Top School Districts in the Austin Area
The laundry list of priorities to consider when looking for and buying a house can be long and detailed, from its proximity to great restaurants and nightlife to the size of the backyard or number of bedrooms. It’s easy to be conscious of cosmetic and short-term details, but there are other factors you should think about if you want to make the best choice for you and your family. One often overlooked aspect of the home-buying process is what school district the house is in. The location of your home in relation to public schools could have a significant impact on your child’s friends, education, and future.
Even if you don’t plan on having kids anytime soon or at all, buying a home in an excellent school district can put you in a better position to sell your home in the future. That’s because homes in good school districts typically hold their value better than homes in inferior districts. Fortunately for homebuyers, Austin has some excellent and highly-rated schools all over the city. Let’s take a look at some of the best ones so you can make a more informed purchasing decision.
Eanes ISD
Not only is Eanes ISD considered one of the top districts in the Austin area but it’s regarded as the second best school district in the entire state of Texas. Located west of Austin in the beauty of the Hill Country, Eanes ISD spans 31.2 square miles including parts of West Austin, Rollingwood, and West Lakes Hills. With almost 8,000 students across nine schools, Eanes ISD is considered one of the best in the Austin area. It has a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio and stellar test scores with 96 percent of students proficient in math and 97 percent proficient in reading. Along with six elementary schools and two middle schools, Eanes ISD is home to Westlake High School that boasts a 96 percent graduation rate and a 1340 average SAT score.
Eanes ISD isn’t just an excellent district for students and parents but teachers as well. If you or your partner are educators, Eanes ISD ranks third on the list of districts with best teachers in Texas and sixth on the list of best places to teach in the state.
Lake Travis ISD
Like Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD finds itself on the top ten list of best school districts in Texas coming in at No. 9. Located in Southwest Austin and Northwest Austin, Lake Travis ISD has 8,200 students across nine campuses and is located near the iconic and always beautiful Lake Travis. Thanks to its 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio, aggressive class schedule, and an array of course options, 92 percent of Lake Travis ISD students are proficient in math and reading. Hundreds of graduating students attend some of the best universities in the state including The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Rice University.
Students are also given the opportunity to pick an Institute of Study and spend time engaging and studying specific subjects to prepare themselves for the future. This includes Science and Medicine, Veterinary and Agricultural Science, Math, Engineering and Architecture, Business, Finance and Marketing, Humanities, Technology and Communications, and Fine Arts. Lake Travis High School is are also one of 30 schools in the country that offers High School of Business programs to educate and nurture students interested in an MBA. Along with talented and caring teachers, Lake Travis ISD alumni praise the campuses and the opportunities that they have been afforded due to their fantastic education.
Leander ISD
While the majority of this district lies in Williamson County, a small portion of the No. 17 school district in Texas sits in Northwest Travis County. With 42 campuses and over 38,000 students, Leander is one of the most popular and fastest growing districts in the area. With a 95 percent graduation rate, Leander prides itself on continuingly improving its curriculum, encouraging parent and community involvement at all schools, and preparing students to be successful and compassionate people in the real world.
Along with a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio and impressive test scores in math and reading, Leander fares better than the other two districts in terms of diversity, having students across a wide range of ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students in Leander ISD will attend either Vandegrift, Cedar Park, Vista Ridge, Leander, Rouse or New Hope High School.
Austin ISD
Sprawling across all of the greater Austin areas, Austin ISD is the largest school district in Austin with 84,564 students attending 81 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, and 21 high schools. With a student-to-teacher ratio well below the state average, three-quarters of all AISD students are proficient in math and reading.
Along with traditional high schools, AISD also has an elite, public, magnet school. The Liberal Arts and Science Academy is the top public high school in Texas as well as the No. 1 public high school for teachers and No. 1 college prep public high school with 99 percent of all students proficient in math and reading.
Honorable Mentions
While the city of Austin has a number of great choices for public school districts, the surrounding area is also flush with highly-rated districts. Some of those districts outside Austin include:
- Dripping Springs ISD (No. 53 district in Texas)
- Round Rock ISD (No. 204 district in Texas)
- Georgetown ISD (No. 352 district in Texas)
- Pflugerville ISD (No. 386 district in Texas)
At Domain Realty, our realtors have experience finding homes for young families or for couples looking to start a family. We know how important quality school districts are for a child’s future and promise to find you a home in a district you love. To talk with a Domain Realty agent, contact us today at (512) 872-4211 and take the first step in finding your dream home in the perfect school district.