Kyle
5401 S. FM 1626
, #180
Kyle, TX 78640
Kyle, TX 78640
If you have a child in public school in Texas, then you know how important the STAAR test is. Whether you're new to the state or just trying to better support your student, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Texas STAAR exam, how to prepare for it, and how to understand the results, especially if your child attends school in Hays County.
Table of contents:
What the Texas STAAR Test is & testing dates
How to prepare for the Texas STAAR math test
How to read the Texas STAAR results
Breakdown of Hays County STAAR results and comparison
Texas STAAR test TEA resources
What is the Texas STAAR Test?
STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. It’s a series of standardized tests used to measure how well students in public schools understand the state curriculum, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). These assessments cover core subjects such as Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
The purpose of the STAAR test is to evaluate student progress and school performance, making it a key tool for both parents and educators. It's also used to assess college and career readiness in older students.
Who Takes the STAAR Test?
STAAR assessments are taken by students in grades 3 through 8, as well as high school students enrolled in specific end-of-course (EOC) subjects. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Grades 3–8: Reading and Math
Grades 4 & 7: Writing (when applicable)
Grades 5 & 8: Science
Grade 8: Social Studies
High School: Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History, English I, and English II
These exams vary slightly depending on the student’s grade level and subject.
When Does the STAAR Test Happen?
STAAR tests are usually administered in spring, with some makeup testing or retesting occurring in summer or fall for students who need additional attempts. Each year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) publishes the official STAAR testing calendar, which can typically be found on your child’s school district website or on TEA’s Test Resources page.
Is the STAAR Test Mandatory?
Yes, STAAR testing is required for all eligible students in Texas public schools. While there are limited exceptions (such as for some students with special education accommodations), most students are expected to participate.
For high school students, passing certain STAAR EOC exams is also required for graduation. Parents can request accommodations or speak with school staff about concerns, but opting out is generally not an approved route under current Texas law.
Preparing for the STAAR Math Test: Tips for Success
While every STAAR subject is important, math is one of the most common areas in which students and parents seek extra help. Over the years, Mathnasium of Kyle has helped 100’s of Hays County students prepare for and exceed score expectations.
How do we do that? Our Instructors lead with a set of Mathnasium-designed workbook pages that focus on specific learning plans created for each individual based on Mathnasium assessments. During each session, students work through their custom learning plan, focusing on the topics that matter most to their specific situation. By filling in gaps in their fundamental math knowledge and adjusting to their learning style, Mathnasium instructors help students build confidence in problem solving, computation, and critical thinking, which are vital to success on the STAAR test.
The Mathnasium of Kyle Center Director consults with parents and students who have concerns about the math STAAR test. We have gathered insight into the type of questions that have been asked on past exams in order to create an accurate and up-to-date learning plan for each student. By doing this, we take the guess work out of it. We know the type of questions that will be asked, and our Instructors can focus sessions on the areas in which each student needs the most support.
We encourage families to be PROACTIVE instead of reactive when it comes to testing. Think of it as prepping for a marathon. You wouldn’t start training for it 2 weeks before, you prep months in advance. We recommend getting your child into Mathnasium at least 6 months before testing season so we can drill down on foundational understandings and best equip them to be ready to take the STAAR math test. Students who see the greatest improvement and success in our program attend year-round, especially through the summer.
The Texas Education Agency does a really great job of offering tips and resources to the public to help students prepare for exams. However, sometimes that info can be hard to find and sift through. No worries, we have done the work for you!
Review Sample STAAR Content
One of the best ways to understand what’s on the test is to review released tests and sample questions provided by the TEA. These examples mirror the format of the actual STAAR test and give students a clear idea of what to expect in terms of question structure and difficulty.
The TEA provides sample test questions for grades 3–8 and high school. Parents and students can access them here. To view the most recent questions, select the '2024' tab, then choose your student’s grade level. A drop-down menu will appear—click on 'Math Test Form' to access the STAAR math test portal.
At Home Practice Tips
One of the most effective ways to help your student prepare at home is by recreating a testing environment similar to what they'll experience on STAAR day. Set a timer to simulate real testing conditions. STAAR tests are designed to be completed within 3–4 hours. If you don't have time to simulate the full testing period, try seeing how many questions your student can complete accurately in a one-hour session.
Keep in mind that after COVID, the TEA removed the time limits for STAAR testing. Previously, students had a 4- or 5-hour maximum, but now they have the entire school day to complete the test if needed. You can find more details about this change here.
Parents can also support their students’ preparation by reviewing missed questions and focusing more on areas where the student struggles, rather than spending time on what they already understand. Build a regular practice routine into the week—if your student typically spends 90 minutes on homework, consider dividing that time and dedicating 45 minutes to STAAR practice.
Last but not least, don’t allow your child to stress, just encourage them to do their best. While it’s important to be prepared, excessive pressure can backfire. Motivate your child to give it their all, but remind them that a test score doesn’t define their worth. Try to:
Get plenty of sleep before test day.
Eat a healthy breakfast.
Provide positive encouragement, not pressure.
2025 Texas STAAR Test Reporting Dates
STAAR testing typically starts in late March or early April and continues through May. In 2025, results are scheduled to be reported from mid-June through July:
June 5th, 2025: Preliminary Results, Algebra 1 EOC
June 12th, 2025: Preliminary Results, Math for Grades 3–8
July 11th, 2025: Final Results, Algebra 1 EOC
July 22nd, 2025: Final Results, Math for Grades 3–8
You can find other important testing and reporting dates on the TEA Testing Calendar.
How to Read the Texas STAAR Test Results
After the tests are completed and scored, parents receive a STAAR Report Card for their student, which outlines performance levels and areas for growth. No matter what grade level your child is in, they will receive a report just like the grade 5 sample report below.
Breaking Down the STAAR Report Card
The STAAR Report Card is usually available a few weeks after testing and includes:
Performance Level:
Did Not Meet Grade Level
Approaches Grade Level
Meets Grade Level
Masters Grade Level
Scale Score: A numerical score that shows where your child falls on the performance spectrum.
Lexile or Quantile Measures: These show how your child performed in reading or math, respectively.
Growth Indicators: For some grades, the report will show academic growth compared to the previous year.
You can access a complete walkthrough of how to understand your child’s Texas STAAR report card here.
How to View STAAR Results Online
Parents can view their child’s results by logging into the Texas Assessment Family Portal. You’ll need your child’s Unique Access Code. If you don’t have it, or have trouble locating the code reach out to your child's school. They will have this information on file and should be able to help you acces it.
The online portal provides additional insights, such as:
Comparison to state averages
Released test questions and answers
Personalized resources based on performance
Breaking Down Hays County STAAR Results
To help local families understand school performance, below is the most recent comprehensive STAAR data from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for schools in Hays County—specifically Buda Elementary, Kyle Elementary, and Cypress Springs Elementary. The results show the percentage of students performing at or above the 'approaches grade level' standard across the state, district, and individual campuses. This data can help families in Hays County gauge how their child's school is performing compared to others within the same county.
Buda Elementary
State - 72%
District - 73%
Campus - 81%
Kyle Elementary
State - 72%
District - 73%
Campus - 73%
Cypress Springs Elementary
State - 72%
District - 90%
Campus - 89%
When we look at the data, both Buda and Kyle Elementary are doing fairly well, with about 72–73% of students meeting state and district expectations for 'approaches grade level' in math. Buda is doing a bit better than Kyle at the campus level, scoring 81% compared to Kyle’s 73%.
What really stands out, though, is how much higher Cypress Springs Elementary is performing. Even though it's in the same county, Cypress Springs scores 17% higher than the other two schools on district standards and leads with 89% at the campus level. This shows that Kyle Elementary—and to a lesser extent, Buda—could benefit from extra math support. For parents looking to give their children a boost, local resources like Mathnasium of Kyle may be a great option to help students build confidence and improve their math skills.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the Texas STAAR test can feel overwhelming, but staying informed is the first step in supporting your child. By knowing what to expect, how to prepare, and how to interpret the results, families can take a more active role in their child's academic journey.
Whether you're in Buda, Kyle, or anywhere else within Hays County, there are resources available at school, online, and in your neighborhood to help your child succeed on the STAAR math test and beyond.
FAQ’s & Additional Resources:
Where can I access STAAR testing practice tests?- Here
How can I see past STAAR results for schools not listed in this report? Here
STAAR testing score chart - Here
STAAR testing login - Texas Assessment Family Portal
(737) 414-5757
