Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#8272 of 8,552 schools in TX

Purcell EL

Elementary School · ABILENE ISD

3633 N 14TH ST, Abilene, TX 79603

Enrollment

594

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,272 of 8,552

In Abilene

#31 of 32

public schools

In district

#23 of 24

ABILENE ISD

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Purcell EL?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Purcell EL

3.0/10

Elementary School in Abilene · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Stafford EL

5.4/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Long Early Learning Center

3.7/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Purcell EL

Purcell EL is a public elementary school in Abilene, TX, part of ABILENE ISD. Purcell EL serves approximately 594 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Purcell EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #8,272 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Purcell EL show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,604
Chronic Absenteeism26.9%

Purcell EL — Students at Purcell EL score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
27.3%
ELA
33.8%
2024
Math
27%
ELA
38%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Purcell EL Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in TX
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3633 N 14TH ST, Abilene, TX 79603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Purcell EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AUSTIN EL (rated 5.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Abilene, see our Abilene schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
STAFFORD EL Abilene 0.7 mi 5.4
LONG EARLY LEARNING CENTER Abilene 0.9 mi 3.7
ABILENE H S Abilene 0.9 mi 5.3
MANN MIDDLE Abilene 1.1 mi 3.6
ORTIZ EL Abilene 1.4 mi 2.9
BONHAM EL Abilene 1.6 mi 4.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abilene 1.6 mi 6.0
MARTINEZ EL Abilene 1.4 mi 5.0
TEXAS LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE San Angelo 1.5 mi 3.8
CROCKETT EARLY HEADSTART Abilene 2.1 mi 3.3
KENLEY SCHOOL Abilene 2.4 mi 6.2
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Abilene 2.8 mi 7.1
AUSTIN EL Abilene 3.1 mi 5.5
PREMIER H S OF ABILENE Lewisville 3.1 mi 7.3
DAEP Abilene 2.8 mi 3.2
CLACK MIDDLE Abilene 3.0 mi 3.9
BOWIE EL Abilene 3.2 mi 5.3
MADISON MIDDLE Abilene 3.6 mi 3.8
WOODSON CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE Abilene 3.1 mi 6.7
ALCORTA EL Abilene 3.7 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,579

Median Home Value

$114,000

Median Rent

$1,022/mo

Population

23,876

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

57.5%

Avg Commute

14.8 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BLAKE MANOR EL Manor, TX 3.0
BOWIE EL San Angelo, TX 3.0
BRITAIN EL Irving, TX 3.0
CARROLL EL Corsicana, TX 3.0
CHERRY EL Bay City, TX 3.0
CONNALLY PRI Elm Mott, TX 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Purcell EL

What grades does Purcell EL serve?

Purcell EL serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Purcell EL?

Purcell EL has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Purcell EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Purcell EL is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Purcell EL rank in TX?

Purcell EL ranks #8,272 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Purcell EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Purcell EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Purcell EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Purcell EL has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Purcell EL a charter school?

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

Is Purcell EL a Title I school?

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

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

84.0% of students at Purcell 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Taylor County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

District

ABILENE ISD
District Enrollment
14,652
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,604
District Rank
#23 of 24

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.