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Average

#4939 of 8,552 schools in TX

Thornwood EL

Elementary School · SPRING BRANCH ISD

14400 FERN, Houston, TX 77079

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

393

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#4,939 of 8,552

In Houston

#333 of 723

public schools

In district

#30 of 45

SPRING BRANCH ISD

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Thornwood EL

6.0/10

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

Spring Branch Academic Institute

7.2/10

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

Stratford H S

7.0/10

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

About Thornwood EL

Thornwood EL is a public elementary school in Houston, TX, part of SPRING BRANCH ISD. Thornwood EL serves approximately 393 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornwood EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #4,939 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Thornwood EL show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.3 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,599
Chronic Absenteeism24.9%

Thornwood EL — Students at Thornwood EL score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 55.7% (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
76%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
23.7%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
53%
ELA
48%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Thornwood EL Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in TX
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

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

14400 FERN, Houston, TX 77079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornwood EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WILCHESTER EL (rated 8.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASHFORD EL (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE BRANCH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 7.2
STRATFORD H S Houston 0.3 mi 7.0
SPRING FOREST MIDDLE Houston 0.3 mi 6.9
MEADOW WOOD EL Houston 0.4 mi 8.2
YORKSHIRE ACADEMY Houston 0.6 mi 7.5
NOTTINGHAM EL Houston 0.9 mi 8.2
JAPANESE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE Houston 1.0 mi 2.9
WESTCHESTER ACADEMY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Houston 1.0 mi 9.1
WILCHESTER EL Houston 1.2 mi 8.8
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 6.3
RAINARD SCHOOL Houston 1.7 mi 7.0
FIVE STAR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Houston 1.7 mi
ASHFORD EL Houston 2.0 mi 8.6
RUMMEL CREEK EL Houston 1.8 mi 8.3
SHERWOOD EL Houston 2.0 mi 6.5
WESTLAKE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Houston 1.9 mi
ASKEW EL Houston 2.2 mi 4.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BALLINGER EL Ballinger, TX 6.0
BLACKSHEAR EL Houston, TX 6.0
BLANTON EL Odessa, TX 6.0
BOONE EL Austin, TX 6.0
BOYD EL Boyd, TX 6.0
CENTER EL Center, TX 6.0

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 ranks #4,939 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Thornwood EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornwood EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Thornwood EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornwood EL has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

District

SPRING BRANCH ISD
District Enrollment
33,407
Schools in District
47
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,599
District Rank
#30 of 45

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