The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Llano J H
Llano Junior High is a middle school serving students in grades six through eight in the Hill Country county seat of Llano, Texas. The school sits in a small town with a walkable historic courthouse square and river parks, though the campus itself is located south of downtown rather than in the civic center. The town and surrounding county have seen steady in-migration of people seeking rural living, which has brought growth pressures to the district, particularly around staffing.
The school enrolls a mixed student body reflecting the broader county, with a substantial majority white enrollment and a significant Hispanic population, with about a third of students from Hispanic backgrounds. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic challenges across much of the population. The enrollment is relatively stable across the three grades the school serves.
On state testing, Llano Junior High shows uneven results across subjects and grades. In English language arts, performance is more consistent, with students in eighth grade reaching close to half the school meeting or exceeding the proficiency standard, while sixth and seventh grades also show roughly half at or above that level. Math performance is notably weaker, particularly in grades six and seven, where only a minority of students meet the standard. Eighth-grade math improves markedly. In science, tested only at eighth grade, less than half the school meets proficiency. Social studies, also tested only in eighth grade, shows the lowest proficiency, with only about one-quarter of students at or above the standard. Across all subjects at the meets level, roughly four of every ten students are reaching that tier.
The district faced significant staff turnover in the years before 2023, losing a substantial portion of teachers. In response, Llano ISD adopted a modified school calendar starting in the 2023-24 school year that includes five four-day weeks distributed throughout the year, giving students select Fridays off. This shift came from district efforts to improve recruitment and retention and to provide family time. A parent planning to enroll a child at Llano Junior High should understand that the school operates on this adjusted calendar, which may affect childcare arrangements and family planning.
In May 2023, voters approved a substantial bond package funding additions, renovations, safety upgrades, and technology across all district campuses, including Llano Junior High. The district stated the improvements would proceed without a tax increase. These capital projects will reshape campus facilities over time, though specific timelines for improvements at the junior high were not detailed in available sources.
The school operates within a county-wide district serving Llano, Kingsland, and surrounding rural areas. The town itself sits in an economically mixed region with retail, construction, and health care as primary employment, along with institutional anchors in the school district and regional hospitals. Housing in the broader county area continues to attract buyers from larger Texas metros seeking rural property, though inventory remains limited. A parent considering Llano Junior High should be aware the school is in a community experiencing growth and change, with the associated challenges of a district working to stabilize staffing and modernize facilities while managing increased population pressure.
See more original research from School Decision →