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Needs Improvement

#8518 of 8,552 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

2.0

Grades

1st – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,518 of 8,552

In Houston

#722 of 723

public schools

In district

#76 of 77

ALDINE ISD

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Spence EL

2.0/10

Elementary School in Houston · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Plummer Middle

2.7/10

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

Davis H S Aldine

3.9/10

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

About Spence EL

Spence EL is a public elementary school in Houston, TX, part of ALDINE ISD. Spence EL serves approximately 663 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Spence EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 and ranks #8,518 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Spence EL show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.1 pts below district
  • This school 2.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Spence 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 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,268
Chronic Absenteeism39.4%

Spence EL — Students at Spence EL score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 49.4% (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
89%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
9.7%
ELA
23.8%
2024
Math
16%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Spence EL Compares

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

Overall Score
2.0/10
0th percentile in TX
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

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

1300 GEARS RD, Houston, TX 77067

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spence EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HARMONY SCHOOL OF ENRICHMENT - HOUSTON (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEHLIK EL (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IDEA SPEARS ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 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 2.7
DAVIS H S ALDINE Houston 0.6 mi 3.9
IDEA SPEARS ACADEMY Houston 1.4 mi 6.3
IDEA SPEARS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston 1.4 mi 6.2
HERITAGE EL Houston 1.5 mi 4.3
JOAN LINK EL Houston 1.5 mi 3.3
CLARK EL Houston 1.8 mi 2.8
SPRING LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Houston 1.8 mi 9.0
SAMMONS EL Houston 1.8 mi 4.4
HARMONY SCHOOL OF ADVANCEMENT-HOUSTON Houston 1.7 mi 7.2
HARMONY SCHOOL OF ENRICHMENT - HOUSTON Houston 1.8 mi 7.4
HARMONY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY-HOUSTON Houston 1.8 mi 6.1
CRANBROOK LEARNING CONNECTION Houston 2.1 mi
CONLEY EL Houston 1.9 mi 5.5
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Houston 2.2 mi 3.8
GRAY EL Houston 2.2 mi 4.2
STELLE CLAUGHTON MIDDLE Houston 2.1 mi 4.1
HOYLAND EL Houston 2.3 mi 6.0
DELORAS E THOMPSON EL Houston 2.1 mi 4.4
STEHLIK EL Houston 2.4 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLANCHETTE EL Beaumont, TX 2.0
BOOKER T WASHINGTON EL Elgin, TX 2.0
DR MAE E JONES-CLARK EL Beaumont, TX 2.0
LARSON EL Grand Prairie, TX 2.0
HOMER DR EL Beaumont, TX 1.9
LAURO CAVAZOS EL Odessa, TX 1.9

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 ranks #8,518 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Spence EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Spence EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 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 Spence EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spence EL has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

District

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

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