Summary
Anderson Mill Elementary is a PK-5 school in Austin, TX, serving 585 students as part of the Round Rock Independent School District (Isd). While the district is highly rated, Anderson Mill has consistently ranked in the 2-star range, a stark contrast to its immediate neighbors. The most significant factor differentiating the school is its high rate of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch (61.88%), which is over ten times higher than nearby Canyon Creek Elementary (5.43%) and Spicewood Elementary (6.08%). This socio-economic divide is a key driver of the performance gap, as these neighboring schools rank in the top 1% of Texas elementary schools.
Academically, Anderson Mill’s STAAR proficiency rates are dramatically lower than its top-tier neighbors. For example, average reading proficiency (grades 3-5) is 50.8% compared to 95.5% at Canyon Creek and 86.4% at Spicewood. However, a fascinating outlier is the school’s 6th-grade math performance, where 80-100% of students have scored proficient for three consecutive years—far exceeding district and state averages. This suggests a particularly effective teacher or program for that grade level. Additionally, the school’s subgroup data reveals a "two-tiered" dynamic: it serves its White students well (70th percentile) but struggles significantly with other groups, ranking in the bottom 25th percentile for Hispanic, English Language Learner, and economically disadvantaged students.
Interestingly, spending is not the issue. Anderson Mill spends $11,639 per student, which is higher than the spending at high-performing Spicewood ($7,940) and Canyon Creek ($10,550). This indicates the performance gap is not about a lack of funding, but rather how resources are used to address the complex challenges of a high-poverty population. The school also administers the STAAR test in Spanish, with mixed results—4th-grade Spanish scores are above district averages, but 3rd and 5th-grade scores are very low, pointing to an inconsistent bilingual program. For parents, Anderson Mill is a school with dedicated staff and some bright spots, but it faces significant hurdles that are closely tied to the economic circumstances of its student body.
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