Average
#6444 of 8,552 schools in TX
Ponder EL
Elementary School · PONDER ISD
400 W BAILEY ST, Ponder, TX 76259
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#6,444 of 8,552
In Ponder
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
PONDER ISD
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Ponder EL
Elementary School in Ponder · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ponder H S
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ponder J H
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ponder EL
Ponder EL is a public elementary school in Ponder, TX, part of PONDER ISD. Ponder EL serves approximately 773 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponder EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #6,444 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Ponder EL show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Ponder EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ponder EL — Students at Ponder EL score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 5.0/10.
How Ponder EL Compares
See how Ponder EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. ARGYLE WEST (rated 9.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Argyle), which scores notably higher. Another option is LANCE THOMPSON EL (rated 8.6/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Argyle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILLTOP EL (rated 8.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Argyle), 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 | 7.5 |
| PONDER J H Ponder | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| LANCE THOMPSON EL Argyle | 5.7 mi | 8.6 |
| ARGYLE WEST Argyle | 5.9 mi | 9.0 |
| DYER EL Krum | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| KRUM MIDDLE Krum | 6.5 mi | 5.3 |
| BLANCHE DODD EL Krum | 6.6 mi | 6.5 |
| JUSTIN EL Justin | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| KRUM H S Krum | 6.8 mi | 6.6 |
| KRUM EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Krum | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| ARGYLE 6TH GRADE CENTER Argyle | 7.4 mi | 7.5 |
| NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-NORTH CAMPUS Denton | 7.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HILLTOP EL Argyle | 7.8 mi | 8.4 |
| ARGYLE SOUTH EL Flower Mound | 8.5 mi | 8.1 |
| ARGYLE MIDDLE Argyle | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| ARGYLE H S Flower Mound | 9.0 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A N RICO EL Weslaco, TX | 5.0 |
| AIKIN EL Paris, TX | 5.0 |
| ARIZONA FLEMING EL Houston, TX | 5.0 |
| CALLISBURG EL Gainesville, TX | 5.0 |
| CITY VIEW EL Wichita Falls, TX | 5.0 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK EL Hutto, TX | 5.0 |
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 ranks #6,444 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Ponder EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponder EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ponder EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponder EL has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.9%
- Phone
- (940) 479-8320
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
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