Average
#4236 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 50% in state
Foster EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
3919 WARD ST, Houston, TX 77021
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#4,236 of 8,552
In Houston
#271 of 723
public schools
In district
#100 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Foster EL
Elementary School in Houston · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cullen Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Thompson EL
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Foster EL
Foster EL is a public elementary school in Houston, TX, part of HOUSTON ISD. Foster EL serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Foster EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #4,236 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Foster EL show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Foster EL 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Foster EL — Students at Foster EL score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Foster EL Compares
See how Foster EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3919 WARD ST, Houston, TX 77021
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foster EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THOMPSON EL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is YOUNG EL (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BASTIAN EL (rated 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CULLEN MIDDLE Houston | 0.2 mi | 3.4 |
| THOMPSON EL Houston | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| BEATRICE MAYES INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| WHIDBY EL Houston | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| HARTSFIELD EL Houston | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ENERGY INSTITUTE H S Houston | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| THE LAWSON ACADEMY Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| MELINDA WEBB SCHOOL Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| ATTUCKS MIDDLE Houston | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| YOUNG EL Houston | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| YES PREP - SOUTHSIDE Houston | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| SOUTHSIDE EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| LOCKHART EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| KIPP PEACE EL Houston | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| M.O.M. EARLY CHILDHOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston | 1.8 mi | — |
| JONES FUTURES ACADEMY Houston | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| BASTIAN EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| KIPP LIBERATION COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| ST MARY OF THE PURIFICATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Houston | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| KELSO EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,034
Median Home Value
$203,900
Median Rent
$1,193/mo
Population
24,884
College Educated
33.9%
Homeownership
39.8%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
28.7%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AARON PARKER EL Paris, TX | 6.4 |
| ALIEF MONTESSORI COMMUNITY SCHOOL Houston, TX | 6.4 |
| ALTON EL Mission, TX | 6.4 |
| ALVAREZ EL Mcallen, TX | 6.4 |
| BASIS SAN ANTONIO PRI - NORTHEAST CAMPUS San Antonio, TX | 6.4 |
| BENBROOK EL Fort Worth, TX | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foster EL
What grades does Foster EL serve?
Foster EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Foster EL?
Foster EL has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foster EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Foster EL is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foster EL rank in TX?
Foster EL ranks #4,236 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Foster EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Foster EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Foster EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Foster EL has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Foster EL a charter school?
No, Foster EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foster EL a Title I school?
No, Foster EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foster EL?
100.0% of students at Foster EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 363
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.6%
- Phone
- (713) 746-8260
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #100 of 272
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
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