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Needs Improvement

#8499 of 8,547 schools in TX

Kipp Explore Academy

Elementary School · KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

5402 LAWNDALE ST, Houston, TX 77023

Charter
Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

852

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

2.5

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Houston

#719 of 723

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,633 of 4,678

In district

#50 of 56

KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Kipp Explore Academy

KIPP Explore Academy is a public charter school located in Houston serving students from prekindergarten through fourth grade. The school enrolls 852 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1 and a team of 39 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, KIPP Explore Academy is currently focused on student development, with room for growth across core subjects.

In English language arts, 42% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while 38% met proficiency benchmarks in math. The school's academic performance reflects the challenges it faces in supporting its student population, and families considering enrollment should understand that the school is working to strengthen its instructional outcomes. The school's location on Lawndale Street places it within Houston's urban landscape, providing families in the area with a local educational option that emphasizes the charter school model.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Kipp Explore Academy is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Kipp Explore Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,327

Kipp Explore Academy — Students at Kipp Explore Academy score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
59%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Kipp Explore Academy Compares

See how Kipp Explore Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.5/10
1th percentile in TX
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

5402 LAWNDALE ST, Houston, TX 77023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kipp Explore Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HENDERSON J EL (rated 7.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TIJERINA EL (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PECK EL (rated 6.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
KIPP INTREPID PREPARATORY Houston 0.0 mi 4.0
KIPP EAST END H S Houston 0.0 mi 8.5
HENDERSON J EL Houston 0.3 mi 7.7
COMMUNITY SERVICES-SEC Houston 0.5 mi 6.6
NAVARRO MIDDLE Houston 0.6 mi 4.0
EASTWOOD ACADEMY Houston 0.7 mi 6.7
AUSTIN H S Houston 0.7 mi 4.8
CARRILLO EL Houston 0.7 mi 4.4
CAGE EL Houston 0.9 mi 4.1
PROJECT CHRYSALIS MIDDLE Houston 0.9 mi 6.5
GEORGE I SANCHEZ CHARTER Houston 1.1 mi 5.6
LANTRIP EL Houston 1.2 mi 4.3
TIJERINA EL Houston 1.2 mi 7.7
BURNET EL Houston 1.3 mi 4.1
LAURENZO EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Houston 1.3 mi 3.9
PECK EL Houston 1.6 mi 6.3
BRISCOE EL Houston 1.5 mi 3.3
RIPLEY HOUSE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston 1.7 mi 3.1
RIPLEY HOUSE MIDDLE CAMPUS Houston 1.7 mi 3.7
EDISON MIDDLE Houston 1.7 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,018

Median Home Value

$279,300

Median Rent

$1,079/mo

Population

24,962

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

44.4%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kipp Explore Academy has a median household income of $50,018. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,300, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
CAMPESTRE EL El Paso, TX 2.5
CHESTER E JORDAN El Paso, TX 2.5
CLECKLER/HEALD EL Weslaco, TX 2.5
SALINAS EL Laredo, TX 2.5
SIERRA VISTA STEAM ACADEMY El Paso, TX 2.5
SPENCE EL Houston, TX 2.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kipp Explore Academy

What grades does Kipp Explore Academy serve?

Kipp Explore Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Kipp Explore Academy?

Kipp Explore Academy has an enrollment of approximately 852 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kipp Explore Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Kipp Explore Academy is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kipp Explore Academy rank in TX?

Kipp Explore Academy is ranked #8499 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Kipp Explore Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Kipp Explore Academy has a composite rating of 2.5 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 Kipp Explore Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kipp Explore Academy has 38.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kipp Explore Academy a charter school?

Yes, Kipp Explore Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Kipp Explore Academy a Title I school?

No, Kipp Explore Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kipp Explore Academy?

94.0% of students at Kipp Explore Academy 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 (5,451/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
852
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Harris County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
34,111
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,447
District Rank
#50 of 56

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

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