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Needs Improvement

#8500 of 8,547 schools in TX

Spence EL

Elementary School · ALDINE ISD

1300 GEARS RD, Houston, TX 77067

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

663

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

2.5

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Houston

#720 of 723

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,634 of 4,678

In district

#77 of 77

ALDINE ISD

About Spence EL

SPENCE EL is a public elementary school located in Houston, Texas, nestled within a large suburban area. Serving students from first through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 663 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. SPENCE EL focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where children can grow and develop their skills.

While SPENCE EL currently ranks lower in state academic performance metrics, the school is committed to providing an engaging educational experience for its students. The latest MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for improvement in academic scores, with 24% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and 20% doing so in Math. SPENCE EL is part of a larger suburban community where families can connect and support each other’s educational endeavors.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,863

Spence EL — Students at Spence EL score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
15%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Spence EL Compares

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

Overall Score
2.5/10
1th percentile in TX
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

1300 GEARS RD, Houston, TX 77067

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spence EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOYLAND EL (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERITAGE EL (rated 5.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOAN LINK EL (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
PLUMMER MIDDLE Houston 0.1 mi 5.3
DAVIS H S ALDINE Houston 0.6 mi 5.0
IDEA SPEARS ACADEMY Houston 1.4 mi 3.7
IDEA SPEARS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston 1.4 mi 5.3
HERITAGE EL Houston 1.5 mi 5.3
JOAN LINK EL Houston 1.5 mi 5.1
CLARK EL Houston 1.8 mi 3.8
SPRING LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Houston 1.8 mi 5.6
SAMMONS EL Houston 1.8 mi 3.3
HARMONY SCHOOL OF ADVANCEMENT-HOUSTON Houston 1.7 mi 6.9
HARMONY SCHOOL OF ENRICHMENT - HOUSTON Houston 1.8 mi 3.9
HARMONY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY-HOUSTON Houston 1.8 mi 4.7
CRANBROOK LEARNING CONNECTION Houston 2.1 mi
CONLEY EL Houston 1.9 mi 4.0
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Houston 2.2 mi 3.9
GRAY EL Houston 2.2 mi 4.3
STELLE CLAUGHTON MIDDLE Houston 2.1 mi 5.5
HOYLAND EL Houston 2.3 mi 7.7
DELORAS E THOMPSON EL Houston 2.1 mi 4.8
STEHLIK EL Houston 2.4 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77067 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,278

Median Home Value

$174,600

Median Rent

$1,138/mo

Population

31,800

College Educated

12.2%

Homeownership

44.2%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.6%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spence EL has a median household income of $51,278. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,600, with a median rent of $1,138/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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
CAMPESTRE EL El Paso, TX 2.5
CHESTER E JORDAN El Paso, TX 2.5
DENA KELSO GRAVES EL Eagle Pass, TX 2.5
KIPP EXPLORE ACADEMY Houston, TX 2.5
PSTEM ACADEMY Houston, TX 2.5
SALINAS EL Laredo, TX 2.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spence EL

What grades does Spence EL serve?

Spence EL serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Spence EL?

Spence EL has an enrollment of approximately 663 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spence EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Spence EL is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spence EL rank in TX?

Spence EL is ranked #8500 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Spence EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Spence EL has a composite rating of 2.5 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 Spence EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spence EL has 20.0% math proficiency and 24.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spence EL a charter school?

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

Is Spence EL a Title I school?

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

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

95.5% of students at Spence 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

City Safety
High (5,451/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
663
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Harris County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ALDINE ISD
District Enrollment
57,844
Schools in District
80
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,268
District Rank
#77 of 77

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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