Stephen F Austin State University Charter School

Stephen F Austin State University Charter School is a small, K-5 elementary school in Nacogdoches, TX, serving 253 students as a single-school district under the university's umbrella. This school stands out as a top-tier performer, ranking 57th out of 4,627 Texas elementary schools (99th percentile) in the 2025-2026 school year, a stark contrast to nearby schools like Raguet Elementary (ranked 3,258th) and other Nacogdoches Independent School District (Isd) schools that often fall below state averages.

What truly sets this school apart is its exceptional test score proficiency, often double or triple state averages. For example, 4th graders achieved 100% proficiency in math and 97.37% in reading, compared to state averages of 49.28% and 53.04%, respectively. The school also excels with all student subgroups, ranking in the 100th percentile for special education students and 99th percentile for low socio-economic status and at-risk students. This demonstrates that its success isn't tied to a privileged student body but to effective instruction for every learner. Notably, the school achieves these elite results with lower-than-average spending ($8,431 per student), far less than nearby high-performing Central Heights Elementary ($10,432) or Emeline Carpenter Elementary ($13,320).

As a university lab school, it likely benefits from access to the latest educational research and student-teachers, fostering a culture of innovation and high expectations. Its consistent decade-long track record of 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger, with a slight dip and strong recovery (from 203rd in 2022-2023 to 27th in 2024-2025), shows resilience and effective problem-solving. While the school doesn't report free/reduced lunch percentages, its top-tier performance with economically disadvantaged students suggests it's an equity champion, providing exceptional education for all, regardless of background.