Original Research by School Decision on Daep- El
DAEP-EL is a second-grade alternative school in the South Austin neighborhood, located on Milton Street near the Colorado River. The school serves a very small enrollment focused on students in the elementary grades who require an alternative educational setting.
Because DAEP-EL is an alternative school designed for students with specific behavioral or disciplinary needs, it sits outside the standard academic pathway most families encounter. The school serves only one student in second grade, making it an extremely small program. State testing data was not reported for the 2024-25 school year, which is common in alternative settings where enrollment is very small or where students are in grades below the primary testing window. The school's annual data will fluctuate with its small student population.
Alternative schools in Texas serve students referred through the district's disciplinary processes. Parents should expect a different instructional model than a traditional classroom, with a focus on behavior support, reintegration planning, and individualized attention. If your child has been referred to an alternative placement, the school can clarify with you its specific program model, curriculum, and reintegration timeline.
The broader context matters here. Austin ISD is navigating significant structural changes. In November 2022 voters approved a major bond to rebuild and modernize facilities districtwide, meaning many older campuses have been or will be renovated. More recently, the district approved a consolidation plan closing schools before the 2026-27 school year in response to declining enrollment over the past decade. Austin ISD also raised property taxes in November 2024 to fund staff pay and narrow a budget deficit, a decision that directly affected homeowners' tax bills.
The school sits in South Austin, a neighborhood with older residential character and tree-lined streets, within reach of downtown and the University of Texas campus. Housing values in the 78704 zip code are substantial, reflecting Austin's overall growth and desirability as a metro, though the market has seen recent modest declines. Rents remain high. The broader Austin economy anchors on technology, semiconductors, education, and state government, with major employers including the State of Texas, UT Austin, Dell, Tesla, Samsung, Apple, Amazon, and Google. Austin has been one of the fastest-growing large metros in the country, though recent housing construction starts have slowed.
For families whose child is referred to an alternative placement, DAEP-EL's role is specific and time-limited: it provides a structured, small-scale setting during a critical intervention period. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its reintegration timeline, the pathways back to a traditional elementary campus, and how the program supports the academic and behavioral goals your child needs to meet.
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