The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Caldwell El
Caldwell Elementary serves pre-K through fifth grade in Round Rock, a fast-growing suburban community north of Austin anchored by Dell Technologies and a substantial manufacturing base. The school is part of Pflugerville ISD, which is currently facing significant structural change: the district board voted in early 2026 to close four elementary schools beginning the 2027-28 school year due to declining enrollment and budget pressures, though Caldwell is not among those slated for closure.
The school's enrollment is small to mid-sized for its grade band, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a significant population of Black and white students and smaller Asian and multiracial groups. Detailed enrollment data for English learners and special education is not available.
Academic performance on state assessments presents a mixed picture. In the most recent testing year, about a third of third graders met proficiency in math, while fewer than half met proficiency in English language arts. Performance in the upper elementary grades shows a decline: in fourth grade, about a third met proficiency in ELA but no students met proficiency in the Spanish-language math assessment. By fifth grade, fewer than a third met proficiency in ELA, and no students met proficiency in the Spanish-language math or science assessments. When looking across all achievement levels on the state assessment, about two-thirds of students reached at least an "approaches" level across subjects, with about four-tenths meeting grade-level standards. The science results at fifth grade are particularly low, though the number of students tested in the Spanish-language versions of these assessments is very small, which may reflect the composition of the testing population in those specific language groups. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand both the language of instruction and the specific student groups these assessments represent.
Among districts in Travis County, Caldwell's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile, indicating that test performance here is below the midpoint of other county schools.
Round Rock itself is experiencing rapid residential growth, with major new development including a large mixed-use project announced for early 2025, and the opening of the Samsung Electronics plant nearby expected to accelerate demand for housing. Housing values in the area are moderate compared to national benchmarks, and rental costs are similarly mid-range. The city pairs a vibrant historic downtown with Main Street's shops and restaurants against largely car-dependent residential neighborhoods; walkability is concentrated downtown. The broader region benefits from CapMetro bus service, including express routes to downtown Austin.
Pflugerville ISD has pursued significant facility and program investments, including a 2022 bond for renovations, technology, and a new career and technology education center, though the district's recent school closures and an ongoing enrollment decline present uncertainty about neighborhood assignments and school stability. The district has also lowered its tax rate to a level it has not seen in decades, holding it flat for the current year. At the secondary level, a new career-exploration elective is now required at the middle school.
For families considering Caldwell, the school offers an elementary pathway in a growing, mixed-character suburb with employed parent base and significant recent infrastructure investment. The lower test performance and enrollment questions at the district level warrant direct conversation with school leadership about instructional support, curriculum plans, and how recent closures may affect this school's role and stability.
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