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Needs Improvement

#8189 of 8,547 schools in TX

Idea Bluff Springs Academy

Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1700 E SLAUGHTER LN, Austin, TX 78744

Charter

Enrollment

597

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Austin

#224 of 238

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,359 of 4,678

In district

#110 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Idea Bluff Springs Academy

IDEA Bluff Springs Academy is a charter elementary school located in Austin, Texas. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 597 students and employs 30 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of nearly 20 to 1. Despite its current academic performance ranking at the lower end with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8142 out of 8598 schools, IDEA Bluff Springs Academy is committed to improving educational outcomes for its students.

With only 35% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 25% proficiency in Math across all grade levels, the school focuses on student development and academic growth. The school is situated in a large suburban area of Austin, providing a community setting that supports both learning and social engagement. While IDEA Bluff Springs Academy faces challenges in test performance, it remains dedicated to enhancing its educational programs for the benefit of its students.

What Parents Should Know

Idea Bluff Springs Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Bluff Springs Academy — Students at Idea Bluff Springs Academy score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
29%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Idea Bluff Springs Academy Compares

See how Idea Bluff Springs Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in TX
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

1700 E SLAUGHTER LN, Austin, TX 78744

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Bluff Springs Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. UPHAUS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (rated 6.6/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLAZIER EL (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PALM EL (rated 6.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Austin, see our Austin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
IDEA BLUFF SPRINGS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Austin 0.0 mi 6.0
BLAZIER EL Austin 1.1 mi 6.4
WAYSIDE ALTAMIRA ACADEMY Austin 1.3 mi 5.5
PEREZ EL Austin 1.4 mi 3.8
VALOR SOUTH AUSTIN Austin 1.9 mi 6.5
PALM EL Austin 1.7 mi 6.1
LANGFORD EL Austin 2.0 mi 4.6
WHOLE LIFE LEARNING CENTER Austin 1.8 mi 4.7
AKINS H S Austin 1.9 mi 4.1
WILLIAMS EL Austin 2.3 mi 5.7
WAYSIDE REAL LEARNING ACADEMY Austin 2.6 mi 5.4
WAYSIDE SCI-TECH MIDDLE AND H S Austin 2.6 mi 6.5
HILLCREST EL Austin 2.5 mi 4.5
PLEASANT HILL EL Austin 3.0 mi 5.5
MENDEZ MIDDLE Austin 2.9 mi 3.8
PAREDES MIDDLE Austin 2.7 mi 4.3
BEDICHEK MIDDLE Austin 3.0 mi 5.8
WIDEN EL Austin 3.0 mi 3.7
HOUSTON EL Austin 3.2 mi 4.4
UPHAUS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Austin 3.4 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78744 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,474

Median Home Value

$307,000

Median Rent

$1,516/mo

Population

51,069

College Educated

33.1%

Homeownership

49.4%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Idea Bluff Springs Academy has a median household income of $78,474. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,000, with a median rent of $1,516/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
ARMSTRONG EL Conroe, TX 3.5
AUGUSTO GUERRA EL Alamo, TX 3.5
BAKER-RIPLEY CHARTER SCHOOL Houston, TX 3.5
BRISCOE EL San Antonio, TX 3.5
CANALES EL Brownsville, TX 3.5
CARROLL EL Houston, TX 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Bluff Springs Academy

What grades does Idea Bluff Springs Academy serve?

Idea Bluff Springs Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Idea Bluff Springs Academy?

Idea Bluff Springs Academy has an enrollment of approximately 597 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Bluff Springs Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Bluff Springs Academy is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Bluff Springs Academy rank in TX?

Idea Bluff Springs Academy is ranked #8189 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Idea Bluff Springs Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Bluff Springs Academy has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Idea Bluff Springs Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Bluff Springs Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Idea Bluff Springs Academy a charter school?

Yes, Idea Bluff Springs Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Idea Bluff Springs Academy a Title I school?

No, Idea Bluff Springs Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Bluff Springs Academy?

81.9% of students at Idea Bluff Springs Academy 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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Travis County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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