Very Good
#1682 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 20% in state
Sam Fordyce EL
Elementary School · LA JOYA ISD
801 FM 886, Sullivan City, TX 78595
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#1,682 of 8,552
In Sullivan City
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#8 of 36
LA JOYA ISD
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Sam Fordyce EL
Elementary School in Sullivan City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rosendo Benavides EL
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hope Academy
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sam Fordyce EL
Sam Fordyce EL is a public elementary school in Sullivan City, TX, part of LA JOYA ISD. Sam Fordyce EL serves approximately 449 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Sam Fordyce EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,682 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Sam Fordyce EL show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Sam Fordyce 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.
31% of students at Sam Fordyce EL were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sam Fordyce EL — Students at Sam Fordyce EL score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
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: 7.9/10.
How Sam Fordyce EL Compares
See how Sam Fordyce 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
801 FM 886, Sullivan City, TX 78595
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sam Fordyce EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TABASCO EL (rated 8.2/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby La Joya), with a very similar rating. Another option is WILLIAM J CLINTON EL (rated 7.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Penitas), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GRULLA EL (rated 7.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rio Grande City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sullivan City, see our Sullivan City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ROSENDO BENAVIDES EL Sullivan City | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| HOPE ACADEMY La Joya | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| TABASCO EL La Joya | 4.9 mi | 8.2 |
| JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 4.9 mi | 9.0 |
| THELMA ROSA SALINAS STEM EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 4.9 mi | 9.4 |
| LA JOYA H S La Joya | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| GRULLA EL Rio Grande City | 5.5 mi | 7.6 |
| IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY La Joya | 5.5 mi | 7.7 |
| IDEA LA JOYA ACADEMY La Joya | 5.5 mi | 3.9 |
| LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE La Joya | 5.6 mi | 7.6 |
| GRULLA MIDDLE Rio Grande City | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| ALTO BONITO EL Rio Grande City | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Penitas | 7.1 mi | 6.6 |
| CORINA PENA EL Penitas | 7.8 mi | 5.9 |
| GRULLA H S Rio Grande City | 8.0 mi | 6.6 |
| DR JAVIER SAENZ MIDDLE Penitas | 8.2 mi | 6.8 |
| WILLIAM J CLINTON EL Penitas | 8.3 mi | 7.9 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Mission | 9.0 mi | 7.7 |
| ANN RICHARDS MIDDLE Mission | 9.7 mi | 7.0 |
| GUILLERMO FLORES EL Mission | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78595 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,304
Median Home Value
$86,400
Median Rent
$615/mo
Population
5,958
College Educated
7.9%
Homeownership
87.5%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
25.6%
Median Age
33.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A B DUNCAN COLLEGIATE EL Floydada, TX | 7.9 |
| BAYLESS EL Lubbock, TX | 7.9 |
| BELLS EL Bells, TX | 7.9 |
| BENIGNUS EL Klein, TX | 7.9 |
| BERTA S PALACIOS EL Pharr, TX | 7.9 |
| BONNER EL Tyler, TX | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sam Fordyce EL
What grades does Sam Fordyce EL serve?
Sam Fordyce EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sam Fordyce EL?
Sam Fordyce EL has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sam Fordyce EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Sam Fordyce EL is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sam Fordyce EL rank in TX?
Sam Fordyce EL ranks #1,682 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Sam Fordyce EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Sam Fordyce EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Sam Fordyce EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sam Fordyce EL has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Sam Fordyce EL a charter school?
No, Sam Fordyce EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sam Fordyce EL a Title I school?
No, Sam Fordyce EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sam Fordyce EL?
97.6% of students at Sam Fordyce 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.5%
- Phone
- (956) 323-2490
Resources & Links
District
LA JOYA ISD- District Enrollment
- 23,998
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,592
- District Rank
- #8 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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