Average
#4178 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 49% in state
Ponder EL
Elementary School · PONDER ISD
400 W BAILEY ST, Ponder, TX 76259
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ponder
#3 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,044 of 4,678
In district
#3 of 3
PONDER ISD
About Ponder EL
Ponder Elementary serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Ponder, located in Denton County. The school enrolls 773 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2 to 1, supported by 51 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Ponder EL is working toward strengthening student performance with room for growth.
About 42% of students are proficient or above in English language arts, while 46% meet proficiency standards in math. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 reflects these developmental areas, and it ranks in the 58th percentile statewide among Texas schools. With an academic score of 6.5 out of 10, the school is part of the broader dialogue about supporting student achievement across the state.
The school's rural setting provides a distinct community environment, offering families a different educational experience than more densely populated areas. Ponder EL continues to serve its local families while focusing on student development and academic growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ponder EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Ponder EL — Students at Ponder EL score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.9%
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: 6.7/10.
How Ponder EL Compares
See how Ponder EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 41% (2021).
Location
400 W BAILEY ST, Ponder, TX 76259
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponder EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BLANCHE DODD EL (rated 8.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Krum), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-NORTH CAMPUS (rated 7.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Denton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DYER EL (rated 7.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Krum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ponder, see our Ponder schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PONDER H S Ponder | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| PONDER J H Ponder | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| LANCE THOMPSON EL Argyle | 5.7 mi | 6.3 |
| ARGYLE WEST Argyle | 5.9 mi | 6.8 |
| DYER EL Krum | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| KRUM MIDDLE Krum | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| BLANCHE DODD EL Krum | 6.6 mi | 8.0 |
| JUSTIN EL Justin | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| KRUM H S Krum | 6.8 mi | 6.9 |
| KRUM EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Krum | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| ARGYLE 6TH GRADE CENTER Argyle | 7.4 mi | 7.5 |
| NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-NORTH CAMPUS Denton | 7.8 mi | 7.9 |
| HILLTOP EL Argyle | 7.8 mi | 7.5 |
| ARGYLE SOUTH EL Flower Mound | 8.5 mi | 6.6 |
| ARGYLE MIDDLE Argyle | 8.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ARGYLE H S Flower Mound | 9.0 mi | 8.1 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denton | 8.5 mi | 7.0 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Argyle | 9.1 mi | 5.8 |
| DENTON H S Denton | 8.7 mi | 8.6 |
| KI CHARTER - DENTON Denton | 8.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76259 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,433
Median Home Value
$356,600
Median Rent
$1,387/mo
Population
5,628
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponder EL has a median household income of $94,433. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,600, with a median rent of $1,387/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| AUSTIN PARKWAY EL Sugar Land, TX | 6.4 |
| B H MACON EL Dallas, TX | 6.4 |
| BLANTON EL Austin, TX | 6.4 |
| BLUEBONNET EL Fort Worth, TX | 6.4 |
| BRIGHT ACAD Frisco, TX | 6.4 |
| BRILL EL Klein, TX | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponder EL
What grades does Ponder EL serve?
Ponder EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponder EL?
Ponder EL has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponder EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponder EL is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponder EL rank in TX?
Ponder EL is ranked #4178 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Ponder EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponder EL has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Ponder EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponder EL has 46.5% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponder EL a charter school?
No, Ponder EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponder EL a Title I school?
No, Ponder EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponder EL?
45.9% of students at Ponder 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
- Low (244/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ponder). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 773
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Denton County
- Phone
- (940) 479-8320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PONDER ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,677
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,102
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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
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