The top reported proficiency rate is 91% in English language arts. The lowest is 72% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Stephen F Austin State University Charter School
Stephen F. Austin State University Charter School is a small, university-affiliated elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Nacogdoches. The school is housed on a campus in a walkable historic district anchored by the university and downtown, a setting that shapes both the physical environment and the institutional backing families encounter.
The school's academic performance is a clear strength. Reading and math proficiency across the school are substantially above the midpoint among Nacogdoches County districts. In English language arts, students in grades four and five show particularly strong proficiency, while third grade performs solidly. Math results are consistently strong across all tested grades, with students meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks at high rates. Science proficiency in fifth grade is more modest, and social studies results show a wider range, with fewer students reaching the highest performance levels. Overall, the school demonstrates competent instruction across core subjects, with reading and math as clear areas of strength and science as a softer spot a parent may want to explore further.
The school enrolls a small cohort of roughly a quarter of a thousand students. The student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic students making up about a fifth of enrollment and Black students a small share. Asian students and students identifying as two or more races make up smaller percentages. The school does not report free-or-reduced-price-lunch participation, special education enrollment counts, or English learner counts in available data, so a parent interested in the school's support systems for low-income families or students with identified needs would want to contact the school directly for that information.
The charter carries institutional weight. Stephen F. Austin State University, which operates the school, was integrated into the University of Texas System in 2023. The school's charter was renewed for another decade, securing its authorization through 2033, a meaningful assurance for families committing to a multi-year enrollment at an open-enrollment charter school that does not draw property-tax revenue. The university backing also means the school sits within a major institutional ecosystem, with access to university facilities and faculty expertise a potential advantage for elementary-level programming.
The town itself supports a walkable, compact environment. Nacogdoches has a historic downtown anchored on Main Street, a university district with tree-lined streets and student neighborhoods, and parks and trail systems throughout. The Lanana Creek Trail winds through campus and the arboretum. The Judy B. McDonald Public Library serves the community. Bus transit is limited but exists. Housing costs are moderate for the region, with rental and purchase prices tracking near state benchmarks.
The school's model is one of close institutional ties. As a university charter, it operates within a college of education framework rather than as an independent entity. That structure can mean opportunities for university partnerships and professional development but also means governance and decision-making flow through university channels rather than through an independent board. For families drawn to small-school settings with strong academic baselines, a university affiliation, and a walkable town setting, this school fits. For families seeking independence from institutional hierarchy, or needing comprehensive supports for special populations, a parent would want to investigate further how the school structures those services within its current model.
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