Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 78732 zip code of Austin, Texas, all part of the highly-rated Leander Independent School District (Isd), serving grades PK-5 in a suburban area known for strong academic performance.
Laura Welch Bush Elementary is the standout school in this area, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 99th percentile statewide. It achieves the highest test scores across all subjects, with particularly exceptional math proficiency rates that often exceed 80% in core grades. River Ridge Elementary is another top performer, consistently earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 96th percentile, with strong reading and math scores. Steiner Ranch Elementary, while still a solid school with a 4-star rating and 88th percentile rank, trails its peers, especially in mathematics where its average proficiency (62.74%) is notably lower than Laura Welch Bush (82.34%) and River Ridge (75.18%). All three schools significantly outperform district and state averages in nearly every subject, making this zip code a cluster of high-performing elementary options.
A key takeaway is that science proficiency is a relative weakness across all schools, with even the top school achieving only 64.29% proficiency in 5th grade science, though this is still double the state average. Interestingly, the school with the highest per-student spending (River Ridge at $10,130) is not the highest-performing, while Laura Welch Bush spends the least ($9,650) yet achieves the best results, suggesting spending effectiveness matters more than the amount. River Ridge has also shown consistent improvement, moving from the 93rd to the 96th percentile over recent years, making it a school to watch for continued growth.
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