Summary:
Zip code 75965 in Nacogdoches, Texas, is home to two elementary schools serving grades PK-5: Central Heights Elementary and Stephen F Austin State University Charter School, offering families a choice between a traditional public district school and a university-affiliated charter school.
Stephen F Austin State University Charter School is the standout performer, ranking in the top 1% of all Texas elementary schools (99th percentile) for the 2025-2026 school year with a 5-star rating. Its district, Stephen F Austin State University Charter School, ranks 3rd out of 951 districts statewide. The charter school achieves exceptional results despite spending $2,001 less per student ($8,431 vs. $10,432) and having a higher student-to-teacher ratio (15.5:1 vs. 13.2:1) than Central Heights Elementary. It posted a perfect 100% proficiency rate in 4th Grade Math and averages 87.7% in Reading and 87.8% in Math across grades 3-5, far exceeding state averages. In contrast, Central Heights Elementary is a solid performer, ranking in the top 17% (83rd percentile) with a 4-star rating, but its scores are notably lower, especially in 5th Grade Science (50.59% vs. 71.79% at the charter school) and 3rd Grade Math (46.15% vs. 44.33% state average).
The charter school has shown remarkable consistency, ranking in the 97th, 99th, and 99th percentiles over the past three years, while Central Heights Elementary has fluctuated between the 80th and 91st percentiles. Central Heights Independent School District (Isd) reports that 40.88% of its students are economically disadvantaged, while the charter school did not report this data. For parents, the charter school offers elite, consistent academic performance with lower per-student spending, while Central Heights Elementary provides a strong, above-average education within a traditional district setting.
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