Cedar Creek Elementary

Cedar Creek Elementary is a K-5 school in the affluent Westlake area of Austin, TX, serving 503 students as part of the top-ranked Eanes Independent School District (Isd), with a low student-to-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 that allows for significant individualized attention.

Historically a top performer in the 95th percentile or higher statewide for the past decade, Cedar Creek has experienced a notable decline in its most recent 2025-2026 data, dropping to the 86th percentile—its lowest point in recorded history. This decline is driven by a sharp, school-specific weakness in mathematics across all grade levels, with 4th-grade math proficiency at 60.36% compared to the district average of 76.16%, and 5th-grade math at 51.47% versus 62.81%. In contrast, reading scores remain strong and competitive, with 4th and 5th-grade reading at 81.08% and 85.11%, close to district averages. This suggests the issue is concentrated in math curriculum or instruction rather than a general decline in student quality. Interestingly, the school's top-tier students still achieve excellent math outcomes, as shown by a 100% proficiency rate for 6th-grade math (a small sample of advanced students).

Compared to nearby schools, Cedar Creek's decline stands out. While other Eanes ISD elementary schools like Eanes Elementary, Forest Trail Elementary, and Valley View Elementary have maintained or improved their high rankings, Cedar Creek has fallen behind. Even more striking, Barton Hills Elementary, located just 1.68 miles away in the lower-ranked Austin Independent School District (Isd), achieved a 98th percentile state rank in 2025-2026, far surpassing Cedar Creek's 86th percentile, and outperformed it in nearly every subject, including a 36-point lead in 4th-grade math (96.43% vs. 60.36%). This shows that a school's district ranking is not the sole determinant of quality, and that a well-run school in a "lower-ranked" district can outperform a struggling school in a "top-ranked" district.