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Average

#5000 of 8,547 schools in TX

Garza Independence H S

High School · AUSTIN ISD

1600 CHICON, Austin, TX 78702

Enrollment

188

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

5.9

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Austin

#114 of 238

public schools

Texas high schools

#1,210 of 1,699

In district

#54 of 118

AUSTIN ISD

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Garza Independence H S

Garza Independence High School serves 188 students in grades 10 through 12 as an alternative school in Austin, Texas. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, allowing for individualized attention and support that many students need to succeed. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks impressively at #172 out of 8,598 Texas schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's effectiveness in serving students who may have struggled in traditional educational settings. Located on Chicon Street in the 78702 ZIP code, Garza Independence operates in a diverse urban neighborhood where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $87,342. The area shows the economic contrasts common in Austin, with a poverty rate of 20.8% alongside median home values of $569,700.

As an alternative high school, Garza Independence likely provides flexible scheduling, credit recovery opportunities, and specialized support services to help students complete their education. The school's small size and low student-teacher ratio create an intimate learning environment within Austin's dynamic urban landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 188 students, Garza Independence H S is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Garza Independence H S are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Garza Independence H S offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,492

Garza Independence H S — Students at Garza Independence H S score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 37.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
10%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Garza Independence H S Compares

See how Garza Independence H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in TX
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

1600 CHICON, Austin, TX 78702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garza Independence H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - AUSTIN (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN H S (rated 5.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EASTSIDE EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 3.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Austin, see our Austin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
AUSTIN ISD PREK PARTNERSHIP (PKP) Austin 0.2 mi 5.0
KEALING MIDDLE Austin 0.4 mi 7.2
CAMPBELL EL Austin 0.6 mi 5.5
BLACKSHEAR EL Austin 0.7 mi 5.9
TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - AUSTIN Austin 0.8 mi 5.7
EASTSIDE EARLY COLLEGE H S Austin 0.9 mi 3.7
MAPLEWOOD EL Austin 1.2 mi 7.1
LEE EL Austin 1.2 mi 7.2
OAK SPRINGS EL Austin 1.1 mi 3.7
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL CHARTER SCHOOL Austin 1.2 mi 6.9
ZAVALA EL Austin 1.3 mi 3.9
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST MARY Austin 1.2 mi 5.7
CLEARVIEW SUDBURY SCHOOL Austin 1.4 mi
CLEARVIEW SUDBURY SCHOOL Austin 1.4 mi
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN H S Austin 1.3 mi 5.5
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL AUSTIN Austin 1.5 mi
THE AUSTIN SCHOOL FOR PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS Austin 1.4 mi
SANCHEZ EL Austin 1.6 mi 3.2
KIRBY HALL SCHOOL Austin 1.7 mi 7.4
GOVALLE EL Austin 1.6 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,304

Median Home Value

$644,200

Median Rent

$1,966/mo

Population

26,495

College Educated

58.8%

Homeownership

41.1%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garza Independence H S has a median household income of $101,304. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $644,200, with a median rent of $1,966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AXTELL H S Axtell, TX 5.9
BIG SANDY H S Big Sandy, TX 5.9
COLORADO RIVER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Bastrop, TX 5.9
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Amarillo, TX 5.9
LONE STAR H S CENTRAL Mart, TX 5.9
LONE STAR H S SOUTHEAST Giddings, TX 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garza Independence H S

What grades does Garza Independence H S serve?

Garza Independence H S serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Garza Independence H S?

Garza Independence H S has an enrollment of approximately 188 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garza Independence H S?

The student-teacher ratio at Garza Independence H S is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garza Independence H S rank in TX?

Garza Independence H S is ranked #5000 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Garza Independence H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Garza Independence H S has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Garza Independence H S?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garza Independence H S has 37.3% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garza Independence H S a charter school?

No, Garza Independence H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Garza Independence H S a Title I school?

No, Garza Independence H S is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garza Independence H S?

43.6% of students at Garza Independence H S qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,724/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Austin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Travis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AUSTIN ISD
District Enrollment
72,830
Schools in District
123
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,950
District Rank
#54 of 118

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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