Summary:
The 18 schools in Cedar Park's 78613 zip code, serving elementary through high school grades, are split between the strong Leander Independent School District (Isd) and the elite Basis Texas charter network, creating a two-tiered educational landscape.
The standout performers are the Basis Texas schools, which operate in a completely different tier. Basis Cedar Park (middle school) ranks in the 100th percentile statewide, achieving 100% proficiency in subjects like Biology and U.S. History, while Basis Cedar Park Pri (elementary) ranks in the 99th-100th percentile. Among traditional public schools, Deer Creek Elementary leads with a 96th-97th percentile ranking and very low economic disadvantage. Both high schools—Vista Ridge High School and Cedar Park High School—are strong, ranking in the 81st-90th percentile with graduation rates above 97%. In contrast, Patricia Knowles Elementary (16th percentile) and Lois F Giddens Elementary (19th percentile) face significant challenges, with proficiency rates as low as 11-19% in math and science.
A key finding is the spending paradox: the lowest-performing schools spend the most per student (over $12,400), while top performers like Deer Creek spend about $9,000, indicating higher spending addresses greater student needs rather than driving performance. Middle school math is a universal challenge across Leander ISD, with 7th-grade proficiency ranging from just 11% at Running Brushy Middle to 32% at Artie L Henry Middle, compared to 95% at Basis Cedar Park. The average free/reduced lunch rate is 20.1%, but ranges from under 9% at Deer Creek to over 45% at Patricia Knowles, highlighting economic diversity across the area.
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