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Needs Improvement

#8408 of 8,547 schools in TX

Mcnamara EL

Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD

8714 MCAVOY DR, Houston, TX 77074

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

962

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Houston

#711 of 723

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,551 of 4,678

In district

#268 of 272

HOUSTON ISD

About Mcnamara EL

McNamara Elementary serves 962 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Houston's 77074 zip code area. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 57 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school currently holds a 4.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #7164 out of 8598 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 17th percentile among Texas schools.

McNamara Elementary is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth as it works to better serve its large student body. Located on McAvoy Drive, the school sits within a diverse urban community where the median household income is $48,196 and median home values average $186,600. About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the neighborhood faces economic challenges with a poverty rate of 25.3%.

Despite these challenges, McNamara Elementary serves as an important educational anchor in this Harris County community. The school's substantial enrollment reflects its role in educating a significant number of local families' children. McNamara Elementary operates within Houston's large city setting, serving families in a working-class neighborhood that values education while navigating economic realities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,031

Mcnamara EL — Students at Mcnamara EL score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.0%
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
39%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
7.5%
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: 2.7/10.

How Mcnamara EL Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
2th percentile in TX
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

8714 MCAVOY DR, Houston, TX 77074

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcnamara EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE PARISH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI LEARNING INSTITUTE (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BONHAM EL (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
ENERGIZED FOR STEM ACADEMY H S Houston 0.5 mi 4.9
ENERGIZED FOR STEM ACADEMY MIDDLE Houston 0.5 mi 2.7
SUGAR GROVE ACADEMY Houston 0.6 mi 6.4
FONDREN MIDDLE Houston 0.6 mi 5.6
MONTESSORI LEARNING INSTITUTE Houston 0.7 mi 7.2
SHARPSTOWN H S Houston 0.8 mi 5.9
ELROD EL Houston 0.9 mi 5.0
SUTTON EL Houston 0.9 mi 4.2
TORAH GIRLS ACADEMY OF TEXAS Houston 1.0 mi 6.4
BONHAM EL Houston 0.9 mi 6.0
HEROD EL Houston 1.0 mi 5.1
ENERGIZED FOR EXCELLENCE ACADEMY EL Houston 1.1 mi 3.7
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL Houston 1.1 mi 6.3
THE SHLENKER SCHOOL Houston 1.1 mi 4.5
ST THOMAS MORE PARISH SCHOOL Houston 1.2 mi 8.2
ENERGIZED FOR EXCELLENCE ACADEMY INC MIDDLE Houston 1.2 mi 3.3
WESTBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Houston 1.3 mi 8.1
ENERGIZED FOR EXCELLENCE ACADEMY ECC Houston 1.3 mi 4.9
BRAEBURN EL Houston 1.3 mi 3.7
LONG ACADEMY Houston 1.4 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77074 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,408

Median Home Value

$201,600

Median Rent

$1,066/mo

Population

37,467

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

32.6%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

27.2%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcnamara EL has a median household income of $47,408. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,600, with a median rent of $1,066/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
CARROLL T WELCH EL El Paso, TX 3.0
DR SUE A SHOOK SCHOOL El Paso, TX 3.0
FORESTER EL San Antonio, TX 3.0
GENERAL RICARDO SANCHEZ EL Rio Grande City, TX 3.0
GOOD EL Irving, TX 3.0
IDEA ACADEMY WESLACO Weslaco, TX 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcnamara EL

What grades does Mcnamara EL serve?

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

How many students attend Mcnamara EL?

Mcnamara EL has an enrollment of approximately 962 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcnamara EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcnamara EL is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcnamara EL rank in TX?

Mcnamara EL is ranked #8408 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Mcnamara EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcnamara EL has a composite rating of 3.0 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 Mcnamara EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcnamara EL has 23.3% math proficiency and 24.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcnamara EL a charter school?

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

Is Mcnamara EL a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Mcnamara 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,451/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
962
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
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
#268 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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