Summary:
Zip code 77006 in Houston is home to two elementary schools, Ella J Baker Montessori School and Arabic Immersion Magnet School, both part of the Houston Independent School District (Isd) and serving grades PK through 8 with nearly identical enrollments of around 610 students.
Arabic Immersion Magnet School stands out as the higher-performing school overall, consistently earning 5-star ratings from Schooldigger and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide for 2025-2026. It achieves these results despite having larger class sizes (24.9:1 student-teacher ratio), lower per-student spending ($8,670), and a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (51.72%). In contrast, Ella J Baker Montessori School offers smaller classes (16.5:1 ratio), higher spending per student ($9,778), and a lower poverty rate (32.13%), yet ranks slightly lower at the 75th percentile with a 4-star rating. A key differentiator is science performance: Arabic Immersion’s 8th graders scored 84.62% proficient in science, while Ella J Baker’s 8th graders scored only 17.65%.
However, Ella J Baker Montessori School excels in upper-grade and advanced coursework, with 8th graders achieving 92.31% proficiency in reading and 84.38% in math, and 100% proficiency in Algebra I and Biology EOC exams. It also maintains a perfect 0% dropout rate. Meanwhile, Arabic Immersion Magnet School shows more consistent strength across all grades, with a low 1.4% dropout rate. This creates a clear choice for parents: Arabic Immersion offers higher overall rankings and strong STEM outcomes, while Ella J Baker provides a unique Montessori approach with smaller classes and exceptional results in advanced subjects, particularly in the upper grades.
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