Below Average
#7571 of 8,547 schools in TX
Sam Fordyce EL
Elementary School · LA JOYA ISD
801 FM 886, Sullivan City, TX 78595
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sullivan City
#2 of 2
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#3,901 of 4,678
In district
#28 of 36
LA JOYA ISD
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Sam Fordyce EL
Sam Fordyce Elementary is a regular public school located in Sullivan City, Texas, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 449 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 29 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Sam Fordyce Elementary has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 7900 out of 8598 schools in Texas (8th percentile). Test scores show that 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 37% are proficient or above in math. The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Sullivan City.
While there isn’t specific neighborhood data available, the setting provides a close-knit community environment for students and families. Sam Fordyce Elementary is rooted in its rural surroundings, fostering a supportive atmosphere where each child can grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sam Fordyce EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Sam Fordyce EL — Students at Sam Fordyce EL score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
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: 2.3/10.
How Sam Fordyce EL Compares
See how Sam Fordyce EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2021).
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. GRULLA EL (rated 6.2/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rio Grande City), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROSENDO BENAVIDES EL (rated 5.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JOHN F KENNEDY EL (rated 4.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Penitas), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.2 |
| HOPE ACADEMY La Joya | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| TABASCO EL La Joya | 4.9 mi | 4.1 |
| JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 4.9 mi | 7.3 |
| THELMA ROSA SALINAS STEM EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| LA JOYA H S La Joya | 5.1 mi | 6.6 |
| GRULLA EL Rio Grande City | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY La Joya | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| IDEA LA JOYA ACADEMY La Joya | 5.5 mi | 4.2 |
| LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE La Joya | 5.6 mi | 4.8 |
| GRULLA MIDDLE Rio Grande City | 5.9 mi | 4.1 |
| ALTO BONITO EL Rio Grande City | 6.2 mi | 3.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Penitas | 7.1 mi | 4.8 |
| CORINA PENA EL Penitas | 7.8 mi | 4.2 |
| GRULLA H S Rio Grande City | 8.0 mi | 6.5 |
| DR JAVIER SAENZ MIDDLE Penitas | 8.2 mi | 5.3 |
| WILLIAM J CLINTON EL Penitas | 8.3 mi | 4.8 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Mission | 9.0 mi | 6.0 |
| ANN RICHARDS MIDDLE Mission | 9.7 mi | 4.6 |
| GUILLERMO FLORES EL Mission | 10.3 mi | 3.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sam Fordyce EL has a median household income of $48,304. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,400, with a median rent of $615/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ANDERSON MILL EL Austin, TX | 4.3 |
| AUSTIN MONTESSORI MAGNET Odessa, TX | 4.3 |
| BEHLAU EL San Antonio, TX | 4.3 |
| BLANTON EL Arlington, TX | 4.3 |
| BONNER EL Houston, TX | 4.3 |
| BROOKS-QUINN-JONES EL Nacogdoches, TX | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #7571 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Sam Fordyce EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Sam Fordyce EL has a composite rating of 4.3 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.
What are the test scores at Sam Fordyce EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sam Fordyce EL has 37.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (390/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (956) 323-2490
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LA JOYA ISD- District Enrollment
- 23,998
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,592
- District Rank
- #28 of 36
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.
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