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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

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

393

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,199

Thornwood EL — Students at Thornwood EL score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

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 EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
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: 9.2/10.

How Thornwood EL Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in TX
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,451/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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