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Needs Improvement

#7629 of 8,552 schools in TX

Hill Country EL

Elementary School · BANDERA ISD

P O BOX 727, Bandera, TX 78003

Enrollment

487

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#7,629 of 8,552

In Bandera

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

BANDERA ISD

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Hill Country EL

3.9/10

Elementary School in Bandera · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pipe Creek Christian School

6.1/10

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alkek EL

4.8/10

8.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hill Country EL

Hill Country EL is a public elementary school in Bandera, TX, part of BANDERA ISD. Hill Country EL serves approximately 487 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hill Country EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,629 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Hill Country EL show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Hill Country EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,848
Chronic Absenteeism15%

Hill Country EL — Students at Hill Country EL 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

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 64.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
36.3%
ELA
49.9%
2024
Math
28%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Hill Country EL Compares

See how Hill Country EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in TX
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 727, Bandera, TX 78003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hill Country EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TOMLINSON EL (rated 8.2/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby San Antonio), which scores notably higher. Another option is KALLISON EL (rated 7.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby San Antonio), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MCANDREW EL (rated 7.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby San Antonio), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bandera, see our Bandera schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PIPE CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pipe Creek 3.8 mi 6.1
ALKEK EL Bandera 8.0 mi 4.8
BANDERA H S Bandera 9.4 mi 4.5
BANDERA MIDDLE Bandera 9.7 mi 4.7
HENDERSON EL San Antonio 12.8 mi 5.5
HARLAN H S San Antonio 13.3 mi 7.3
STRAUS MIDDLE San Antonio 13.6 mi 7.3
KALLISON EL San Antonio 13.8 mi 7.8
LEGACY TRADITIONAL SCHOOL - ALAMO RANCH San Antonio 14.1 mi 6.0
REED EL San Antonio 14.3 mi 5.5
SOTOMAYOR H S San Antonio 14.4 mi
FOLKS MIDDLE San Antonio 14.6 mi 5.6
TOMLINSON EL San Antonio 14.8 mi 8.2
MCANDREW EL San Antonio 14.5 mi 7.8
FRANKLIN EL San Antonio 15.1 mi 4.3
SCARBOROUGH EL San Antonio 15.3 mi 5.5
LOS REYES EL Helotes 14.8 mi 6.9
FABRA EL Boerne 15.7 mi 7.8
CRESTMONT CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Boerne 15.7 mi 6.5
POTRANCO EL San Antonio 16.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,500

Median Home Value

$233,100

Median Rent

$1,096/mo

Population

9,594

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

84.1%

Avg Commute

43.1 min

Poverty Rate

19%

Median Age

51.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
B H MACON EL Dallas, TX 3.9
BARBARA WALKER EL Crandall, TX 3.9
BOONE EL San Antonio, TX 3.9
CLIFT EL Waxahachie, TX 3.9
CONVERSE EL Converse, TX 3.9
CROCKETT EL Marshall, TX 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hill Country EL

What grades does Hill Country EL serve?

Hill Country EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hill Country EL?

Hill Country EL has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill Country EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Hill Country EL is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hill Country EL rank in TX?

Hill Country EL ranks #7,629 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Hill Country EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Hill Country EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hill Country EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hill Country EL has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hill Country EL a charter school?

No, Hill Country EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hill Country EL a Title I school?

No, Hill Country EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hill Country EL?

61.4% of students at Hill Country EL 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bandera County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

District

BANDERA ISD
District Enrollment
2,338
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,848
District Rank
#4 of 4

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