The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Lakes El
Highland Lakes Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Granite Shoals, a residential lakeside community in southwestern Burnet County. The school sits within Marble Falls ISD, which has recently undergone significant fiscal and capital changes that may affect the district's trajectory.
The school's enrollment is roughly consistent with typical elementary schools serving this area, with students distributed across the early grades. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of families in the school's attendance zone. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of white and other backgrounds. Specific data on students receiving special education services or English language learner support were not available in the school's public reporting, so a parent looking for details on those programs may want to ask the school directly.
Academic performance on state assessments shows room for growth. In math, results across the tested grades lean toward the lower end of the proficiency range, with performance somewhat stronger in the upper elementary grades than in grade three. English language arts results are comparably modest, with grade four showing the strongest performance among tested grades. Grade five showed notably low proficiency in science. Across all subjects and grade levels combined, a modest share of students performed at the proficiency threshold, while the majority scored at the "approaches" level, indicating they have not yet met grade-level standards. When positioned against other districts in Burnet County, Highland Lakes Elementary's overall proficiency index falls below the middle point among the county's school systems, placing it among the lower-performing schools in the comparison set.
Granite Shoals itself is a growing residential suburb of Marble Falls, centered on Lake LBJ and marketed as the "City of Parks," with extensive waterfront recreation and a municipal parks system. The community is car-dependent; most daily errands and activities require personal vehicles, and public transportation is limited. Housing values have remained stable in the area, with median home prices slightly above state benchmarks. The local economy centers on small retail, service industries, construction, and recreation, with many residents commuting to jobs in Marble Falls or further afield. The community has grown steadily over recent years as families relocate for the lakeside setting.
At the district level, Marble Falls ISD faces budget constraints following the defeat of a school funding election in November 2024, which voters rejected by a narrow margin. The measure would have increased property taxes to support staffing, class sizes, and student programs. However, voters did approve a substantial bond package in May 2025 that funds facility improvements, new buses, technology, and athletic upgrades without raising the tax rate, using existing debt-service capacity. This investment signals infrastructure growth to accommodate student population increases, which may affect classroom and facility conditions over the coming years.
A parent considering Highland Lakes Elementary should understand that the school currently shows below-average proficiency outcomes within its county context, with particular softness in science and math fluency. The school's strength lies in its location within a growing community with strong park and recreation access, a stable housing market, and a district making substantial capital commitments. Whether this is the right fit depends on your family's priorities: if you are looking for strong academic performance or specialized programs, a parent may want to look into this further with the school and the district; if you value a small-town, family-oriented suburban setting with outdoor recreation and are willing to engage closely with the school on academics, the community and location may suit you.
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