Summary:
There are three elementary schools serving grades PK-5 in the 77013 zip code of Houston, Texas: Robinson Elementary and Oates Elementary (both part of the Houston Independent School District (Isd)), and The Varnett School - East (a public charter school under The Varnett Public School). All three schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 73% to 100%.
Robinson Elementary is the standout performer in the area, earning a 3-star rating from its district and the highest state percentile rankings over the past three years. Despite having a 100% poverty rate, its 3rd-grade students outperform both the HISD district and state averages in Reading and Math. However, its overall state ranking has declined from the 45th to the 37th percentile. In contrast, The Varnett School - East is the lowest-performing school, with a 1-star district rating and a state ranking that has fallen to the 4th percentile. Its test scores are consistently far below district and state averages. Oates Elementary has experienced the most dramatic decline, dropping from the 52nd percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 24th percentile (1 star) in 2025-2026.
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results. The Varnett School - East spends the most per student ($12,758) but has the lowest academic performance, while Robinson Elementary spends the least ($9,899) and performs the best. Additionally, science is a universal weakness across the zip code, with all three schools scoring below the state average in 5th-grade Science. For parents, Robinson Elementary offers the strongest early elementary program, while Oates Elementary and The Varnett School - East show significant academic challenges.
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