Below Average
#7087 of 8,547 schools in TX
Mcgowen EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
6820 HOMESTEAD RD, Houston, TX 77028
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Data not available for this school
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Mcgowen EL — Students at Mcgowen EL score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.4%
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: 3.9/10.
How Mcgowen EL Compares
See how Mcgowen EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2021).
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.
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
- Phone
- (713) 636-6979
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #198 of 272
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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