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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,912

Walnut Springs EL — Students at Walnut Springs EL score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
58%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in TX
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (469/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
District Enrollment
8,538
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,459
District Rank
#1 of 8

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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