Average
#3396 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 40% in state
Ponderosa EL
Elementary School · SPRING ISD
17202 BUTTE CREEK RD, Houston, TX 77090
Enrollment
738
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
738
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#166 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#1,697 of 4,678
In district
#7 of 41
SPRING ISD
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Ponderosa EL
PONDEROSA EL is a regular public elementary school located in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Ponderosa Elementary has an enrollment of 738 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention. The school is staffed with 53 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to their students' learning and development.
PONDEROSA EL's academic performance shows room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and state ranking at #4399 out of 8598 schools in Texas (placing it around the 49th percentile). On standardized tests, 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 38% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate that PONDEROSA EL is focusing on student development and growth.
The school sits in a large suburban area, offering a supportive community environment for its students and families. PONDEROSA EL is part of a neighborhood where residents are likely to engage with the school and support their children's educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Ponderosa EL — Students at Ponderosa EL score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.4%
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: 6.4/10.
How Ponderosa EL Compares
See how Ponderosa EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
17202 BUTTE CREEK RD, Houston, TX 77090
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SPELL WELL MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Spring), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEMM EL (rated 7.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Klein), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BENFER EL (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Klein), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SPRING WOODS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston | 0.4 mi | — |
| HELEN MAJOR EL Houston | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| BAMMEL EL Houston | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| APPLE TREE SCHOOL Houston | 0.8 mi | — |
| ABIDING WORD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Houston | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| WESTFIELD H S Houston | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| ARROW ACADEMY - CHAMPIONS ACADEMY Houston | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| BAMMEL MIDDLE Houston | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| THE SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT BAMMEL Houston | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTHWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Houston | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| MEYER EL Houston | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| MOMENTUM H S Houston | 1.8 mi | — |
| PREMIER H S-HOUSTON (CHAMPIONS) Lewisville | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| SPELL WELL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spring | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| SST CHAMPIONS San Antonio | 1.9 mi | 3.3 |
| STRACK INT Klein | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| LEMM EL Klein | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| BENFER EL Klein | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| CYPRESSWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spring | 2.3 mi | — |
| GREENGATE ACADEMY INC Spring | 2.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77090 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,196
Median Home Value
$235,500
Median Rent
$1,228/mo
Population
41,843
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
28%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
20.1%
Median Age
30.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa EL has a median household income of $48,196. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,500, with a median rent of $1,228/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| A B MCBAY EL Mexia, TX | 6.8 |
| AIKIN EL Paris, TX | 6.8 |
| ARGYLE WEST Argyle, TX | 6.8 |
| AUSTIN ACHIEVE NORTHEAST EL Austin, TX | 6.8 |
| BATY EL Austin, TX | 6.8 |
| BEDFORD HEIGHTS EL Bedford, TX | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa EL
What grades does Ponderosa EL serve?
Ponderosa EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa EL?
Ponderosa EL has an enrollment of approximately 738 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa 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 Ponderosa EL rank in TX?
Ponderosa EL is ranked #3396 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Ponderosa EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa EL has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Ponderosa EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa EL has 38.0% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa EL a charter school?
No, Ponderosa EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa EL a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa EL?
93.4% of students at Ponderosa 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
- 738
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (281) 891-8180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SPRING ISD- District Enrollment
- 33,935
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,710
- District Rank
- #7 of 41
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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