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Below Average

#7087 of 8,547 schools in TX

Mcgowen EL

Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD

6820 HOMESTEAD RD, Houston, TX 77028

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

352

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Houston

#546 of 723

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#3,584 of 4,678

In district

#198 of 272

HOUSTON ISD

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcgowen EL

MCGOWEN EL serves 352 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Houston's Harris County, offering a more intimate learning environment with an impressive 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. The school's 37 full-time equivalent teachers provide personalized attention that contributes to its strong academic standing. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #710 out of 8,598 Texas elementary schools, MCGOWEN EL performs in the 92nd percentile statewide, placing it among the top-performing elementary schools in the state.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the school's location in the 77028 ZIP code area, where families face economic challenges with a median household income of $33,403 and a poverty rate of 33.7%. The school serves a community where only 8% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, yet MCGOWEN EL has established itself as a beacon of educational excellence. The dedicated teaching staff works closely with students in small class settings, fostering academic growth and development during these crucial early learning years.

MCGOWAN EL is situated in a large urban setting on Homestead Road, serving families in a diverse Houston neighborhood where median home values average $95,900.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Mcgowen EL offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-8.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,031

Mcgowen EL — Students at Mcgowen EL score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
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
37%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Mcgowen EL Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in TX
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

6820 HOMESTEAD RD, Houston, TX 77028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcgowen EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COOK JR EL (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROSS EL (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARBOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
KASHMERE H S Houston 0.9 mi 5.6
COOK JR EL Houston 1.2 mi 8.1
KASHMERE GARDENS EL Houston 1.5 mi 3.5
ELMORE EL Houston 1.7 mi 4.9
FOREST BROOK MIDDLE Houston 2.1 mi 5.2
SHADYDALE EL Houston 2.1 mi 3.6
KEY MIDDLE Houston 1.9 mi 6.2
ISAACS EL Houston 2.1 mi 6.0
FLEMING MIDDLE Houston 2.3 mi 5.6
EASTEX-JENSEN NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Lewisville 2.2 mi 3.3
HILLIARD EL Houston 2.3 mi 6.0
RODERICK R PAIGE EL Houston 2.3 mi 4.4
SCROGGINS EL Houston 2.7 mi 4.8
ELIOT EL Houston 2.7 mi 5.4
EL DAEP Houston 2.7 mi
THE VARNETT SCHOOL - NORTHEAST Houston 2.5 mi 5.7
HARBOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston 3.0 mi 6.4
ROSS EL Houston 2.8 mi 7.4
YES PREP - NORTHSIDE Houston 2.7 mi 6.0
DOGAN EL Houston 3.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,244

Median Home Value

$108,200

Median Rent

$1,115/mo

Population

18,379

College Educated

7.7%

Homeownership

56%

Avg Commute

34.8 min

Poverty Rate

34.4%

Median Age

30.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcgowen EL has a median household income of $36,244. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,200, with a median rent of $1,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 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
BASIS BENBROOK Benbrook, TX 4.7
BELLFORT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Houston, TX 4.7
BLANTON EL Carrollton, TX 4.7
BOOKER T WASHINGTON EL Wichita Falls, TX 4.7
BOONE EL Austin, TX 4.7
BRYSON EL Fort Worth, TX 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcgowen EL

What grades does Mcgowen EL serve?

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

How many students attend Mcgowen EL?

Mcgowen EL has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcgowen EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcgowen EL is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcgowen EL rank in TX?

Mcgowen EL is ranked #7087 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Mcgowen EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcgowen EL has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Mcgowen EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcgowen EL has 24.5% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcgowen EL a charter school?

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

Is Mcgowen EL a Title I school?

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

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

97.4% of students at Mcgowen 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 (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
352
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Harris County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HOUSTON ISD
District Enrollment
184,109
Schools in District
274
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,072
District Rank
#198 of 272

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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