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Average

#959 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

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#959 of 1,356

In Huntsville

#38 of 47

public schools

In district

#35 of 43

Huntsville City

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Mcdonnell Elementary School

5.3/10

Elementary School in Huntsville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ridgecrest Elementary School

6.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Huntsville College Preparatory School

Nearby

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mcdonnell Elementary School

Mcdonnell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Huntsville, AL, part of Huntsville City. Mcdonnell Elementary School serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdonnell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #959 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Mcdonnell Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Mcdonnell Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.2% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-20.6 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,146
Chronic Absenteeism35.3%

Mcdonnell Elementary School — Students at Mcdonnell Elementary School score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
21%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2024
ELA
62.2%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Mcdonnell Elementary School Compares

See how Mcdonnell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in AL
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Roger B Chaffee Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitesburg Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ridgecrest Elementary School Huntsville 0.8 mi 6.0
HUNTSVILLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Huntsville 1.8 mi
Morris Elementary School Huntsville 1.9 mi 5.9
Morris Middle School Huntsville 1.9 mi 6.9
FAITH COVENANT ACADEMY Huntsville 1.9 mi 4.4
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Huntsville 2.0 mi 7.2
VALLEY FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville 2.7 mi 6.2
Huntsville High School Huntsville 2.5 mi 6.6
Sonnie Hereford Elementary School Huntsville 3.0 mi 7.1
HOLY SPIRIT REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntsville 2.5 mi 6.9
FOSTER ACADEMY Huntsville 3.0 mi
HOLY FAMILY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Huntsville 3.2 mi 7.0
Whitesburg Elementary School Huntsville 2.9 mi 7.3
Whitesburg Middle School Huntsville 2.9 mi 3.4
WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville 3.0 mi 5.7
SUSANNA WESLEY EARLY EDUCATION MINISTRY Huntsville 3.4 mi
Huntsville Junior High School Huntsville 3.3 mi 3.2
THE RILEY BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER Huntsville 3.4 mi
Roger B Chaffee Elementary School Huntsville 3.4 mi 7.9
THE PINNACLE SCHOOL Huntsville 3.7 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dixon Elementary School Irvington, AL 5.3
Goshen Elementary School Goshen, AL 5.3
Mary W Burroughs Elementary School Theodore, AL 5.3
Minor Community School Birmingham, AL 5.3
Morris Slingluff Elementary School Dothan, AL 5.3
Robinson Elementary School Birmingham, AL 5.3

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 ranks #959 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Mcdonnell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcdonnell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mcdonnell Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdonnell Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

District

Huntsville City
District Enrollment
23,649
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,146
District Rank
#35 of 43

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