Very Good
#1785 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 21% in state
Thornwood EL
Elementary School · SPRING BRANCH ISD
14400 FERN, Houston, TX 77079
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#69 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#940 of 4,678
In district
#20 of 45
SPRING BRANCH ISD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornwood EL
Thornwood Elementary is a public elementary school located in Houston, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Thornwood has an enrollment of 393 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, with 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Texas schools in terms of state ranking.
Academically, Thornwood focuses on student development and growth. Students have shown proficiency rates of 27% for ELA/Reading and 26% for Math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, the school continues to work diligently to support its students' academic needs.
Thornwood Elementary is situated in a large urban setting within Houston, providing a diverse environment for learning and community engagement. The school's location offers access to various cultural and educational resources, making it an integral part of the local community.
Score Breakdown
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Thornwood EL — Students at Thornwood EL score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Thornwood EL Compares
See how Thornwood EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 26% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
14400 FERN, Houston, TX 77079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornwood EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE BRANCH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MEADOW WOOD EL (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WILCHESTER EL (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SPRING BRANCH ACADEMIC INSTITUTE Houston | 0.0 mi | 8.0 |
| STRATFORD H S Houston | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| SPRING FOREST MIDDLE Houston | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| MEADOW WOOD EL Houston | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| YORKSHIRE ACADEMY Houston | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| NOTTINGHAM EL Houston | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| JAPANESE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Houston | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| WESTCHESTER ACADEMY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Houston | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| WILCHESTER EL Houston | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| SHERWOOD FOREST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Houston | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| THE BRANCH SCHOOL Houston | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| SMALLER SCHOLARS MONTESSORI Houston | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| RAY DAILY EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| RAINARD SCHOOL Houston | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| FIVE STAR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Houston | 1.7 mi | — |
| ASHFORD EL Houston | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| RUMMEL CREEK EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| SHERWOOD EL Houston | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| WESTLAKE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Houston | 1.9 mi | — |
| ASKEW EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,089
Median Home Value
$636,100
Median Rent
$1,620/mo
Population
35,540
College Educated
67.9%
Homeownership
50.8%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornwood EL has a median household income of $103,089. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $636,100, with a median rent of $1,620/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNIE SIMS EL Mount Pleasant, TX | 7.6 |
| BALLINGER EL Ballinger, TX | 7.6 |
| BUFFALO EL Buffalo, TX | 7.6 |
| CALDWELL EL Mckinney, TX | 7.6 |
| CENTER EL Center, TX | 7.6 |
| CENTERVILLE EL Centerville, TX | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornwood EL
What grades does Thornwood EL serve?
Thornwood EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thornwood EL?
Thornwood EL has an enrollment of approximately 393 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornwood EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornwood EL is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornwood EL rank in TX?
Thornwood EL is ranked #1785 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Thornwood EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornwood EL has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Thornwood EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornwood EL has 26.5% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornwood EL a charter school?
No, Thornwood EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornwood EL a Title I school?
No, Thornwood EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornwood EL?
88.0% of students at Thornwood 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 393
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (713) 251-7300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SPRING BRANCH ISD- District Enrollment
- 33,407
- Schools in District
- 47
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,599
- District Rank
- #20 of 45
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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