Skip to main content

Average

#3961 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 46% in state

Gray EL

Elementary School · MESQUITE ISD

3500 PIONEER RD, Balch Springs, TX 75180

Enrollment

427

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Balch Springs

#1 of 5

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#1,936 of 4,678

In district

#25 of 50

MESQUITE ISD

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Gray EL

GRAY EL is an elementary school located in Balch Springs, Dallas County, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 427 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention and support for each child’s learning journey. The teachers at GRAY EL are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can grow academically and socially.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, GRAY EL is currently ranked as a mid-tier public elementary school in Texas, with room for academic growth. On average, 36% of students meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 44% are proficient or above in math. The school's setting within a large suburban area offers a variety of resources and opportunities for extracurricular activities and community engagement.

GRAY EL is situated in an area with diverse families and local amenities, providing students with a rich environment to explore and learn beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,612

Gray EL — Students at Gray EL score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
32%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Gray EL Compares

See how Gray EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in TX
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

3500 PIONEER RD, Balch Springs, TX 75180

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gray EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MCWHORTER EL (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mesquite), which scores notably higher. Another option is FLOYD EL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Blach Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RICHARD LAGOW EL (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Dallas), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Balch Springs, see our Balch Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
CALVARY TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mesquite 0.3 mi 4.6
HODGES EL Balch Springs 0.6 mi 6.2
NEW MIDDLE Mesquite 0.5 mi 7.7
MACKEY EL Balch Springs 1.1 mi 4.8
FLOYD EL Blach Springs 1.3 mi 8.0
VROONLAND - VANGUARD H S Mesquite 1.5 mi 4.6
PIONEER TECHNOLOGY (PTAA) MESQUITE EL Dallas 1.9 mi 4.4
BALCH SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Balch Springs 1.8 mi 6.9
GENTRY EL Mesquite 1.8 mi 6.4
MCWHORTER EL Mesquite 2.0 mi 8.2
MESQUITE BAPTIST ACADEMY Mesquite 2.2 mi 7.1
YOUNG WOMEN'S STEAM ACADEMY AT BALCH SPRINGS MIDDL Balch Springs 2.0 mi 5.6
MOSS EL Mesquite 2.4 mi 5.4
DR LINDA HENRIE EL Mesquite 2.2 mi 5.2
KLEBERG EL Dallas 2.5 mi 5.6
KIPP PLEASANT GROVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Balch Springs 2.3 mi 4.7
AGNEW MIDDLE Mesquite 2.5 mi 7.6
RICHARD LAGOW EL Dallas 2.3 mi 6.7
GILBERT CUELLAR SR EL Dallas 2.3 mi 6.0
BLACK EL Mesquite 2.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 75180 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,695

Median Home Value

$208,100

Median Rent

$1,249/mo

Population

27,006

College Educated

11.3%

Homeownership

64.1%

Avg Commute

36.1 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gray EL has a median household income of $70,695. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,100, with a median rent of $1,249/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dallas, TX 6.5
ALTON BOYD EL Allen, TX 6.5
ANNETTE PERRY EL Mansfield, TX 6.5
BARBARA JORDAN EL Richmond, TX 6.5
BOWIE PRI Sulphur Springs, TX 6.5
CARMONA-HARRISON EL Lubbock, TX 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gray EL

What grades does Gray EL serve?

Gray EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Gray EL?

Gray EL has an enrollment of approximately 427 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gray EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Gray EL is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gray EL rank in TX?

Gray EL is ranked #3961 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Gray EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Gray EL has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Gray EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gray EL has 43.5% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gray EL a charter school?

No, Gray EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gray EL a Title I school?

No, Gray EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gray EL?

90.9% of students at Gray 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,237/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Balch Springs). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MESQUITE ISD
District Enrollment
38,265
Schools in District
51
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,223
District Rank
#25 of 50

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.