Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in the 78702 zip code of Austin, Texas, serving grades PK-5 within the Austin Independent School District (Isd) and the University Of Texas Elementary Charter School district, revealing a wide range of academic performance and socioeconomic conditions.
The standout performer is University Of Texas Elementary Charter School, which earns a 3-star rating and ranks in the 58th percentile statewide, with test scores often near or above state averages. In contrast, Oak Springs Elementary and Govalle Elementary struggle significantly, ranking in the 0th and 1st percentiles respectively, with critically low proficiency rates—for example, only 3.13% of Oak Springs 3rd graders were proficient in math. Blackshear Elementary shows strong improvement, rising from the 26th to the 49th percentile, and posts competitive early-grade scores despite having a moderate poverty rate. Zavala Elementary and Sanchez Elementary rank in the bottom 12th and 6th percentiles, respectively.
A key finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Zavala spends the most per student ($17,760) but ranks low, while Blackshear spends the least ($10,677) and performs better. Socioeconomic status is a strong predictor, as schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates (Oak Springs at 96.74%, Sanchez at 90.19%) tend to have lower rankings. Additionally, students taking the STAAR test in Spanish at Sanchez and other schools show significantly lower proficiency than English test-takers, highlighting a need for stronger bilingual support. Despite these challenges, Blackshear’s upward trajectory offers a hopeful example that effective leadership can overcome barriers.
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