Helen Major Elementary!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.