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Ponder Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 578 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
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2012:
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2011:
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2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted July 29, 2010

I love this school I have 2 children that attend there hoping to get my youngest one in there is year. Love all the teachers and staff I have had to deal with. There field day is the best by far of any school i have ever seen. My kids enjoy school very much and I enjoy there teachers I would recommend this school to anyone looking for a great school with excellent standards.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 30, 2010

I love this school! My 2 children are learning so much and the teachers are outstanding! They truly care for each child and their passion for teaching shines through! I am blessed to have my children go there.


Posted January 2, 2008

It feels as though the children are in TAKS training all year. Ponder Elementary has no arts program, no foreign language until high school and no true talented and gifted program. Also, no after school clubs, ie...chess, math, band, etc... The school does seem to be heavy handed in the area of discipline.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 25, 2006

Weak leadership at principal and asst. principal level. More time spent trying to please administration than teachers, pupils or parents. Weak in the arts. No foreign language. The culture is one of 'getting by' not one of 'driving for excellence'.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 8, 2006

The best thing about Ponder Elemmentary School is the care and concern for each child shown by the staff from the top, down. In math, I would prefer that grade 3 would expect children to master the multiplication facts so that in grade 4 the class could move ahead more rapidly. There is very good emphasis on reading, with ample time each day set aside to read books in the classroom. Both social studies and science instruction seem strong. Parents are active at this school as volunteers. We are involved at parties, fund-raising projects, the annual field day and talent show, a teacher appreciation day, and at field trips. Parents are also expected to assist their children in their studies which, I think, is key.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 87% in 2011.

110 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
84%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

110 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 88% in 2011.

88 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
83%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

88 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
84%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

86 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
98%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

98 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
91%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

99 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
94%
Science

The state average for Science was 87% in 2011.

100 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
84%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students81%
Female81%
Male81%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White83%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Special educationn/a
Not special education82%
Limited English proficient (LEP)50%
Proficient in English83%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant81%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students89%
Female91%
Male88%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White90%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special educationn/a
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)67%
Proficient in English90%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students83%
Female84%
Male82%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic85%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White82%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education83%
Not special education83%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English83%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students90%
Female94%
Male85%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic95%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White88%
Economically disadvantaged77%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education100%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students94%
Female98%
Male89%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic85%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education100%
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students97%
Female94%
Male100%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education100%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English97%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students99%
Female100%
Male98%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White99%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education100%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English99%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students83%
Female80%
Male87%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic56%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White89%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education44%
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English86%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant84%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Recognized".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 74% 31%
Hispanic 22% 50%
Black 2% 13%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Asian 1% 3%
Two or more races 1% 2%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 13%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 7%N/A8%
Economically disadvantaged 37%N/A55%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 4%N/A17%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 14N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 0%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 17%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 32%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 44%N/A23%
21 or more years 7%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Mrs Janell Wilbanks
Fax number
  • (940) 479-8239

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

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401 W Bailey
Ponder, TX 76259
Website: Click here
Phone: (940) 479-8320

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