Average
#5969 of 8,547 schools in TX
Petersen EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
14404 WATERLOO DR, Houston, TX 77045
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#409 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,959 of 4,678
In district
#149 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Petersen EL
Petersen Elementary is a regular public school in Houston, Texas, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 361 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, Petersen offers personalized attention to its young learners. The school has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development.
Academically, Petersen Elementary ranks in the 18th percentile among Texas schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. While the ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 27% and math proficiency is slightly higher at 32%, there's room for improvement to better support students’ educational needs. Petersen Elementary sits in the heart of a bustling city, providing its diverse student body with an urban learning environment that offers unique opportunities.
The school community focuses on nurturing young minds and helping each child reach their full potential despite current challenges.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Petersen EL — Students at Petersen EL score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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: 4.7/10.
How Petersen EL Compares
See how Petersen EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
14404 WATERLOO DR, Houston, TX 77045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Petersen EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SILVERLINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL - SHADOW CREEK (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Pearland), which scores notably higher. Another option is RIDGEMONT EL (rated 6.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, RIDGEMONT EARLY LITERACY CENTER (rated 6.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KING EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Houston | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| MONTGOMERY EL Houston | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| R D S P D Houston | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| MADISON H S Houston | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| ALMEDA EL Houston | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| HOBBY EL Houston | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| YES PREP - SOUTHWEST Houston | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| LAWSON MIDDLE Houston | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| GRISSOM EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| REAGAN K-8 EDUCATIONAL CTR Houston | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| SOUTH EARLY COLLEGE H S Houston | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF WEST PEARLAND Pearland | 2.9 mi | — |
| RIDGEMONT EL Houston | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| RIDGEMONT EARLY LITERACY CENTER Houston | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| WINDSOR VILLAGE EL Houston | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| SILVERLINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL - SHADOW CREEK Pearland | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
| LAURA INGALLS WILDER EL Alvin | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| THE IMANI SCHOOL Houston | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| HINES-CALDWELL Houston | 2.9 mi | 4.1 |
| NOLAN RYAN J H Alvin | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,166
Median Home Value
$163,600
Median Rent
$1,260/mo
Population
32,482
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
21.8%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Petersen EL has a median household income of $61,166. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,600, with a median rent of $1,260/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ALLEN EL San Antonio, TX | 5.4 |
| ALTON BOWEN EL Bryan, TX | 5.4 |
| AVVAI TAMIL CENTER Frisco, TX | 5.4 |
| BLOOMINGTON EL Bloomington, TX | 5.4 |
| CONNALLY EL Waco, TX | 5.4 |
| COOPER EL Garland, TX | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Petersen EL
What grades does Petersen EL serve?
Petersen EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Petersen EL?
Petersen EL has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Petersen EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Petersen EL is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Petersen EL rank in TX?
Petersen EL is ranked #5969 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Petersen EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Petersen EL has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Petersen EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Petersen EL has 32.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Petersen EL a charter school?
No, Petersen EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Petersen EL a Title I school?
No, Petersen EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Petersen EL?
97.2% of students at Petersen 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
- 361
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (713) 434-5630
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #149 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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