Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 78759 (Austin, Texas), serving grades PK through 5, where Laurel Mountain Elementary stands out as a top-tier performer, while Hill Elementary and Kathy Caraway Elementary also offer strong academic options within the Round Rock Independent School District (Isd) and Austin Independent School District (Isd).
Laurel Mountain Elementary is the clear standout, ranking in the top 1% of Texas elementary schools (99th percentile) for three consecutive years and earning a 5-star rating. It significantly outperforms both its district and the state in every subject, with 5th-grade science proficiency at 82.91% and average math and reading proficiencies of 87.59% and 89.18%, respectively. In contrast, Hill Elementary shows a positive upward trend, moving from the 92nd to the 94th percentile, and consistently exceeds Austin ISD averages, with 3rd-grade reading at 75.81% versus the district's 59%. Kathy Caraway Elementary is a solid school ranked in the top 10% (91st percentile), but its performance is more variable, excelling in 4th-grade math (75.71%) while falling below its district average in 3rd-grade reading (65%).
A key finding is the spending-versus-performance paradox: Laurel Mountain, the highest-performing school, has the lowest per-student spending ($8,784) and highest student-teacher ratio (15.5), while Kathy Caraway, with the highest spending ($10,217) and lowest ratio (12.1), trails in overall scores. Science scores are the biggest differentiator, with Laurel Mountain's 5th-grade proficiency (82.91%) nearly double that of Hill (62.32%) and Kathy Caraway (46.55%). For parents, this area offers a range of strong schools, with Laurel Mountain providing elite, consistent excellence, Hill showing steady improvement, and Kathy Caraway offering a solid but more uneven option within the highly-rated Round Rock ISD.
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