Skip to main content

Below Average

#7611 of 8,547 schools in TX

Live Oak Academy

High School · HAYS CISD

4820 JACK C HAYS TRL, Buda, TX 78610

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buda

#12 of 13

public schools

Texas high schools

#1,641 of 1,699

In district

#23 of 26

HAYS CISD

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Live Oak Academy

Live Oak Academy is an alternative high school located in Buda, Texas, in a rural setting near the town. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and currently has an enrollment of 194 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Live Oak Academy prides itself on offering individualized attention to its diverse group of learners, with 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to meeting the needs of each student.

While the school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10 and it ranks at #6733 among Texas schools in terms of state ranking (22nd percentile), Live Oak Academy focuses on supporting students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. Academic performance shows that only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 10% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school can work to improve student outcomes. Live Oak Academy is situated in a supportive community that values its alternative approach to education, making it a unique choice for families seeking an environment that emphasizes personal development and individualized learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 194 students, Live Oak Academy 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 Live Oak Academy 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.

Located in a rural area, Live Oak Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-41.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness1.2Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,833

Live Oak Academy — Students at Live Oak Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.5%
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
10%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
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: 9.4/10.

How Live Oak Academy Compares

See how Live Oak Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in TX
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

4820 JACK C HAYS TRL, Buda, TX 78610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Live Oak Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MOE AND GENE JOHNSON H S (rated 6.5/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JACK C HAYS H S (rated 5.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEHMAN H S (rated 4.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Kyle), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Buda, see our Buda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
JACK C HAYS H S Buda 0.1 mi 5.7
R C BARTON MIDDLE Buda 0.2 mi 6.9
LAURA B NEGLEY EL Kyle 1.4 mi 5.2
LAURA B WALLACE MIDDLE Kyle 2.7 mi 6.0
SUSIE FUENTES EL Kyle 2.6 mi 4.0
KYLE EL Kyle 2.7 mi 6.9
IDEA KYLE ACADEMY Kyle 2.7 mi 3.7
IDEA KYLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Kyle 2.7 mi 4.7
SCIENCE HALL EL Kyle 3.3 mi 7.5
LEHMAN H S Kyle 3.5 mi 4.3
ARMANDO CHAPA MIDDLE Kyle 3.5 mi 4.7
ELM GROVE EL Buda 4.2 mi 8.3
TOBIAS EL Kyle 4.2 mi 7.7
ALTER IMPACT CTR Buda 4.5 mi 5.9
CEI PRESCHOOL SPANISH IMMERSION SCHOOL Kyle 4.1 mi
RALPH PFLUGER EL Buda 4.0 mi 3.6
CARPENTER HILL EL Buda 4.6 mi 7.4
ERIC DAHLSTROM MIDDLE Buda 4.7 mi 5.1
MOE AND GENE JOHNSON H S Buda 4.8 mi 6.5
DR T C MCCORMICK JR MIDDLE Kyle 4.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,417

Median Home Value

$379,300

Median Rent

$1,736/mo

Population

46,685

College Educated

42.4%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

32.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Live Oak Academy has a median household income of $110,417. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,300, with a median rent of $1,736/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LAREDO NORTH Laredo, TX 4.2
EAST CENTRAL CAST LEAD H S San Antonio, TX 4.3
PREMIER H S OF WACO Lewisville, TX 4.1
HUMBLE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER Humble, TX 4.4
LYDIA PATTERSON INSTITUTE El Paso, TX 4.0
EVOLUTION ACADEMY BEAUMONT Richardson, TX 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Live Oak Academy

What grades does Live Oak Academy serve?

Live Oak Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Live Oak Academy?

Live Oak Academy has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Academy is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Live Oak Academy rank in TX?

Live Oak Academy is ranked #7611 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Live Oak Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Live Oak Academy has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Live Oak Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Live Oak Academy has 10.0% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Live Oak Academy a charter school?

No, Live Oak Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Live Oak Academy a Title I school?

No, Live Oak Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Live Oak Academy?

37.1% of students at Live Oak 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 (1,768/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Hays County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HAYS CISD
District Enrollment
23,313
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,289
District Rank
#23 of 26

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.