If you're moving to Austin, “what are the best school districts” is one of the first things you'll Google. It's also one where a lot of the answers online are out of date, oversimplified, or nudging you toward a particular zip code. Below I'll go over what the 2026 rankings actually say, where the numbers come from, and the one thing almost every buyer gets wrong before they write an offer.
First, who's even doing the ranking?
There isn't one official list. There are three sources buyers lean on, and they measure different things.
TEA A–F Accountability Ratings — the official one. The Texas Education Agency grades every district and campus A through F on student achievement, academic growth, and how well schools close gaps between student groups. After a multi-year court fight that held up the 2023 and 2024 results, TEA finally released both the 2024 and 2025 ratings in August 2025. So the 2025 A–F grades are the most current official data we have. You can look up any district, or a specific campus, for free at TXschools.gov. Statewide, 14% of districts earned an A in 2025 and about 71% landed at B or C. A “B” is genuinely solid here, not a consolation prize.
Niche — the popular one. Niche's 2026 Best School Districts rankings blend state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher data, and millions of parent and student reviews. It's the list most relocation buyers cite. It's useful. Just know the review component makes it part data, part vibe.
GreatSchools — the one on the real estate sites. This is the 1–10 score you see on Zillow and Realtor.com. It leans hard on test scores, so it can undersell a strong school that serves a wider range of learners. Good starting point.
When all three agree, you've got a reliable signal. When they disagree, that's your cue to dig into the specific metrics that matter to your kid.
How the top Austin-area districts compare in 2026
Here's where the major Austin-metro districts landed on the 2025 TEA ratings and Niche's 2026 list. I pulled the numbers that actually tell you something: the state grade, the graduation rate, and what each place is known for.
- Eanes ISD (Westlake) — TEA: A, 94/100. Graduation: ~98%. Niche 2026: A+, ranked #1 in Texas. The perennial top scorer, and priced like it.
- Lake Travis ISD — TEA: A, 90/100. Graduation: ~98%. Niche: A+. Strong across the board, with a big reputation for athletics and college readiness.
- Leander ISD — TEA: B, 88/100. Graduation: ~98%. Niche: A, and #2 in Texas for teachers. All six high schools made the AP School Honor Roll, and it produced a record 44 National Merit Semifinalists.
- Round Rock ISD — TEA: B, 87/100. Graduation: ~97%. One of the metro's largest districts, with deep program variety across a lot of campuses.
- Dripping Springs ISD — TEA: B. Graduation: ~96%. Niche: A. Small, fast-growing, and consistently near the top.
Two caveats. A “B” district isn't a rung below an “A” — statewide, only 14% of districts earned an A in 2025, so a B is genuinely strong. And a single district grade hides real campus-to-campus differences, which is exactly why the next part matters more than any number on this list. Confirm the current grade for any district yourself at TXschools.gov.
Then there's Austin ISD. It's huge, and it varies a lot campus to campus — nationally recognized magnet programs sitting alongside schools still climbing — so the district-level grade tells you almost nothing about a specific address. And keep an eye on the fast-growing edges of the metro: Hays, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Manor, and Bastrop are building schools quickly, which matters if you're buying new construction.
The mistake buyers make
They shop the district. They should shop the address.
A district is a collection of campuses, and inside one district your assigned elementary, middle, and high school can perform very differently. Two houses on the same street can feed different schools. A district's A rating means nothing if the campus your address is actually zoned to isn't the one you were picturing.
So before you fall for a house:
- Take the exact address and find its assigned campuses (the district's attendance-boundary lookup, or I'll run it for you).
- Look up that campus, not just the district, on TXschools.gov and Niche.
- Confirm the boundaries haven't been redrawn. Fast-growing districts rezone often as new schools open.
- If it matters to you, go tour the campus. A rating won't tell you about culture, commute, or whether your kid will be happy walking in the door.
Decide what “best” means for you
“Best” is personal. The district that's #1 for AP rigor might be the wrong fit if what you actually need is strong special-education services, a specific dual-language program, a serious arts or athletics pipeline, or a shorter morning drive. Figure out your two or three non-negotiables first. Then let the numbers narrow the field. They don't make the decision for you.
Austin school districts: quick answers
What's the #1 rated school district in the Austin area?
Eanes ISD. On Niche's 2026 list it's ranked #1 in Texas, and it held its A rating from the state in 2025. Lake Travis ISD is right behind it with an A.
What counts as a good TEA rating?
An A or a B. Statewide in 2025, only 14% of districts earned an A and about 71% landed at B or C, so a B district is genuinely strong, not a backup option.
How do I find which schools a specific home is zoned to?
Use the district's attendance-boundary lookup, then check that exact campus on TXschools.gov. Two homes on the same street can feed different schools, so always verify the address, not just the district. Send me an address and I'll run it for you.
Do school ratings affect Austin home values?
They can shape demand in some areas, but it's one factor among many, and I don't suggest buying on ratings alone. I'll hand you the data and let you weigh it against price, commute, and everything else on your list.
Are the “B”-rated districts worth a look?
Absolutely. A B reflects strong overall performance, and big B districts like Leander and Round Rock have nationally recognized programs and graduation rates in the high 90s. The grade also hides standout individual campuses.
What about magnet, charter, or private schools?
Austin has strong magnet programs (especially inside Austin ISD), a range of public charters, and private schools across the metro. If any of those are on your radar, weigh them alongside the zoned public school when you compare homes.
A note on fair housing, and how I work
As a licensed Texas Realtor, I'm bound by fair housing law. That means I don't tell buyers which neighborhoods or schools are “good” or “right” for them, and I don't steer anyone toward or away from an area. You set the priorities. I bring you accurate, objective data and help you act on it. I'll gladly pull current ratings, run attendance-boundary lookups for any address you're weighing, and show you homes in every district that fits your search.
If you're relocating and want help lining up neighborhoods against the data, start with my Relocation Guide and the School Info resources, browse areas over in Discover Austin, and when you're ready to look at specific addresses, let's talk!
Sources: Texas Education Agency 2025 A–F Accountability Ratings (released August 2025, via TXschools.gov and Community Impact); Niche 2026 Best School Districts; GreatSchools. Ratings change annually — verify current figures at TXschools.gov before making decisions. This post is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation of any neighborhood or school.
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