The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 55% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on China Spring El
China Spring Elementary serves grades two through four and is located on the outskirts of Waco in McLennan County. It is a regular public elementary school with an enrollment split fairly evenly across its three grades. About two-fifths of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's racial composition is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic enrollment, smaller Black and Asian populations, and a small number of students identifying as two or more races.
On the most recent STAAR assessments in math and English language arts, the school's proficiency results sit at roughly the midpoint of what is typical for the county. In third-grade math, about half the students achieved proficiency or above; in fourth grade, the proportion is similar. In ELA, third graders scored slightly higher at around three-fifths proficient, with fourth graders at a comparable level. Across all STAAR performance levels statewide (Approaches, Meets, and Masters), the school's results are in the lower to middle range. About two-fifths of students reached the Masters level in math; in ELA, about a quarter did so. State testing data for second grade were not available, as Texas does not assess that grade level.
Relative to other districts in McLennan County, China Spring Elementary's overall proficiency index falls above the midpoint, a meaningful distinction in a county with wide variation in elementary outcomes. The school does not have available data on chronic absenteeism, special education enrollment rates, or English learner populations, so a parent seeking detail on how the school serves students with disabilities or supports multilingual learners may want to contact the school directly.
The district itself operates on a hybrid four-day school week, a change made permanent in 2023 to address teacher recruitment and retention. Most Fridays the building is closed; only a handful of Fridays per year are instructional days in person. This schedule is a direct factor in family planning and childcare and is worth confirming with the school before enrollment.
The broader district context has shifted with a November 2025 voter-approved tax-rate election that generates substantial additional annual revenue while lowering the overall property tax rate. This followed a failed election in 2022 and consecutive deficit budgets as state funding lagged operational needs and teacher pay competitiveness. The newly approved funding is intended to stabilize the budget and support teacher salaries and classroom resources. For families considering the area, this signals both prior financial strain and a recent commitment to recovery, though the long-term sustainability depends on continued state support and enrollment trends.
The Waco area itself is undergoing significant downtown redevelopment, a publicly reported major vision led by the city and a master developer, with mixed-use housing, retail, and office space in early phases. This context may affect the area's housing market and growth trajectory over the coming years, though the school's immediate neighborhood setting is outside the downtown core.
China Spring Elementary provides a conventional elementary education in the middle-range for county performance, with a schedule adjustment that families should understand upfront. Proficiency is modest but not outlying, and the school's standing relative to its county peers is solid.
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