Universal Academy, TX - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Universal Academy

Universal Academy is a pre-K through 12 district spanning Dallas County with an enrollment across three campuses: the original Universal Academy, Universal Academy-Coppell, and the newer Universal Academy-Bartonville. The district's student body leans heavily Asian, with sizable Hispanic and Black populations. Free-or-reduced-price-lunch status was not available in the data, and enrollment details for special populations such as students with IEPs or English learners were similarly absent.

The district adopted the Cambridge Assessment International Education curriculum district-wide, making it the only public or charter school system in Texas licensed to offer Cambridge programs. This pedagogical choice is substantial and sustained. Cambridge emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving through a recognized international framework respected by universities and employers globally. For families drawn to this approach, it is a defining feature that shapes teaching practice across core subjects and differentiates the district's academic identity from the state norm.

On state testing, Universal Academy's proficiency results show a split picture. Across tested grades, reading proficiency runs higher than mathematics and substantially higher than science. By grade band, seventh-grade students perform most strongly in reading. Mathematics proficiency is modest in fourth grade and rises modestly by seventh grade before dipping again in eighth. Science proficiency is notably lower, sitting in the lower-middle range across tested grades. Social studies proficiency is the district's softest area; eighth-grade testing shows markedly weak attainment. Taken as a whole, the district lands in the top quartile among Dallas County districts on overall proficiency, driven by strength in reading. Chronic absenteeism is low for the county, a genuine operational strength. Per-pupil spending sits in the lower range among the county's districts.

The Bartonville campus, opened in March 2024, introduces a farm-to-market agricultural curriculum and therapeutic horsemanship program rooted in the Cambridge framework. This represents a distinctive pathway not commonly available in public education and may appeal to families interested in hands-on learning or agricultural vocations. The expansion speaks to growth and geographic diversification within the district.

A parent or resident should note that the district's test data are incomplete; graduation rates for the high school grades, detailed demographic breakdowns on poverty and English learners, and staffing or course-access details were not provided. These absences reflect the nature of charter district reporting in Texas and the limits of publicly available state assessment windows. For families considering Universal Academy, a conversation with individual campuses about program specifics, student support services, and the mechanics of the Cambridge curriculum in practice would be the next step.

See more original research from School Decision →

District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

2,103

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 21%

Black 17%

White 2%

Asian 58%

Two+ 1%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

—

70%

Gr 4

36%

67%

Gr 5

54%

70%

Gr 6

33%

76%

Gr 7

58%

72%

Gr 8

61%

80%

Math

Gr 3

22%

66%

Gr 4

67%

Gr 5

34%

63%

Gr 6

33%

68%

Gr 7

59%

68%

Gr 8

43%

67%

Science

Gr 5

15%

46%

Gr 8

29%

55%

Social studies

Gr 8

15%

26%

all_subjects_approaches

Gr ALL

49%

—

all_subjects_masters

Gr ALL

—

all_subjects_meets

Gr ALL

24%

—

ela_approaches

Gr ALL

60%

—

ela_masters

Gr ALL

—

ela_meets

Gr ALL

30%

—

math_approaches

Gr ALL

38%

—

math_masters

Gr ALL

—

math_meets

Gr ALL

23%

—

science_approaches

Gr ALL

50%

—

science_masters

Gr ALL

—

science_meets

Gr ALL

21%

—

social_studies_approaches

Gr ALL

42%

—

social_studies_masters

Gr ALL

—

social_studies_meets

Gr ALL

11%

—

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

UNIVERSAL ACADEMY

UNIVERSAL ACADEMY - COPPELL

UNIVERSAL ACADEMY-BARTONVILLE

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

4 grades reported

53%

Grade 4

57%

Grade 6

64%

Grade 7

57%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

3 grades reported

63%

Grade 6

66%

Grade 7

73%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

38%

Grade 5

44%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

22%

Grade 8

Data Currently Unavailable

Community & Housing Context
Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.