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Excellent

#1035 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 12% in state

Macdonell EL

Elementary School · LAREDO ISD

1606 BENAVIDES, Laredo, TX 78040

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#1,035 of 8,552

In Laredo

#16 of 78

public schools

In district

#11 of 29

LAREDO ISD

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Macdonell EL

8.3/10

Elementary School in Laredo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Christen Middle

6.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Martin H S

7.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Macdonell EL

Macdonell EL is a public elementary school in Laredo, TX, part of LAREDO ISD. Macdonell EL serves approximately 491 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Macdonell EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,035 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Macdonell EL show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+28.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+39.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,886
Chronic Absenteeism11.2%

Macdonell EL — Students at Macdonell EL score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 58.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
94%
ELA
99.5%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
13.3%
ELA
36.6%
2024
Math
72%
ELA
72%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Macdonell EL Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in TX
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1606 BENAVIDES, Laredo, TX 78040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Macdonell EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J C MARTIN JR EL (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LEYENDECKER EL (rated 9.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HEIGHTS EL (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 6.8
MARTIN H S Laredo 0.6 mi 7.5
LEYENDECKER EL Laredo 0.6 mi 9.0
BRUNI EL Laredo 0.6 mi 7.9
DOVALINA EL Laredo 0.6 mi 8.0
J C MARTIN JR EL Laredo 1.0 mi 9.3
MEMORIAL MIDDLE Laredo 1.1 mi 8.4
DON JOSE GALLEGO Laredo 1.3 mi 5.8
T SANCHEZ EL / H OCHOA EL Laredo 1.4 mi 8.2
SANTA MARIA EL Laredo 1.5 mi 8.5
CHAMPIONS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laredo 1.6 mi 6.4
FARIAS EL Laredo 1.8 mi 8.6
TARVER EL Laredo 1.7 mi 7.9
HARMONY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE - LAREDO Laredo 1.8 mi 7.9
HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY - LAREDO Laredo 1.8 mi 7.0
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 8.7
PIERCE EL Laredo 2.1 mi 8.4
DAICHES EL Laredo 2.2 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston, TX 8.3
ANNA MAY DAULTON EL Grand Prairie, TX 8.3
ANNIE SIMS EL Mount Pleasant, TX 8.3
BLANCA E SANCHEZ Mcallen, TX 8.3
BLAND EL Merit, TX 8.3
BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY Longview, TX 8.3

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 ranks #1,035 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Macdonell EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Macdonell EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Macdonell EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Macdonell EL has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.2%

District

LAREDO ISD
District Enrollment
20,592
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,886
District Rank
#11 of 29

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