Needs Improvement
#8165 of 8,547 schools in TX
Macdonell EL
Elementary School · LAREDO ISD
1606 BENAVIDES, Laredo, TX 78040
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laredo
#64 of 78
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,338 of 4,678
In district
#24 of 29
LAREDO ISD
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Macdonell EL
MACDONELL EL is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Laredo, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, MACDONELL EL has an enrollment of 491 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated within a bustling urban environment in the city’s Laredo neighborhood.
MACDONELL EL's academic performance currently ranks at the lower end, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8197 out of 8598 schools in Texas (5th percentile). The school shows areas for improvement in test scores, with 38% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficiency or above in Math. Despite these challenges, MACDONELL EL continues to focus on student development and growth.
MACDONELL EL is a part of the larger city community, providing resources and support tailored for urban families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Macdonell EL — Students at Macdonell EL score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
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 Macdonell EL Compares
See how Macdonell EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
1606 BENAVIDES, Laredo, TX 78040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Macdonell EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FARIAS EL (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SANTA MARIA EL (rated 5.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST AUGUSTINE ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Laredo, see our Laredo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTEN MIDDLE Laredo | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| MARTIN H S Laredo | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| LEYENDECKER EL Laredo | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| BRUNI EL Laredo | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| DOVALINA EL Laredo | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| J C MARTIN JR EL Laredo | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| MEMORIAL MIDDLE Laredo | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| DON JOSE GALLEGO Laredo | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| T SANCHEZ EL / H OCHOA EL Laredo | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| SANTA MARIA EL Laredo | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| CHAMPIONS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laredo | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| FARIAS EL Laredo | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| TARVER EL Laredo | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE - LAREDO Laredo | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY - LAREDO Laredo | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| ST AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL Laredo | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| ST AUGUSTINE ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Laredo | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| HEIGHTS EL Laredo | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| PIERCE EL Laredo | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| DAICHES EL Laredo | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,742
Median Home Value
$116,500
Median Rent
$881/mo
Population
36,115
College Educated
8.8%
Homeownership
37.9%
Avg Commute
20.4 min
Poverty Rate
33.8%
Median Age
29.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Macdonell EL has a median household income of $35,742. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,500, with a median rent of $881/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ALTO BONITO EL Rio Grande City, TX | 3.6 |
| BRADFORD EL San Angelo, TX | 3.6 |
| CALALLEN EAST EL Corpus Christi, TX | 3.6 |
| CASH EL San Benito, TX | 3.6 |
| CLASSICAL CENTER AT VIAL EL Garland, TX | 3.6 |
| EL MAGNET AT ZAVALA Odessa, TX | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Macdonell EL
What grades does Macdonell EL serve?
Macdonell EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Macdonell EL?
Macdonell EL has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Macdonell EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Macdonell EL is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Macdonell EL rank in TX?
Macdonell EL is ranked #8165 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Macdonell EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Macdonell EL has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Macdonell EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Macdonell EL has 34.5% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Macdonell EL a charter school?
No, Macdonell EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Macdonell EL a Title I school?
No, Macdonell EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Macdonell EL?
99.0% of students at Macdonell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,849/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laredo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 491
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Webb County
- Phone
- (956) 273-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAREDO ISD- District Enrollment
- 20,592
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,886
- District Rank
- #24 of 29
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
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