In the rolling hills of Greater Austin, Texas, the Eanes Independent School District (EISD) operates not merely as a collection of schools, but as a testament to a community’s enduring commitment to educational sovereignty and high achievement. This is a district where “Exemplary”—the highest possible accountability rating from the State of Texas—became the norm for all nine of its schools for consecutive years, a rare distinction, especially for a 5A district. Such consistent performance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of deliberate choices, sustained effort, and a deeply embedded belief in the potential of every student.
The story of Eanes ISD begins with a quintessential Texan spirit of independence. Its roots trace back to 1872 and a humble log cabin school on the property of Robert Eanes. By 1874, a one-room frame structure on land donated by William and Sophia Teague served the community. Fast forward to 1957, a watershed year: Travis County officials decided to dissolve the county’s rural school system. The residents of the Eanes community faced a stark choice – merge with the larger Austin Independent School District or chart their own course. On April 12, 1958, they voted decisively for autonomy, establishing the Eanes Independent School District. This foundational act of self-determination continues to shape the district’s ethos.
Today, EISD serves approximately 7,700 to 7,900 students across six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school – Westlake High. It encompasses the entirety of West Lake Hills, a majority of Rollingwood, and significant portions of Austin, covering nearly 12 square miles of land within the city. This geographical footprint, while relatively small, carries a disproportionate weight in terms of educational reputation.
Strategic Leadership: Orchestrating Sustained Success
Guiding this complex and high-achieving enterprise is Superintendent Dr. Jeff Arnett. Named to the top post in January 2022 after serving as Deputy Superintendent since 2016, Dr. Arnett is no stranger to the district’s intricate workings. As deputy, he was pivotal in overseeing district leadership, operations, and critical committees like “Envision Eanes” and the District Leadership Team. His leadership has been instrumental in developing and implementing a cohesive strategic plan that aligns all departments and operations toward common goals.
Dr. Arnett’s path to Eanes reflects a diverse and rich background in communications and education. Before his tenure in Eanes, he spent eight years in Barrington 220, a suburban Chicago school district, serving as assistant superintendent of operations & outreach and as chief communications officer. Prior to that, he honed his communication and public engagement skills as the director of communications, education & public programs for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. His public education career began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served various districts as a director of communications, director of school and community relations, and, importantly, as a classroom teacher – an experience that grounds his administrative perspective.
Holding bachelor’s degrees in both education and communications, master’s degrees in education and corporate communications, and a doctorate in educational leadership, Dr. Arnett embodies a commitment to lifelong learning. His credentials include Certification in Administrative Leadership with a superintendent’s credential in Texas and Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). This blend of practical classroom experience, strategic communication expertise, and executive leadership equips him to navigate the multifaceted challenges of a district like Eanes. His primary focus: meeting each student’s unique needs and preparing them for enduring success through high-quality instruction and access to a rich tapestry of opportunities.
The Eanes Blueprint: Data-Driven, Student-Focused
The academic achievements emanating from Eanes ISD are consistently striking. The district isn’t just performing well; it’s setting benchmarks. Consider Westlake High School’s Class of 2024: their average ACT score was 27.3, significantly above the state average of 19.84, with nine students achieving a perfect score. On the SAT, the average was 1248, compared to the state’s 971, including three perfect scores. These aren’t isolated incidents but reflections of a system working effectively.
The Advanced Placement (AP) program further illustrates this commitment. In the spring of 2024, 4,074 AP tests were administered, with an impressive 87% of students earning a score of 3 or higher, the general threshold for college credit. The 2023-24 National Merit Scholarship Program saw 35 Eanes students named Finalists and 56 as Commended Scholars, alongside numerous recognitions in the National Hispanic, African American, and Indigenous Scholar programs.
The ultimate outcome of a K-12 education is often measured by post-secondary pathways. For the Class of 2024, 99% gained college acceptance. A remarkable 88.5% planned to attend a four-year college, with graduates heading to 169 different colleges and universities across 42 states and 4 countries. Notably, at least one senior from this class received an acceptance letter from every one of the eight Ivy League institutions. These statistics paint a clear picture of a district successfully preparing its students for higher education at the most competitive levels. Beyond academics, this same class collectively completed nearly 30,000 hours of community service, indicating a focus on holistic development.
Underpinning this success is a significant investment in its educators and learning environment. The student-teacher ratio stands at a favorable 13.16 to 1. Teachers in Eanes bring an average of 11.6 years of experience, with 46.1% having 11 or more years in the classroom. Furthermore, 37.2% hold advanced degrees, signifying a highly qualified and dedicated teaching corps. The district’s early and comprehensive adoption of technology is also noteworthy. Eanes proudly served as a 1:1 mobile device district (iPads for every student, K-12) as early as 2011-2013, placing it among the pioneers in leveraging technology for personalized learning.
While Eanes ISD serves a relatively affluent community (with 5.0% of students classified as economically disadvantaged), it also caters to a spectrum of learners, with 14.1% identified as Gifted & Talented and 12.3% receiving Special Education services. The district’s stated goal of “meeting each student’s needs” is tested daily across this diverse academic landscape.
A Culture of Recognition and Continuous Improvement
The accolades Eanes ISD has garnered are numerous. Beyond the consistent “Exemplary” ratings, Texas nonprofit Children at Risk, in its 2014 Greater Austin School District Rankings, placed Eanes ISD #3 in the Austin Area and #33 in the State based on student achievement, campus performance, and growth. As of 2015, the district was ranked number one in Texas for Best Places to Teach, College Readiness, and Best Facilities by some metrics. Nationally, Westlake High School has often been the sole comprehensive four-year Texas public school in top national rankings. The district’s schools themselves are frequently recognized, with multiple elementary and middle schools earning the prestigious U.S. Blue Ribbon School award over the years, including Eanes Elementary (twice), Forest Trail Elementary, Barton Creek Elementary, Valley View Elementary, Hill Country Middle School, and West Ridge Middle School.
This sustained high performance is not accidental. It points to a deeply ingrained culture of expectation, support, and continuous improvement, driven by strategic leadership and strong community partnership. The decision in 1958 by Eanes residents to forge their own path laid a foundation of local ownership and investment that continues to yield dividends. The district, under Dr. Arnett’s leadership, continues to build on this legacy, ensuring that Eanes ISD remains not just a collection of high-performing schools, but a beacon of what public education can achieve when a community, its educators, and its leaders unite around a shared vision of excellence. The challenge, as with any high-performing entity, is to maintain this trajectory, adapt to new challenges, and continue to innovate, ensuring that future generations of Eanes students are equally well-prepared for the complexities of the world beyond its classroom walls.
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