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Average

#5611 of 8,552 schools in TX

Ward EL

Elementary School · ABILENE ISD

3750 PAINT BRUSH, Abilene, TX 79606

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#5,611 of 8,552

In Abilene

#11 of 32

public schools

In district

#4 of 24

ABILENE ISD

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Ward EL

5.5/10

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

Madison Middle

3.8/10

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

Alcorta EL

4.5/10

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

About Ward EL

Ward EL is a public elementary school in Abilene, TX, part of ABILENE ISD. Ward EL serves approximately 473 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ward EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #5,611 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Ward EL show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,604
Chronic Absenteeism16.9%

Ward EL — Students at Ward EL score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 71.1% (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
89%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
84%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
44.8%
ELA
50.2%
2024
Math
34%
ELA
57%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Ward EL Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in TX
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

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

3750 PAINT BRUSH, Abilene, TX 79606

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ward EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WYLIE WEST EL (rated 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Abilene, see our Abilene schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
MADISON MIDDLE Abilene 1.2 mi 3.8
ALCORTA EL Abilene 1.3 mi 4.5
AUSTIN EL Abilene 1.5 mi 5.5
PREMIER H S OF ABILENE Lewisville 1.5 mi 7.3
COOPER H S Abilene 1.4 mi 5.1
WYLIE WEST EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Abilene 1.7 mi 4.3
WYLIE H S Abilene 1.8 mi 6.8
BASSETTI EL Abilene 1.8 mi 5.3
OCEANS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Abilene 1.8 mi
KENLEY SCHOOL Abilene 2.4 mi 6.2
CROCKETT EARLY HEADSTART Abilene 2.5 mi 3.3
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Abilene 2.4 mi 7.1
BOWIE EL Abilene 2.4 mi 5.3
CLACK MIDDLE Abilene 2.5 mi 3.9
TAYLOR COUNTY LEARNING CENTER Abilene 2.6 mi
JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Abilene 2.6 mi
TAYLOR COUNTY LEARNING CENTER Merkel 2.6 mi
WYLIE WEST EL Abilene 3.0 mi 8.5
BONHAM EL Abilene 3.1 mi 4.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abilene 3.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,201

Median Home Value

$248,500

Median Rent

$1,165/mo

Population

29,428

College Educated

38.1%

Homeownership

56.6%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

33.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACHZIGER EL Mesquite, TX 5.5
ADA MAE FAUBION EL Cedar Park, TX 5.5
BAILEY EL Pasadena, TX 5.5
BENBROOK EL Houston, TX 5.5
BONHAM EL Harlingen, TX 5.5
BURNET EL Galveston, TX 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ward EL

What grades does Ward EL serve?

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

How many students attend Ward EL?

Ward EL has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Ward EL is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ward EL rank in TX?

Ward EL ranks #5,611 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Ward EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Ward EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Ward EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ward EL has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Ward EL a charter school?

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

Is Ward EL a Title I school?

No, Ward EL is not currently a Title I school.

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

64.9% of students at Ward 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Taylor County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

District

ABILENE ISD
District Enrollment
14,652
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,604
District Rank
#4 of 24

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