The top reported proficiency rate is 7% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Pecan Springs El
Pecan Springs Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Austin's northeast corner, in a neighborhood near the intersection of Rogge Lane and Manor Road. It is a small school of about typical size for its elementary grade band. The student body is predominantly Hispanic with a substantial Black enrollment, and a very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a neighborhood with limited household income. The school serves a significant share of emergent bilingual learners, though exact counts were not available.
The academic picture at Pecan Springs is concerning. State assessment results from the most recent school year show very low proficiency across tested grades and subjects. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through five are nearly at zero, with only a tiny handful of students meeting the state standard. Reading proficiency fares similarly, with only a small share of students in grades four and five reaching the proficient level in English language arts. In fifth-grade science, no students tested at the proficient level. Even looking at students approaching standards, the school lags considerably. A parent may want to ask the school directly what instructional supports and interventions are in place for students below grade level, and what pathways exist for catching students up before they move to middle school.
When compared to other districts in Travis County, Pecan Springs ranks in the bottom quartile on overall proficiency. The school's performance reflects broader challenges in the east Austin neighborhood it serves. Graduation rates and chronic absenteeism data are not reported for elementary schools, so those metrics do not apply.
Austin ISD, the district housing Pecan Springs, is managing significant structural pressures. In November 2024 voters approved a property tax increase to fund staff raises and help close a large budget deficit. More substantially, the Board approved a consolidation plan in November 2025 that will close ten schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year and reassign students across the district. A decade of enrollment decline has left many schools with empty seats. Pecan Springs has not been named for closure, but the uncertainty around attendance boundaries, program locations, and school assignments is affecting families across Austin ISD.
The broader Austin housing market remains expensive, though recent growth has brought apartment construction, and the region is working to add affordable units. The city itself is walkable in its downtown and core neighborhoods, with buses and a commuter rail system, but much of the metro remains car-dependent.
Families considering Pecan Springs should understand that this school is working with students who have significant academic gaps and serve a community with substantial economic need. The low proficiency results reflect real instructional challenges that merit direct conversation with the school about curriculum, teaching practices, and individual student support. Pecan Springs offers a neighborhood anchor in a part of Austin with deep roots, but parents evaluating school choice in the district should weigh the current academic performance carefully and explore what specific interventions the school has underway.
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