Very Good
#1336 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 16% in state
Walnut Springs EL
Elementary School · DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
P O BOX 479, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Enrollment
916
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
916
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dripping Springs
#1 of 8
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#712 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 8
DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Walnut Springs EL
Walnut Springs Elementary serves 916 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the Dripping Springs community of Hays County, Texas. With 63 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school currently ranks in the 52nd percentile among Texas elementary schools, positioning at #4154 out of 8598 schools statewide, with room for academic growth.
Walnut Springs Elementary focuses on serving its diverse student body during these foundational years of learning. The school draws families from an affluent area where the median household income reaches $138,639 and home values average $585,300. The surrounding community is highly educated, with 62% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5%.
This educated, financially stable community environment provides a supportive backdrop for students' educational journey. As a regular public school, Walnut Springs Elementary operates within the broader educational framework while serving its specific community needs. The school is situated in a rural setting, offering students a quieter, more spacious environment away from urban congestion while still being part of the growing Dripping Springs area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Walnut Springs EL 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
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Walnut Springs EL — Students at Walnut Springs EL score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.2/10.
How Walnut Springs EL Compares
See how Walnut Springs EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 51% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 58% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 479, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walnut Springs EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SYCAMORE SPRINGS EL (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is DRIPPING SPRINGS EL (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ROOSTER SPRINGS EL (rated 6.7/10, 7.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dripping Springs, see our Dripping Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE Dripping Springs | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS H S Dripping Springs | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| PATHWAYS SCHOOL AT DSUMC Dripping Springs | 1.7 mi | — |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS EL Dripping Springs | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| PATHFINDER CAMP Driftwood | 4.7 mi | — |
| AESA PREP ACADEMY Austin | 6.5 mi | 6.0 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF DRIPPING SPRINGS Dripping Springs | 6.9 mi | — |
| SYCAMORE SPRINGS EL Dripping Springs | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE Dripping Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| CYPRESS SPRINGS EL Dripping Springs | 7.4 mi | 5.0 |
| ROOSTER SPRINGS EL Dripping Springs | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| ESCUELA HISPANOAMERICANA DE TEXAS Austin | 8.0 mi | — |
| THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF DRIPPING SPRINGS Austin | 8.4 mi | — |
| WEST CYPRESS HILLS EL Spicewood | 10.5 mi | 4.4 |
| LAKE TRAVIS MIDDLE Spicewood | 10.7 mi | 5.8 |
| BEE CAVE MIDDLE Austin | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| BLUE HOLE PRI Wimberley | 11.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ROUGH HOLLOW EL Spicewood | 11.8 mi | 5.9 |
| LUPINE LANE Austin | 11.5 mi | 5.9 |
| BEE CAVE EL Austin | 11.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78620 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$146,551
Median Home Value
$624,800
Median Rent
$1,674/mo
Population
20,624
College Educated
61.8%
Homeownership
86.3%
Avg Commute
31.4 min
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walnut Springs EL has a median household income of $146,551. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $624,800, with a median rent of $1,674/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| AUSTIN EL Pecos, TX | 7.8 |
| BENNETT EL Wolfforth, TX | 7.8 |
| BILL HASSE EL Alvin, TX | 7.8 |
| BIRNHAM WOODS EL Spring, TX | 7.8 |
| CALDER ROAD EL Dickinson, TX | 7.8 |
| CLAYTON EL Austin, TX | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walnut Springs EL
What grades does Walnut Springs EL serve?
Walnut Springs EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Walnut Springs EL?
Walnut Springs EL has an enrollment of approximately 916 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walnut Springs EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Walnut Springs EL is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walnut Springs EL rank in TX?
Walnut Springs EL is ranked #1336 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Walnut Springs EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Springs EL has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Walnut Springs EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walnut Springs EL has 49.5% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walnut Springs EL a charter school?
No, Walnut Springs EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walnut Springs EL a Title I school?
No, Walnut Springs EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walnut Springs EL?
13.9% of students at Walnut Springs 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 916
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hays County
- Phone
- (512) 858-3800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD- District Enrollment
- 8,538
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,459
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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