PETERSEN EL

Located at 14404 WATERLOO DR, in HOUSTON, Texas, PETERSEN EL is a close-knit elementary school that serves 357 students (grades pre-K through 5), overseen by HOUSTON ISD. Compared to the state average of about 519 students per school, that is 31% leaner than typical.

HOUSTON ISD comprises 273 schools with combined enrollment of 176,727 students; PETERSEN EL is among them.

On the student-mix side, PETERSEN EL records that 73% of the student body identifies as Hispanic. Other groups include 25% Black. By comparison, Harris County as a whole is about 44% Hispanic, so the school skews visibly more Hispanic than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school currently runs with 24 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 14.9:1. That tracks the state average closely. An estimated 96% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Harris County runs at roughly 70%, so the school's eligibility rate is meaningfully above the surrounding baseline.

With demographic context factored in, PETERSEN EL tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 31.9% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 39.3%.

In the broader community, Harris County reports that median household earnings sit near $74,983, roughly 34% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 13% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Harris County's 1205 public schools (combined enrollment of about 886,911 students), PETERSEN EL is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is KING EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR, roughly 0.7 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts PETERSEN EL at 2nd of 7; the average score across the group is 38.6%.

The school occupies a downtown site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged down 22%: 457 students in 2018 compared to 357 in 2025. The Hispanic share of enrollment declined from 81% to 73% over that span.

On the community side, members of the PETERSEN EL community share and discuss science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.