Needs Improvement
#8217 of 8,547 schools in TX
Foster EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
3919 WARD ST, Houston, TX 77021
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#689 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,384 of 4,678
In district
#259 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
About Foster EL
Foster Elementary is a public elementary school located in the bustling city of Houston, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Foster Elementary has an enrollment of 363 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the seventh percentile among Texas schools.
While Foster Elementary's test scores show areas where there is room for improvement—44% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficiency or above in Math—the school focuses on providing a nurturing environment that supports each student’s development. The dedicated teachers work closely with students to help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Foster Elementary is situated in the heart of Houston, making it a vibrant part of its urban community.
This setting offers numerous opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings and learn from diverse experiences right within their neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Foster EL — Students at Foster EL score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 1.4/10.
How Foster EL Compares
See how Foster EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
3919 WARD ST, Houston, TX 77021
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foster EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HARTSFIELD EL (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WHIDBY EL (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YOUNG EL (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.3 |
| THOMPSON EL Houston | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BEATRICE MAYES INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| WHIDBY EL Houston | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| HARTSFIELD EL Houston | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ENERGY INSTITUTE H S Houston | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| THE LAWSON ACADEMY Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| MELINDA WEBB SCHOOL Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| ATTUCKS MIDDLE Houston | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| YOUNG EL Houston | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| YES PREP - SOUTHSIDE Houston | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTHSIDE EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| LOCKHART EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| KIPP PEACE EL Houston | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| M.O.M. EARLY CHILDHOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston | 1.8 mi | — |
| JONES FUTURES ACADEMY Houston | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| BASTIAN EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| KIPP LIBERATION COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| ST MARY OF THE PURIFICATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Houston | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| KELSO EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foster EL has a median household income of $45,034. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,900, with a median rent of $1,193/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| BAKER-RIPLEY CHARTER SCHOOL Houston, TX | 3.5 |
| BASKIN EL San Antonio, TX | 3.5 |
| BENAVIDES HEIGHTS EL Eagle Pass, TX | 3.5 |
| BRISCOE EL San Antonio, TX | 3.5 |
| CENTRAL EL Duncanville, TX | 3.5 |
| DISHMAN EL Harlingen, TX | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #8217 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Foster EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Foster EL has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Foster EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foster EL has 34.5% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (5,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (713) 746-8260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #259 of 272
Other Schools in This District
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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