Average
#790 of 1,356 schools in AL
Mcdonnell Elementary School
Elementary School · Huntsville City
4010 Binderton Pl, Huntsville, AL 35805
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#30 of 47
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#603 of 696
In district
#28 of 43
Huntsville City
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Mcdonnell Elementary School
McDonnell Elementary School is a regular public school located in Huntsville, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 445 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment. The dedicated teaching staff, consisting of 25 full-time equivalent teachers, works diligently to help students achieve their academic potential.
McDonnell Elementary's academic performance is currently rated at 3.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 18th percentile among Alabama schools. While the ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 27% and the Math proficiency rate is 8%, the school is focusing on student development and growth to improve these scores. The school's setting is in a mid-size city, within a neighborhood that faces economic challenges, with a median household income of $30,365 and a poverty rate of 33.3%.
Despite these challenges, the community comes together to support the students' educational journey. McDonnell Elementary School is situated in a neighborhood where the median home value is $93,300, and about 18% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. The school's setting reflects a close-knit community dedicated to the well-being and education of its youngest members.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mcdonnell Elementary School — Students at Mcdonnell Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.
How Mcdonnell Elementary School Compares
See how Mcdonnell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
4010 Binderton Pl, Huntsville, AL 35805
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcdonnell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitesburg Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ridgecrest Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35805 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,247
Median Home Value
$108,200
Median Rent
$800/mo
Population
21,006
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
33.8%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
33.6%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mcdonnell Elementary School has a median household income of $31,247. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,200, with a median rent of $800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brighton School Brighton, AL | 6.3 |
| Kate Shepard Elementary School Mobile, AL | 6.3 |
| LIFE Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute Montgomery, AL | 6.3 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary School Pleasant Grove, AL | 6.3 |
| Randolph Park Elementary School Anniston, AL | 6.3 |
| Susan Moore Elementary School Blountsville, AL | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcdonnell Elementary School
What grades does Mcdonnell Elementary School serve?
Mcdonnell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mcdonnell Elementary School?
Mcdonnell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdonnell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdonnell Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdonnell Elementary School rank in AL?
Mcdonnell Elementary School is ranked #790 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Mcdonnell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdonnell Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Mcdonnell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcdonnell Elementary School has 12.3% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mcdonnell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mcdonnell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdonnell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mcdonnell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdonnell Elementary School?
88.3% of students at Mcdonnell Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-7280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #28 of 43
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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