The Eanes school district is doing an excellent job of interesting its students in higher learning, and those students are doing an excellent job once they get into colleges and universities, according to a report recently issued by the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Nearly 99 percent of Westlake High School seniors submitted college applications, many matriculating to world-class universities, the report stated. According to the report, 96 percent of 2008 seniors graduated in four years and 87 percent enrolled in college in the fall following graduation.

“No only do a high percentage of Eanes graduates continue their education, they find themselves extremely well-positioned to successfully tackle academic challenges,” said the initial summary in the report.

The report on how well the school district is meeting its own goals and doing its part to increase metro-Austin higher education student enrollment was based primarily on 2008-2009 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills standardized tests. In general, the report gave the local public school district flying colors and showed that it has the highest college readiness and direct-to- college enrollment rates of all metro-Austin school districts. While economically disadvantaged students accounted for less that 3 percent of the population and performed strongly at all levels, the report said this sub-group TAKS passing rates lagged behind those of other students and recommended the district continue focusing on the needs of those students.

At the high school level, the report also found that the district’s graduation TAKS passing rates held steady at just below 100 percent; 90 percent of seniors were able to write at college-ready levels; and that the percentage of students scoring at commended levels continues to rise. At the middle school level, essentially all eighth graders tested as ready for high school-level reading and math, 90 percent of eighth graders were prepared for high school-level science and more students overall continued to score in commended levels. It also showed that more Eanes middle school students scored at the commended levels in reading and social studies than in math and science.

In its elementary school summary, the report stated that nearly all fifth graders were prepared for middle school-level reading, math and science; the percentage of elementary students scoring at commended levels continued to rise or held steady; and that more students scored at commended levels in math and science than in reading.

Recommendations from the Chamber task force for high school, middle school and elementary school students included improving achievement for all students and all subpopulations in reading/language arts, math, science and social studies so that all TAKS passing rates are at or above 90 percent and continuing to increase the number of students achieving in commended ranges.

“The Board is gratified that the Chamber recognized the superior performance of our students on the standardized tests,” said Jim Strickland, Eanes school board president. “The percentage of our students achieving the commended level is an accomplishment few districts can match.”