Chaparral Star Academy in Austin | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) data from Texas Education Agency.
College Readiness	10/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2024 ACT participation data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 SAT percent participation data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 SAT percent college ready data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 4-year high school graduation rate data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 Average SAT score data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 Average ACT score data from Texas Education Agency, using 2024 ACT percent college ready data from Texas Education Agency, and using 2025 demographic data from Texas Education Agency.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Percentage of students meeting growth target data from Texas Education Agency.

Posted: August 27, 2025

This school is great for people with difficult schedules because of extracurriculars, or people who need more individualized attention than a public school curriculum. Schedules can be very easily customized to accommodate individuals. The vast majority of the teachers are easily the best I've ever had, but the others are definitely the least qualified, and I know my fellow students would agree.
My biggest complaint is that the student community is small and somewhat sterile. There are no issues with bullying, but this is perhaps the least engaged school community I've ever been a part of- with the school and with each other. This is to be expected due to the size and nature of the school but it's more important than you might think!

CSA is great for lower grades, but the high school experience is somewhat disappointing when compared to what some other public high schools have to offer.

Overall, CSA is good if you:
* Need a shortened schedule for work and/or are committed to extracurriculars (such as sports, acting, dancing)
* Learn better with individual attention
* Need a simplified school day
* Want to graduate early
* Are transitioning from homeschooling
* Are in grades K-6

But not so much if you:
* Thrive in a solid school community, with sports teams, clubs, events, etc..
* Only want a shorter school day, as the workload can still get pretty crazy
* Struggle with self-motivation

Posted: January 30, 2025

This school has gone downhill and fast. What used to be a politically/socially neutral school has gone full woke with all the garbage that comes with it. There are quite a few of us who have either left or are on wait lists for other schools. I used to be so impressed with the communication, but this year there's been zero communication with teachers. The "zero tolerance for bullying" has become a joke. If your child is punched in the face by another kid for asking them to please stop touching me, YOUR kid will be blamed and ridiculed for crying by their horrendous 4th grade teacher. The "counselor" tells kids bullying "is bad" only to go on and say the very things that define bullying are not a big deal. Aside from the gym coach, not one teacher has intervened when any pushing, hitting, name calling, pinching until bruised, or hitting/kicking has taken place with anything other than a weak "stop that". There is no science for younger kids, no geography, no reading, and very minimal writing. The smaller kids can do algebra but have no idea what the capital of Texas is. The only thing these kids are learning academically is the star test. If it's not on that test, they won't learn it.

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: August 19, 2024

My son with autism and ADHD attended Chaparral for his entire K-12 education. The academics are excellent, and he was supported in obtaining a parallel associates from ACC. He starts university with over 100 credits from that enrollment and AP opportunities. But with that academic opportunity, it is still the social, emotional, and IEP supports that I consider most extraordinary. I do not believe he would have achieved the success he has at other larger schools where transitions and number of people can be overwhelming. The staff and teachers worked for 12 years to meet his needs. They facilitated lessons in social understanding, supported skipping a grade in elementary, dealt with meltdowns in a respectful and safe way, allowed independent advanced work in math where he excelled, engaged him in school clubs and activities, and overall worked to support his development has a person. I have two younger sons now enrolled at CSA as well. My 8th grader started in 6th grade as ELL with only two years of previous formal education, and he is now meeting expectations across his subject areas and enjoying having a consistent group of friends in all classes. My 3rd grader has the same teacher that my oldest had in 3rd grade. Though not on IEPs, they both receive similar individual support for who they are and what they need. We have missed having school sports, arts, and other extracurriculars, but club teams and community organizations still allow them to engage in the things they love, and the half day gives more time for that engagement. I highly recommend Chaparral for anyone looking for an academic focus in a caring, supportive, consistent setting.

Posted: August 19, 2024

Posted: April 17, 2024

My husband and kids and I are frequently commenting on how lucky we feel to have found this school. We transferred from RRISD and frankly were shocked at how bad my kids' experiences were there given Round Rock's glowing reputation. Chaparral excels in so many ways. Small class sizes are essential to a beneficial K-12 education. I think that people think they know that, but it's an entirely different thing to actually experience it. There are many schools who claim to have a 1:15 teacher-to-student ratio on these review sites, and I don't know where those additional adults are in the building to get those numbers, but my kids classes were always a size of about 30 before we came here to Chaparral.

I was a little skeptical about the 4 hour day at first. Is that really enough? I didn't fully grasp how much wasted time there is in traditional public schools. But isn't there a lot of homework then? My kids feel the amount of homework is totally manageable, and I find the quantity and level of challenge in the homework assignments to be age-appropriate. My neighbor's kids go to Valor, a full-day charter, and their amount of homework is only a little less. Small sample size, as we each have 2 kids, but this has been my impression of the homework load.

When we first visited the school, we felt welcomed by the teachers and administrators. I would describe the principal as approachable, responsive, and professional. Whenever I e-mail, replies come quickly, which was never the case in RRISD where responses might take a week, if they came at all. When I asked for support services, they were quickly and consistently provided. (Again, a far cry from RRISD).

Some down sides: I have read in some local moms groups that some parents were turned off by the look of the building's aesthetic. Are you able to look past that to discover this hidden gem? Let me tell you, my kids have attended some sleek, modern-looking, beautiful school buildings but what was inside was some of the worst pedagogy, classroom management, sense of community, and even downright aggression... it was like prison rules meets Lord of the Flies culture inside an attractive facade. I was just so tired if my advanced, well-behaved kids falling through the cracks! Turns out aesthetics and pedagogy aren't correlated.

Lastly, I would have liked my kids to join a school band. That's the only thing I feel like we're giving up to have them attend here, and that feels like a fair trade to me. A+ overall!

Posted: April 17, 2024

Posted: March 20, 2024

Ms. Hagen, the principal, never smiles. How can someone lead without showing basic care for students? I withdrew my kid because the school affected him emotionally. Also, they hire unqualified teachers. Charappal Star needs better management to address these issues, including allegations of racism. If it weren't for the short hours, I would have withdrawn long ago. They lack sensitivity in dealing with young children. Professional help is needed, and a simple smile can go a long way.

Posted: March 20, 2024

Posted: January 15, 2024

Im writing this review because the one I wrote previously isnt showing up for some reason. Its our first year and our daughter is in 5th grade. She is thriving for the first time in her school career so far: emotionally, academically, and in her outside activities of gymnastics and swimming. We LOVE the half day schedule. The school culture is caring and warm. My daughter feels seen and valued. We couldnt ask for a better school experience. Thank you Chapparl Star! They also listen to parent concerns and take them seriously! The principal is hands on in so many ways-truely amazing.

Posted: January 15, 2024

Posted: December 17, 2023

Best features:

Excellent teachers with excellent credentials who connect well with their classes
Small classes - typically about 15 in a classroom
cadre of good students who are quite diverse
Safe environment
rigorous curriculum [the high school is singularly college preparatory and best for the academically inclined]
Plenty of AP offerings and a terrific academic success ratio for the school's graduates
parent/school interaction is regular and transparent
Potentially flexible scheduling

Worst features:

Limited co-curricular, club, and extra-curricular activities.
No organized athletics
No "lunch period" - it is possible to schedule all morning or all afternoon classes, although many HS students mix them somewhat for personal convenience, which means lunch becomes problematic for them. Brown bagging a snack lunch is typical.
The only foreign language offered in the building is Spanish, although a different language could be taken for credit through the cooperative agreement with Austin Community College.

The great features outbalance the worst features by a wide margin for our family. A student who wanted to participate in a team sport, or a team co-curricular such as Model UN or Debate would be disadvantaged. However, the flexible scheduling has proven perfect for students who daily practice individual competitive sports, such as tennis or swimming.

Posted: December 15, 2023

Awesome school. Top notch teachers and great supportive environment for kids.

Posted: December 15, 2023

CSA gave my children the best elementary education I could have ever hoped for. The environment encourages self-empowerment, and responsibility from a very young age. I would (and do) recommend this school to anyone who is looking for something outside the usual public school experience.

Posted: December 15, 2023

Posted: December 14, 2023

Wonderful school. So glad we found it. No bullies here.

Posted: December 14, 2023

Chaparral Star Academy in Austin, Texas, has truly been a game-changer for our family. As parents of a 2nd-grader and a 5th-grader, finding a school that not only educates but also fosters a healthy routine was critical for us. This school has exceeded our expectations on multiple fronts.

One of the standout features of Chaparral Star Academy is its unique approach to school timings. With a shortened 4-hour schedule that emphasizes academics and health through PE, our kids have thrived. The absence of a lunch break might seem unconventional, but it's been a blessing in disguise. Our kids now come home early, allowing us to ensure they have wholesome homemade meals. Previously, uneaten lunches were a constant worry, but thanks to this schedule, our kids' health and nutrition have significantly improved.

Furthermore, the support for our son's speech therapy sessions has been nothing short of outstanding. The dedicated teacher who oversees these sessions has played a pivotal role in our child's progress over the last two years. The improvement we've witnessed is remarkable, and we're immensely grateful to the principal, the English teacher, and the speech therapist for their expertise and guidance. Their efforts have not only benefited our child but have also educated us as parents on how to navigate such issues at home.

Academically, we've seen a noticeable uptick in our children's performance across various subjects. The 6-week progress reports provide comprehensive insights into their progress in math, ELA, science, social studies, and PE. This transparent and accessible system has reassured us that our kids are in the right hands. We firmly believe that Chaparral Star Academy will continue to nurture and guide our children until they complete their 12th-grade education.

In summary, Chaparral Star Academy has created an environment where our kids not only learn but thrive. From the innovative schedule to the exceptional support for specialized needs and the insightful progress reports, this school has become a cornerstone in our children's educational journey. As parents, we couldn't be more grateful for the positive impact it's had on our family.

Posted: December 14, 2023

Chaparral Star Academy is a great school. My daughter has been attending here for three years now, and we both love it. It is easy to communicate with her teachers, they're all very friendly, the principal is also very understanding. She says her teachers are very nice and goofy - in the main Mr. M Rivera.
My daughter always comes home with great stories to tell about her day, and they've all been good ones, but when she has any trouble she is able to quickly get help from her teachers. The students are all very kind and considerate to each other, they're always laughing and having fun. The overall atmosphere of the school is always light and lovely, once again it is an amazing place for children to learn and grow. I will for sure have my daughter attend Chaparral Star Academy until she

Posted: December 14, 2023

I transferred here after feeling out of place in my public school and I can confidently say it was the best choice I ever made. Classes are pretty small, which allows for a much more of a connection with teachers, and the tight-knit environment really fosters a sense of learning and exploration. The faculty is also more than willing to work with you about accommodations, which I know can be very hard to get in public schools. It genuinely seems that the teachers enjoy their jobs, which makes classes rich and fulfilling, and I feel a sense of community, belonging, and being personally cared about here that I never got at public schools. As a small school, it naturally doesn't have as big a course catalog as other schools, and extracurriculars aren't as plentiful. Still, I have absolutely cherished my experience here and I would recommend it for anyone not getting the resources they need at public schools.

Posted: December 14, 2023

My daughter has gone to Chaparral Star Academy for the last two years and really loves it. The half day schedule allows her to train at higher level in sports outside of school while still giving her great education. She loves the teachers and the small class size that allow an open discussion and hands-on help with personal attention. The school was flexible enough to let her study higher-than grade level math, online for the first year and with older grades the second.

Posted: December 14, 2023

As a teacher at a school of choice, I recognize that our model isn't for everyone; however, those who thrive here really do thrive. It's built around the half-day, student-focused education. Kids are positioned in small classrooms, with a nearly 1:15 or 1:10 teacher to student ratio in middle and high school. This allows for students to focus on their academics rather than worry about disciplinary concerns or safety. The close knit community also makes it easier for teacher, parent, and student communication. We are a small school and we function like one. That has huge benefits for those who succeed in such an environment.

Posted: December 14, 2023

Posted: December 13, 2023

Our son started at Chapparal Star Academy during the 2020 COVID year as a 7th grader and is now a 9th grader. We are 3 years into this school and each year has been rock solid. The biggest asset at this school is by far the teaching/admin staff who are heavily invested in the students. My son will also say that the best thing about this school vs his old school is his teachers. They are truly dedicated, engaging for the students, answer my sons emails well into the evening/night, but most importantly, they really get him. The parents I know happily drive from VERY far away just to attend this school. The homework workload is also perfectly manageable. My son is currently taking 3 honors classes and has about 1-2 hours of homework daily. Although the classes max out at 20 students, my sons Freshman classes range from 8-15 students which allows for very individualized attention. For several subjects he has had the same teacher multiple years so that adds to the connectivity he feels towards his teachers. I cant say enough good things, we are so happy with this school. My only regret is that we did not know about CSA sooner!

Posted: December 13, 2023

My daughter is in high-school at CSA and has attended for the past 4 years. She is very happy there and has thrived academically. We love the small class size and abbreviated schedule, the latter allowing her more time for outside activities. CSA is a safe, small, and supportive school and we are very happy to have found it.

Posted: December 13, 2023

Posted: December 8, 2023

We love CSA. My daughter is in her second year here after transferring in 8th grade from another school that purported to be a college prep school, where, in reality, there was a lot of grade inflation happening. CSA is far more academically rigorous, and the workload was definitely an adjustment for her. Although the school day is just four hours, she does spend a significant amount of time on homework every day. I feel that the instruction style at CSA is great preparation for college. The school is VERY small and the student to teacher ratio is great. But if your kid is looking for the typical high school experience with lots of activities, team sports and social events, this is probably not the right school for them. For my daughter, the small size and close-knit environment has been a perfect fit. And she does a lot of extracurricular activities outside of school, so she does not need a school to provide that. Overall, we have been very happy with her experience at CSA.

Posted: December 8, 2023

A great place for students who pursue extracurricular activities outside the school without compromising the quality of education. CSA offers a condensed class schedule that allows my daughter to pursue her passion in sports in the morning. While the class schedule is condensed, the amount of schoolwork is not less than public schools and CSA has equivalent offerings in AP and honor classes. The smaller class setting also allows teachers to offer more customized attention to individual students with different needs in their own passion. They have been very accommodating my daughter's tournament schedule during the school week with customized make up plans. If you have a child who wants to spend more time in their own passion (music, arts, sports, etc.) without compromising the quality of education, I strongly recommend you check out CSA.

Posted: December 8, 2023

Before moving here, I did a lot of searching for the best school for my two children. The first year only my youngest son could enter, I counted the days until my other son could also be there. They have a very good education, there are excellent classmates and teachers. The atmosphere feels like being at home. I am very happy that they are there. I recommend it 100%

Posted: December 8, 2023

My son has only been here for 3 months, and is thriving. He has always been homeschooled and tried some alternative schools without finding the perfect fit. Chaparral has been supportive of the transition.
I was quite skeptical re: the ability of a public school to accommodate an accelerated learner, but since our first visit the school counselor was understanding of the situation and eventually worked out an adequate course placement. The teachers care for the kids, and some of them are outright hilarious, while classes and topics are highly engaging. Homework is rigorous, but not dull and / or to the test, as some reviews said actually always quite interesting. The student body is quite diverse and Im shocked some talked about racism. Is everything perfect? No school is! But when issues arise they are resolved promptly, and I appreciate this more than the apparent perfection other schools claim. Im seeing my son thrive every day and I feel this has been the best decision we have made for him.

Posted: December 8, 2023

Posted: November 17, 2023

We are in our 2nd year with this school. For us, having a school that is free from the nonsense (i.e. drugs, fights, cussing, apathy to learning, etc.) that is so prevalent in big public schools is exactly why we love Chaparral. Our child is learning, and doing so in a space free from the distractions and worries that we would be facing if our child went to one of Austin's many horrible large public schools. I can't say enough good things about Chaparral, and it is surprising that there are not hundreds of more schools following their approach. People (both parents and students), have no idea what they are missing.

Posted: November 17, 2023

Posted: September 26, 2023

I went to Star from 6th grade through high school graduation. It definitely is not the right experience for everyone. I see people complain that it does not provide enough college prep, but the class structure and amount of homework mirrors a college schedule more than any other high school. If you're putting in the work outside of class, you will be prepared for college. But if you expect to just go to school for half a day and do no other work than obviously you probably feel this school is lacking. It's true it does not offer many AP courses those do not end up being particularly helpful in college either other than giving you credit. Plus, it is really easy to do dual enrollment at ACC while at Star which is sometimes a better option than taking AP courses. The numbers dwindle in high school because of the lack of activities. Many of my classmates left after middle school because they wanted to join high school sports teams or other extra curricular that Star is too small to offer. There is also the social aspect to keep in mind. It will not have a lot of the social aspects of a normal high school but is a great fit for people who aren't worried about having a typical high school experience. The teachers are great overall but sometimes there were hits and misses. But in such a small school it's relatively easy to have your complaints heard. It's definitely not for everyone and not for people who want to just have their education spoon fed to them. I think the short days make it a great option for neurodivergent people or people with other mental health problems who might feel a greater toll from an 8 hour school day. Overall, I had a great experience and loved the instruction style.

Posted: September 26, 2023

Posted: January 22, 2023

We LOVE Chaparral! My kids are in 6th and 7th grade and have been in schools in LA, Austin, Brooklyn, and homeschooled. This set up is the most beautiful blend of maximizing education and minimizing wasted time. I highly encourage anyone who is curious about this school, to explore. It's truly been a blessing for us post pandemic, to give our kids a focused and supported education, in a non-noisy environment, with optimal student to teacher ratios, plus community and connection. We couldn't be more pleased.

Posted: January 22, 2023

Posted: January 9, 2023

Chaparral has been such a great school for both our children! We love the smaller class sizes and caring teachers.

Posted: January 9, 2023

Posted: January 7, 2023

My two children have been going to Chaparral Star Academy elementary school for the last 3+ years and it has been a great experience. We are planning to keep them both here through middle school and high school. The academics are stellar, their classmates are all very well behaved, self disciplined and friendly making it a very warm environment. The teachers are passionate about helping every child reach their potential which is possible thanks to the very small class sizes. We love that the half day schedule (options of a.m. session which is approximately 8:00 a.m. to noon, or p.m. session which is approximately noon to 4:00 p.m.) ensures that the primary focus is learning, both academics and lifelong social skills. This leaves plenty of time and energy outside of school for our kids to complete their homework and enjoy their extracurricular activities without us feeling like we are being stretched too thin or worn out. We have really loved being part of the CSA family and hope to be so for years to come!

Posted: January 7, 2023

Posted: January 10, 2020

I love Chaparral Star Academy & so does my son.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Posted: December 11, 2019

I've been at this school for almost ten years now and I think that it is a very good school. Yeah it's not perfect and students that don't manage their time well will have a lot of trouble, and yes there are some teachers who aren't exactly amazing. However, I've met some really great teachers here who truly care about their students, and if you are willing to try hard and manage your time well, you will succeed and probably have a really good experience. I'm not gonna lie, the homework can be pretty intense and it's not uncommon to have several hours worth of homework most nights (at least in High School). I guess I'm just trying to say that even though there are a couple issues, the pros far outweigh the cons. Whether you are busy and need more time for extracurricular activities or you just want to challenge yourself and have more free time at home with your family, this school is a very good choice.

Posted: December 11, 2019

There is a lot of homework, but it helps you learn how to manage your time well and helps to prepare you for college.

Posted: December 11, 2019

The amount of great teachers at the school is crazy. Nearly every grade level has a teacher who really goes above and beyond in helping students or just in making school more enjoyable overall.

Posted: December 11, 2019

There are a ton of really great people here who definitely make the work more enjoyable.

Posted: December 11, 2019

This school tries to help students with learning disabilities and differences, but I don't think that it is a great idea to enroll your student here unless their differences and disabilities are minimal. They won't get bullied or anything like that, but I don't know how well they will be able to learn the material.

Posted: December 11, 2019

Bullying is pretty much unheard of here. I don't know what else to say, it just doesn't really happen.

Posted: October 10, 2019

So far so good! My first-grader whos heavily involved in extracurricular athletics loves the teachers shes had thru K and 1st and appreciates the shorter day. Yeah, lots of worksheets/homework, but the time spent is still less than a traditional school. And it seems like they can do this because they dont put up with bullying and other classroom disruptions.

Posted: June 17, 2019

It seems like a good school for elementary/middle school but do NOT do your high school here. You will be woefully unprepared for college no matter how good a student you are due to the lack of AP classes and other resources. I learned this the hard way.

Posted: June 17, 2019

I had some good teachers, and others who were so lazy/disorganized that they made us grade our own tests and lost assignments. The AP courses is particular are lacking and do not prepare students for the tests.

Posted: June 17, 2019

The board and administration do not care about students. They care about manipulating everything to preserve their misleading "exemplary" ratings. Yeah it's easy to have a high graduation rate when there are literally only 20 students left in the senior class (in my year at least, that was AM and PM combined).

Posted: June 17, 2019

If you drag down their averages they'll try to push you out.

Posted: June 17, 2019

Posted: April 2, 2019

I see a difference in my children character after they join this school

Posted: April 2, 2019

Great school !!!, my children doing great after they join this school.

Posted: April 2, 2019

watching homework in detail and seriously. They make my children serious

Posted: April 2, 2019

Posted: February 18, 2019

Awesome school, great teachers and administration. Half day program is perfect for very active students.

Posted: February 18, 2019

Posted: January 6, 2018

My daughter will graduate from Chaparral Star Academy this Spring. She transferred to the school in the 5th grade so we have been with them for almost 8 years through elementary school, middle school, and high school. While the school is not for everyone, our daughter has thrived here. She has always been a good student and a self starter/type A/perfectionist but also had extracurricular interests. The compact half-day schedule has allowed her to work part time and pursue other activities (like dance and speech) while balancing academics on top of that. Thankfully, there is no time in the day for normal HS shenanigans, and behavior issues are rare. The compact schedule is also a benefit for those preparing to go to college; the students are in class for a limited time and then must learn how to budget their time to complete the classwork and projects during the other half of their day. Class sizes have varied (especially in high school) from 2-3 students to 15 students depending on the particular class. This small class size has allowed her to interact with some amazing teachers who have truly gotten to know her as a student and therefore know how to motivate and direct her learning in meaningful ways. Over the years, I have been impressed by how topics are often taught across disciplines at the same time resulting in a more well rounded and thought-provoking world view. I am so thankful for this unique model of schooling which fosters both inquisitiveness and independence.

Posted: January 6, 2018

Posted: December 19, 2017

I think CSA is a good alternative to parents who want to homeschool but are not able to. From what I've seen so far, I like the discipline and the friendly/respectful environment the school has. I also like the fact that students learn to do the work more efficiently due to the shorter school day.

Posted: December 17, 2017

This is our 3rd year at CSA. The model fits perfectly for both of my kids( 9th and 7th grade) who have extra curricular activities that demand a lot of time. Both feel challenged at school and we have been very impressed with the atmosphere and and how much our children have thrived. The faculty have all shown a true interest in making sure the students really learn the material and know what steps need to be taken to fully get the most from their education to prepare for college. It is the perfect place for any student that strives for excellence in their education as well as their passion outside of school.

Posted: December 13, 2017

This is our fifth year at CSA and I can say my three children (currently 8th, 10th and 12th grade) are thriving here. It is a small school so there are less extracurricural activities for sure, no sports, band, or cheerleading, but there is a nationally recognized (middle and high school) speech&debate team. It is one of the most successful in the whole state. The skills my children are learning in speech will serve them well the rest of their lives, no matter what profession they choose. What I really appreciate about the small size of the school is the unique community and learning environment it creates. All the children are known, seen, and heard. Nobody can fall through the cracks, or stay unnoticed and any bullying or problematic behavior is swiftly taken care of. Because of the small class sizes teachers know their students well, keep them engaged, responsible and also assist them individually. I feel like my children are getting private school level education and attention without the cost. They are held to a high standard when it comes to homework and studying that challenges students to work their hardest.

Posted: January 8, 2017

We are in our 2nd year with two elementary age kids at Chaparral. We love the small class size, diversity, and short school days. No school is perfect. There are few extracurricular activities and no playground. But the younger grades do receive P.E. And enrichment classes that rotate between music, theater, art and health.

Posted: February 18, 2016

First, I advise you to throw out all of the "Star is THE best (or worst) school in the world" reviews - they are obviously biased and written to persuade. Do your own research and look at facts. A significant number of high school students have left over the past year due to dissatisfaction over minimal instruction, limited number of courses , strong cliques, and teacher (and staff) -student favoritism. There is a strong emphasis on the speech team, which could be a good thing, except that the school places less emphasis on other academics. For example, the Board approved a large amount of funds for the speech team, yet would not approve the Biology teacher's request for enough textbooks to distribute to each student, because they felt the the textbook downloaded onto their oft-malfunctioning tablets were sufficient. Regarding the state's school rankings, remember that standardized test scores do not provide much information. The state-mandated passing grade for the STAAR EOC exams in Biology, Geometry, and English I in 2015 were 50%, 46%, and 61%, respectively. That's not hard to accomplish with minimal instruction. If your student is looking to explore different areas of interest and want more opportunities, look to the larger schools. There are excellent public schools in the area.

Posted: February 18, 2016

Posted: August 7, 2015

I am a proud CSA alumni and have recently completed my first year of college. I graduated from CSA with not only a 4.0 GPA but also an understanding of how to study, use my time effectively, and succeed in classes whether I love the subject or not. The condensed schedule does mean that there is a lot more homework than at your typical high school, however I can tell you from my college experience that this amount of outside work prepares you tremendously for the hectic college schedule that you may have later on. This school challenges you to be your best and because I worked hard and got the grades to show that, I was accepted into the Honors College at a major university. Not only that, but CSA taught me enough time management that throughout high school I was able to keep up my GPA while also being involved in multiple school clubs. Because of these experiences, I was presented with a Service and Leadership Scholarship from my university. I fully believe that CSA gave me the knowledge I needed in the main school subjects, but more importantly it taught me how to succeed in a challenging environment. Yes there is a lot of homework, and yes you have to put time and effort into your classes to get an A. But coming from a current college student, I can tell you that having to work for my 4.0 in high school is the reason that I have had the skills to be able to keep up that 4.0 GPA in college. CSA did a great job of preparing me for my next step after high school, and I can't thank the teachers and administration enough for giving me the opportunity to attend this school.

Posted: August 7, 2015

CSA sets the standard by employing wonderful role models. The administration provides an open door for everyone on campus to share any concerns, which are addressed promptly.

Posted: August 7, 2015

Chaparral Star Academy has been a wonderful choice for our family. I feel confident the children will continue to receive an excellent education provided by amazing teachers. The administration will not tolerate bad behavior and provides student/parent support unlike anything we've experienced before.

Posted: February 18, 2015

We truly love the school, but would prefer a female be added to the middle school staff to support behavior management, especially for the boys, who at this age can often exhibit poor conduct choices in a social setting. The school principal, Mrs. Hagen, has been very supportive and we are confident the school will continue to improve and excel. There is no doubt it's where we prefer our kids attend school.

Posted: January 24, 2015

This school has excellent teachers who know their subjects well and work with very few resources to teach students, many who attend for the shorter hours than for the academics. Teachers work longer hours than at other public schools due to the double daily sessions they teach. It is a challenging environment for the teachers and staff, but they work hard and care about their students. The school works well academically through middle school. As with many small schools, there are problems. Once in high school, the course choices are lmited, even among the core subjects. Currently, chemistry and physics classes are taught online, with only a classroom monitor present. Student enrollment is small, so the social dynamics plays a huge role. Children of staff appear to get preferential treatment. Bullying has been a growing problem over the years, but not addressed. Students have left the school when the social dynamics have become difficult. If a student is immune to the social hierarchy, wants the flexibility of a shorter school day, and is satisfied studying mostly core subjects, the school will work for him/her. Otherwise, a different school will be a better choice.

Posted: November 5, 2014

This is an excellent school if you have a child in the elementary or middle school. Once your child hits high school RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!! The board does not support the high school students and allows disadvantages to their own student body. There are little to no honors, pre-AP and AP classes and when asked about them they will tell you "all our classes are on honors levels" but the kids get no credit for such. Very disappointing school and school board. Not an elite school at all.

Posted: September 28, 2014

CSA is NOT a good fit for you if... > You want a personalized curriculum. It s a traditional public school education, complete with TEKS/standardized testing, condensed into 4 hrs. If you want alternative educational options, check altedaustin.com. >You seek a strong sense of community at events. Parent involvement is low and it s usually the same parents. >You expect stellar teachers across the board. As with any school, there are a handful of fantastic educators, a handful you wish weren't there, and a lot who fall somewhere in between. CSA might be a good fit for you if >Parents are willing to be co-educators. A condensed 4 hour school day means increased responsibility at home. >You easily fall into line with expectations/rules. Admin is cordial but usually unwavering when it comes to issues. You often hear "As a K-12 school, we face a challenge with because..." >You value school rankings & awards. CSA earns many of them but exemplary awards don't mean the curriculum is superior. Students who don't perform well in this environment often transfer out, leaving only those who excel in this type of education model. That can skew performance indicators.

Posted: April 19, 2014

We are happy with the school after our child's first year in kinder. The main pro is small class size (15), which allows for individualized attention. My child reads well and the teacher was proactive in making sure she stays challenged. There seem to be few/no issues with bullying. The con is that as a charter school, Star does not receive as much funding as the local school. It shows in the facilities (lack of a library, playground, greenspace). Teachers have said they appreciate how much less bureaucracy they have to deal with here vs. at a regular public school. The half day allows us extra time to pursue music & sports w/o tiring out our child or running into weekends. Other notes: does not feel like a traditional school. It is in an office building; entrance is cold & concrete. There are dogs onsite. It is very religiously diverse, so they are careful not to celebrate certain holidays. The school feels very "family" where kids know other kids across grades. The families seem to be less well-off than the suburban area where we live but committed to their kids' education and on the whole, people we like to be associated with.

Posted: April 3, 2014

Chaparral Star Academy is an excellent school. The leadership, staff and teachers go out of their way to provide a great education. The Principal is driving this school in a direction that enhances the students future. We have a daughter in Kindergarten who enjoys going to school everyday. She is challenged with homework that will enhance her future in reading ,writing and math. The Kindergarten program evaluates each student sets out a curriculum to improve the students skills. My daughter is advanced and she was provided with a curriculum to improve her skills further. The school program is challenging. The kids who are behind are not pushed ahead, they are provided just as much attention as any other student. The advanced kids are challenged so that they are not bored. We also enrolled our daughter in the Round Rock Library Reading program . Combining the Library resources with the school has provided great results. Chaparral Star Academy provides an excellent education curriculum. The focus is on education. Thank you to the Principal, Staff and Teachers for creating a simple, challenging, and focused school.

Posted: September 16, 2013

It is probably better to just keeping homeschooling than to send your kids to this school. Kids get a quite a bit of homework and usually need a lot of help from parents in order to keep up with their grades.

Posted: August 24, 2013

This school is outstanding. Three of my kids attend / attended this school with great success in achieving the academic goals from the higher level of learner and focus. My oldest has graduated and had four plus colleges after her with full scholarships. Chaparral Star Academy has provided my kids the confidence, the ability to achieve more than what the public schools had to offer. This school and the quality teachers are directly responsible for making me feel my kids will be all they can be and more. Now in saying this and having been in the corporate world for over 20 years, no corporation, company or institution exists that has not had some issues/problems. There have been some teachers in the past that did not seem on board with Chaparral Star Academy, its core beliefs and structure. They are now gone and I see from other posts that it may not have been by their choice (but that's none of our business). I am proud of the school for making its stand on the behalf of the students. That is what it should be about, the future of the school and its students. I would recommend and refer anyone who is looking for a higher level of education for their kids.

Posted: August 23, 2013

I completely agree with the review below. This school did start out with solid purpose and good intentions, but over time bureaucracy has run amuck. You can survive at this place if your child is quick, compliant, and not affected by verbal abuse. "Star is not for everyone" means "we only want students that will help us maintain our exemplary rating." They hide behind having "compact, accelerated" schooldays to keep only the best and brightest, and then take away resource after resource from teachers knowing that due to the half-day schedule there's near 100% stay-at-home parent involvement, and those parents will pick up the slack wherever the school falls short. Toward the end, my husband and I did literally ask ourselves what we were sending the kids to school at all for anymore since I was practically homeschooling anyway. There were some fabulous teachers who had gotten very proficient at teaching without resources, and they didn't get their contracts renewed for "not fitting with the vision and direction of the school" which is a major compliment. Please save yourself the life lesson and look elsewhere for your child's education.

Posted: August 16, 2013

This school is just wonderful! I have 2 kids who have been at CSA, one is a Sr. this year & 1 a Sr in college. The 1st year my older son was at CSA there were 11 students in his class -- we received and continue to receive a private school caliber education for our public school dollars. The small class size and non-acceptance of disciplinary issues from transfer students are a huge part of being able to do more educating in less time. The parents who are leaving negative reviews are upset over some staff leaving -- no teacher has tenure at this school, you must be asked back every year. The school board & administrative staff are bound BY LAW to not discuss issues involving personnel. It is one thing to support your child's teacher and another thing entirely to show up at a board meeting with the pitchforks & torches (figuratively). The school does not present itself as being "one size fits all", & states quite clearly the type of student that will benefit most from attending. We now have activities like pep-squad and Jr/Sr trips, speaking to the fact that the faculty & staff support one another. The principal rocks, from parking lot duty to dressing up for book fair!!

Posted: August 16, 2013

We have been a part of the Chaparral Star Academy family for over 4 years. It is a great school. The classes are small and the teachers are able to get to know their students and their abilities and they work to get the best out of each and every student. The standards and expectations are high and the students work for their grades so that they actually mean something and aren't just handed out for showing up, but for the work the student does. It is only a 4 hour school day and a lot has to be covered, so homework is definitely a part of the package. It has to be. The school was designed for kids that are self motivated and can work independently which is clearly stated on the website. We are thrilled with the education our child is receiving and highly recommend this school to students that are motivated and willing to work.

Posted: August 15, 2013

I appreciate that our principal is in charge and doesn't cower to parents demanding the outrageous. A school that caters to the parents instead of the students is certainly headed for disaster. CSA is definitely looking out for the best interest of its students. Rules are clearly communicated and I get frustrated when families won't follow them. The front office is cordial and accommodating. I appreciate that the CSA teachers take their jobs seriously and do their best to prepare their students for success in all areas, not just school. I wish all schools could operate with the professionalism CSA exhibits. I feel my child gets the best education possible and I have nothing to complain about.

Posted: August 15, 2013

This school is certainly not for all children. When they say to you, "this model does not fit everyone" they mean: special ed or even kids who work slowly or your child will be run out by threat of failing or being told you need full day program. But they will take your tax money, thanks. Also, this school is not for children who are "gifted and talented" though they would like for to believe that they attract the top echelon of learners. They refuse to provide appropriate materials for kids who can excel or train the teachers to teach them. Last year, this school refused to buy readers for my child's top level reading group, instead giving my child's teacher textbooks from the 1970's. This request was finally met in April, after most of my child's opportunity to learn for the year had elapsed. The school library, used to supplement my younger daughter's reading material last year when there were no textbooks available for her, was removed at the end of last year as though it was not a crucial resource. This was done without parent input. The school's motto is "to be the best school in the world" which about sums up the experience. Grandiosity without anything to merit the claim.

Posted: August 14, 2013

I recently graduated from Chaparral Star Academy after spending 8 years there and am getting ready to head off to college in a couple days now. Because of Star I couldn't feel more ready and prepared for college than I do right now. The teachers at Star are amazing and I'm so lucky to have had a good portion of them at some time. The school is definitely advanced paced and hard but as a student, and I'm not speaking for all students, just myself, it is something that I came to appreciate so much. Had the school not been harder I don't think I would be nearly as prepared and confident to start my college experience as I am. My last year at Star was incredible and CSA has become a second family to me. Even though I feel so ready to continue my adventure through life it's hard for me to think that I won't be going back to Star as a student. Star pushes its students to be their best and I have Star to thank for helping me get to that point myself. I noticed that there weren't many reviews from students and I wanted to make sure people see how grateful I am to Star for being the awesome school that it is. 2013 Chaparral Star Academy Graduate

Posted: August 14, 2013

There are a number of issues with this school. First, there is simply not enough time to adequately teach the subjects, and still meet the state's non-academic requirements (such as PE). As a result, much is demanded of parents in order to prepare the students. Frankly, it would be easier to home school. Second, membership on the board is determined by the sitting members of the board. This allows the board to completely ignore the voices of parents and teachers. Third, the administration is completely focused on performing well on standardized tests. Under-performing students are not encouraged to excel, but rather encouraged to find a new school. Finally, the administration seems much more interested in attempting to direct traffic on public roads than interested in improving the performance of students. This is not a joke. The principal regularly screams at parents in the drop-off line. If your only criterion for a school is that it be a half-day program, then you might wish to consider Chaparral Star Academy.

Posted: August 7, 2013

The school has been such a blessing for myself and so many families. I inquired about the new crop of elementary teachers coming in, and they seem amazing! One of them was nominated as teacher of the year in a previous school district! The environment has been wonderful with so many fantastic students, parents and staff. A strong community that has both an academic push and love for kids. It is a half day school so you are warned, up front, that they fit more into the day than a typical school and to be prepared for homework. In the end, the education they get is well worth it and surpasses what you see in most schools.

Posted: September 9, 2012

As a long-time parent of this school, I receive an email notice anytime a review is posted about CSA. I'm intelligent enough to form my own opinion about the practices of this school and I certainly suspect that any parent whom blatantly posts such negative comments (referring to the negative comment from 9-7-12) must have broken rules and just doesn't like being asked to follow reasonable processes. The most wonderful thing about CSA is that you are not stuck with it as your only alternative. If it is not a good fit for your family, you can choose something else. Simple as that. It's been my experience that, no matter what school you attend, the registrar is required to seek a reason for the tardy and no age is exempt from supplying the "why". How ridiculous for a parent to act as if that is wrong. If you don't like your children being asked why they are tardy......get your kids to school on time. Simple as that. As far as the other comments from this parent.....they have no value with me. The comments about tardies are proof enough this parent has a skewed idea about the way things SHOULD be. Thank you CSA! I love this school!

Posted: July 9, 2012

My daughter has attended Star for 2 years and loves it. The smaller class size and individual attention it affords are fabulous. It is definitely not the school for everyone however if your child is highly involved in a sport and is self motivated and disciplined- it may be a perfect fit. For my child, it has worked very well- she goes to school, comes home and eats a healthy lunch and then does homework for 3-4 hours. When she is done, she goes to her sport training classes. When she was in public school, she would go straight from school to training and had to eat and do homework in the car- definitely not ideal. Now, my child is learning and thriving at Star. I also think the condensed schedule is a nice preparation for college- you go to class lectures and learn for a small portion of your day, get your assignments and then have to budget your time to complete your work and succeed. No place is right for everyone but Star has certainly been a great fit for our family.

Posted: May 28, 2012

Perfect school for us! Chaparral Star Academy is not for everyone, we have met lots of people that it doesn't work for. What we love: No fluff- all those things I hated at public school, we don't have to worry about here. No cafeteria headaches (they do not eat lunch at school), no wasted time lining up in the hall to be shuttled to another class (and yelled at by the teachers while doing so), no "dead time" during class, no recess. Zero tolerance for discipline issues. It is such a relief to not have to worry about your child one bit when sending him to school each day. Instead of him coming home with stories of who got in trouble that day and what they did to whom, he has only stories about what they learned and discovered. Love having the same teachers for several years in a row, I feel that they really get to know my child's strengths and weaknesses and we don't have to spend half the year getting to know a new teachers' way of doing things. What's not to love about a 4 hour school day! He's happy, we're happy!

Posted: May 23, 2011

Good school. Students are only limited by their own initiative and motivation. ISDs do not compare.

Posted: May 22, 2011

My daughter is doing so well at Star. I've watched Star grow for the past 10 years and have to say, it is better now than it has ever been. It seems the only people unhappy with Star are the ones who fail to realize that Star is simply not for everyone. It's a demanding school suited for serious students. Any struggling student is better off at a school that does not have such a rigorous model. For students and families looking for a college prep academy, look no further than Chaparral Star Academy. I'm so glad Star has an administration interested in consistent improvement and professionalism.

Posted: January 18, 2011

My daughter came from another Charter School. We LOVE Star. The teachers are amazing, loving and committed. Both Mrs. Hagin (the Principal) and Mr. Barnett (the Asst. Principal) are dedicated to the school the represent and the students. They are both outside during drop-off and pick-up supervising the students they care so much about. You can actually tell by the way they "protect" the children crossing the parking lot that the children are their priority. The teachers are just as wonderful as the administrative staff. I honestly can't say one bad thing about the school, the principals or the staff. Highly recommend. Students are encouraged to go above and beyond. WONDERFUL!!

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Anderson Mill	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Austin	TX	6.5 mi
2	Midtown Commons at Crestview Station	Apartment Complex	Austin	TX	6.9 mi
3	Mill creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Salado	TX	37 mi
4	Evergreen Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Harker Heights	TX	42 mi
5	Spanish Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Killeen	TX	42.5 mi
6	Skipcha Mountain Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Harker Heights	TX	42.5 mi
7	White Rock Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Killeen	TX	42.8 mi
8	Timber Ridge Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Killeen	TX	42.8 mi
9	Knights Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Harker Heights	TX	42.9 mi
10	Savannah Heights	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Killeen	TX	43.5 mi
11	Glenwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Killeen	TX	43.8 mi
12	Oak View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Belton	TX	46.7 mi
13	Copperas Cove	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Copperas Cove	TX	47.9 mi
14	Northcliffe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Belton	TX	48.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Main street	Salado	TX	36.4 mi
2	Harker Heights	Harker Heights	TX	43.6 mi
3	Elms street	Killeen	TX	45.3 mi
4	East Rancier Road	Killeen	TX	47.4 mi

Base	Distance
Camp Mabry	9.6 mi.
Fort Hood	48.4 mi.

Chaparral Star Academy

Austin, TX 78728

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Chaparral Star Academy

Austin, TX 78728

School Ratings

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