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Average

#479 of 884 private schools in TX

Runnels Academy

School

102 E 10TH ST, Big Spring, TX 79720

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TX statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

66

Student-Teacher

6.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 10th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Texas schools

#184 of 348

About Runnels Academy

Runnels Academy serves 66 students from prekindergarten through 10th grade in Big Spring, Texas, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 6.1 to 1. This regular public school benefits from having 11 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each student in their academic journey. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #434 out of 884 schools statewide, placing it in the 51st percentile among Texas schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education within a close-knit learning community where students can receive individualized support and guidance. Runnels Academy's small enrollment creates opportunities for students to actively participate in various activities and develop strong relationships with both peers and faculty. The intimate setting allows teachers to closely monitor student progress and adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs.

The school is situated in Big Spring, a town community in Howard County where the median household income is $66,655 and median home values average $132,700. This area serves a population of over 32,000 residents, with 14.5% of families experiencing poverty and 14% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a diverse community environment that enriches the educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 66 students, Runnels Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, Runnels Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Runnels Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2022 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$15,023
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$15,206
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.01x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
33%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$439,715

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 66 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Runnels Academy compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Big Spring, TX

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
This School
vs
14.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
66
This School
vs
431
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
6.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 75.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 21.2% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
Runnels Academy Big Spring Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Runnels Academy (this school) 6.3
BIG SPRING H S 6.0
BIG SPRING J H 7.8
GOLIAD EL 7.4
BIG SPRING INT 7.8
WASHINGTON EL 8.3
MOSS EL 5.0
KENTWOOD EL 6.1
MARCY EL 5.1

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TX.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,200
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 38%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 66
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TX

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 75.8%
Hispanic 21.2%
Black 3.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

102 E 10TH ST, Big Spring, TX 79720

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Runnels Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. GARDEN CITY EL (rated 9.3/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Garden City), which scores notably higher. Another option is STANTON EL (rated 8.9/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Stanton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WASHINGTON EL (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Spring, see our Big Spring schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BIG SPRING H S Big Spring 0.3 mi 6.0
BIG SPRING J H Big Spring 0.5 mi 7.8
GOLIAD EL Big Spring 0.7 mi 7.4
BIG SPRING INT Big Spring 0.8 mi 7.8
NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BIG SPRING Big Spring 1.0 mi
WASHINGTON EL Big Spring 1.3 mi 8.3
MOSS EL Big Spring 1.9 mi 5.0
MARCY EL Big Spring 2.4 mi 5.1
KENTWOOD EL Big Spring 2.3 mi 6.1
FORSAN EL Forsan 11.1 mi 5.2
FORSAN H S Forsan 11.0 mi 7.4
COAHOMA EL Coahoma 10.5 mi 7.2
COAHOMA H S Coahoma 10.5 mi 3.0
COAHOMA J H Coahoma 10.5 mi 5.5
STANTON EL Stanton 20.8 mi 8.9
STANTON MIDDLE Stanton 20.8 mi 8.2
STANTON H S Stanton 21.1 mi 7.3
SANDS CISD Ackerly 24.0 mi 8.0
GARDEN CITY EL Garden City 26.2 mi 9.3
GARDEN CITY H S Garden City 26.2 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,194

Median Home Value

$146,500

Median Rent

$994/mo

Population

30,432

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Runnels Academy has a median household income of $71,194. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,500, with a median rent of $994/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpine, TX 6.3
CENTER FOR TEACHING & LEARNING Tomball, TX 6.3
KILLEEN ADVENTIST JUNIOR ACADEMY Killeen, TX 6.3
ST PETER'S CLASSICAL SCHOOL Fort Worth, TX 6.3
THE ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Carrollton, TX 6.3
ADVENT RIDGE ACADEMY San Marcos, TX 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Runnels Academy

What grades does Runnels Academy serve?

Runnels Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 10th.

How many students attend Runnels Academy?

Runnels Academy has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Runnels Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Runnels Academy is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Runnels Academy rank in TX?

Runnels Academy is ranked #479 out of 884 private schools in TX.

What is Runnels Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Runnels Academy has a composite rating of 6.3 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.

Is Runnels Academy a private school?

Yes, Runnels Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Runnels Academy a religious school?

Runnels Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,558/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Spring). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 10th
Enrollment
66
Gender Split
68% M / 32% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
160 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
HOWARD
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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