Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in the 77037 zip code of Houston, Texas, serving grades PK-5 across two districts: Houston Independent School District (Isd) and Aldine Independent School District (Isd), with a total enrollment of 2,302 students and over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Bussey Elementary stands out as the top-performing school in the area, holding the highest state ranking at the 50th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026 and showing consistent improvement from the 50th percentile (2 stars) in 2023-2024. It also has the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.4) and the second-highest per-student spending ($12,107). In contrast, Moreno Elementary has the lowest per-student spending ($9,708) and the highest student-teacher ratio (17.8), correlating with its lower state ranking of the 32nd percentile (2 stars). Carroll Elementary shows a notable strength in 4th-grade math, with 67.33% proficiency in 2025-2026—far exceeding district and state averages—though its overall ranking is the 49th percentile (2 stars). Keeble Ec/Pk/K serves as an early childhood center (PK-K) with the highest per-student spending ($12,139) but no test scores, playing a critical role in school readiness.
Key takeaways include a spending-performance paradox where higher funding and smaller class sizes at Bussey align with better outcomes, while science scores across all schools are a universal weakness, with 5th-grade proficiency ranging from 14.86% to 21.78%—well below the state average of 29.57%. Bilingual programs at Bussey and Carroll are strengths, with Bussey’s Spanish reading and math scores often exceeding state averages. Carroll’s 4th-grade math anomaly suggests a localized success worth investigating, while Keeble’s early childhood focus is vital for preparing students for elementary school in this high-poverty area.
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