The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Math. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Benjamin Doc Kerley El
Benjamin Doc Kerley Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade in Hutto, a rapidly expanding Austin suburb on the east side of Williamson County. The school enrolls a diverse student body across a district that is adding capacity at a remarkable pace to meet population growth driven by semiconductor and industrial development along the U.S. 79 corridor.
The school's student composition reflects Hutto's broader demographics. About two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment mixes Hispanic, white, Black, and Asian students in substantial shares, with smaller numbers of students identifying with other racial or ethnic groups. The school does not break out counts of English learner or special education enrollment in the available data, so a parent may want to inquire directly with the school about those populations and the supports available to them.
State testing results are available for fourth and fifth grade in English Language Arts and for fifth grade in Math and Science. In fourth-grade ELA, about half of students reached proficiency or above. Fifth-grade Math proficiency was similar. Science performance in fifth grade was lower, with about one in three students reaching proficiency. Third-grade testing data exists but was not released, likely because those students took Spanish-language assessments in small numbers. Overall, across all tested grades and subjects, about half of students met or exceeded grade-level standards, while about three-quarters approached the standards.
The school sits within Hutto ISD, a district transformed by growth. In May 2023, voters approved the largest bond in district history to build two new elementary schools, a second comprehensive high school, and instructional technology across the district without raising the tax rate. A new middle school, Gus Almquist, opened near Kerley in the 2024-25 school year. A second high school, Creekside, is under construction with a two-year timeline beginning June 2025. The district's enrollment is projected to nearly double by the early 2030s, so families should understand that the school and the district are in a state of significant expansion and change. New capacity is coming, but existing schools like Kerley are operating in an environment of rapid demographic flux.
The Hutto area itself is among the fastest-growing in the nation, with population surging over the past year as people seek lower cost of living than Austin proper while remaining close to jobs in the region. Housing in the Hutto zip code is moderately priced and has declined slightly in value year-over-year, though mortgage costs remain high by historical standards. The city is adding rental communities and mixed-use development, especially in and around the revitalized Old Town and Co-Op District downtown, which sit near parks and civic anchors but remain distinct from the sprawling residential subdivisions where most families live.
For parents weighing Kerley, the key questions center on whether the school's current proficiency levels and the district's capacity-building efforts align with their academic expectations and their comfort with a school that is part of an expanding system. The state testing data points to room for growth in Math and Science proficiency. The community context is one of explosive growth, which can bring new resources and new stress on schools simultaneously. A parent interested in this school should ask about class sizes, the timeline for the new elementary schools, and how the school plans to sustain instruction during the district's expansion.
See more original research from School Decision →