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Needs Improvement

#8251 of 8,552 schools in TX

Valley West EL

Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD

10707 S GESSNER DR, Houston, TX 77071

Featured in: Best Elementary Schools in Houston

Enrollment

599

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,251 of 8,552

In Houston

#695 of 723

public schools

In district

#266 of 272

HOUSTON ISD

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Valley West EL

3.1/10

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

Texans Can Academy - Houston Southwest

3.5/10

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

Yes Prep - Brays Oaks

6.7/10

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

About Valley West EL

Valley West EL is a public elementary school in Houston, TX, part of HOUSTON ISD. Valley West EL serves approximately 599 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley West EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #8,251 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Valley West EL show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.0
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,072
Chronic Absenteeism19.4%

Valley West EL — Students at Valley West EL score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 60.3% (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
90%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
30.3%
ELA
43.8%
2024
Math
32%
ELA
30%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Valley West EL Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in TX
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.4%

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

10707 S GESSNER DR, Houston, TX 77071

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley West EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. STEP CHARTER II (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS BISSONNET EL CAMPUS (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ELROD EL (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - HOUSTON SOUTHWEST Houston 0.4 mi 3.5
YES PREP - BRAYS OAKS Houston 0.7 mi 6.7
WELCH MIDDLE Houston 0.7 mi 4.0
MILNE EL Houston 0.7 mi 2.5
SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS BISSONNET EL CAMPUS Houston 1.1 mi 6.9
STEP CHARTER II Houston 1.1 mi 8.4
TORAH DAY SCHOOL Houston 1.0 mi 6.7
TORAH GIRLS ACADEMY OF TEXAS Houston 1.2 mi 6.4
SHARPSTOWN H S Houston 1.5 mi 3.2
HALPIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Houston 1.4 mi 6.7
GROSS EL Houston 1.7 mi 5.6
BONHAM EL Houston 1.7 mi 5.3
FONDREN MIDDLE Houston 1.6 mi 4.5
ELROD EL Houston 1.6 mi 6.9
TINSLEY EL Houston 1.6 mi 5.7
BEST EL Houston 1.7 mi 4.6
SUGAR GROVE ACADEMY Houston 1.8 mi 6.7
MCNAMARA EL Houston 1.9 mi 5.9
MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL (NTI CAREER INSTITUTE) Houston 1.9 mi
BELL EL Houston 1.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,147

Median Home Value

$228,000

Median Rent

$1,059/mo

Population

26,794

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

51.8%

Avg Commute

31.9 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

40.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CARROLL EL Houston, TX 3.1
CUMBERLAND ACADEMY LOWER EL Tyler, TX 3.1
GUESS EL Beaumont, TX 3.1
HARRIS R P EL Houston, TX 3.1
ILTEXAS ARLINGTON EL Arlington, TX 3.1
PALO ALTO EL San Antonio, TX 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley West EL

What grades does Valley West EL serve?

Valley West EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Valley West EL?

Valley West EL has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley West EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley West EL is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley West EL rank in TX?

Valley West EL ranks #8,251 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Valley West EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley West EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Valley West EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley West EL has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Valley West EL a charter school?

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

Is Valley West EL a Title I school?

No, Valley West EL is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.5% of students at Valley West 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
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Harris County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.4%

District

HOUSTON ISD
District Enrollment
184,109
Schools in District
274
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,072
District Rank
#266 of 272

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