What is the number one rated school district in Austin?
Eanes ISD. It ranks first in Texas and seventh nationally on Niche’s 2026 list and holds an A rating from the Texas Education Agency.
The best school districts in Austin, TX are Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Dripping Springs ISD, with Eanes ranked number one in Texas and number seven nationally on Niche’s 2026 list. Austin ISD serves the largest student population and contains several excellent campuses. Which district fits your family depends far more on budget, commute, and program needs than on any single ranking.
Choosing a district in the Austin metro is really a housing decision. Attendance zones set home prices, and the difference between an Eanes address and a Round Rock address can exceed a million dollars for comparable square footage. Families relocating here usually shortlist two or three districts, then search inside those boundaries.
Austin Area School Districts Compared
| District | TEA Rating | Graduation Rate | Median Home Price | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eanes ISD | A, 94/100 | About 98% | $1.8M to $2.9M | West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Barton Creek |
| Lake Travis ISD | A, 90/100 | About 98% | Around $680K | Lakeway, Bee Cave |
| Leander ISD | B, 88/100 | About 98% | Around $390K | Leander, Cedar Park, Steiner Ranch |
| Round Rock ISD | B, 87/100 | About 97% | Around $415K | Round Rock, North Austin, Avery Ranch |
| Dripping Springs ISD | B | About 96% | Varies | Dripping Springs, western Hays County |
| Austin ISD | 6/10 GreatSchools | Varies by campus | Wide range | Central and East Austin, 120 schools |
Eanes ISD
Eanes is the top-rated district in the Austin metro and has held the number one spot in Texas on Niche’s rankings for years. In 2026, it sits at number seven nationally. The district serves roughly 8,100 students across West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Lost Creek, Rob Roy, and Davenport Ranch.
Westlake High School, the district’s only high school, ranks first among Texas public high schools and in the top 20 nationally. Both middle schools, West Ridge and Hill Country, rank in the top three statewide. All six elementary campuses land in the state’s top 20. Average SAT scores run near 1,275 to 1,310, well above the state average, and the student-to-teacher ratio sits around 14 to 1.
The trade-off is price. Eanes zoned homes in Westlake and Rollingwood carry median values between $1.8 million and $2.9 million. The district property tax rate is comparatively low at $0.8322 per $100 valuation, which softens the carrying cost slightly.
Lake Travis ISD
Lake Travis ISD serves Lakeway, Bee Cave, and the Hill Country corridor west of the city. It holds an A rating from the Texas Education Agency and a 9 out of 10 Niche score, with a graduation rate near 98 percent and 64 percent of students rated college-ready.
Elementary campuses across Lakeway and Bee Cave rate 8 to 9 out of 10 consistently. Median home prices near $680,000 place it between Eanes luxury pricing and the northern suburbs. The district property tax rate is $1.0397 per $100 valuation.
The cost here is distance. Commutes to Downtown Austin and The Domain are longer, which matters for households with in-office requirements and matters much less for remote workers.
Leander ISD
Leander ISD covers Leander, much of Cedar Park, and Steiner Ranch. It earned a B from TEA at 88 out of 100, an A from Niche, and ranks second in Texas for teachers. All six high schools made the AP School Honor Roll, and the district produced a record 44 National Merit Semifinalists.
Vandegrift High School is frequently cited as one of the most well-rounded campuses in the metro outside Eanes. At a median home price near $390,000, Leander ISD offers among the strongest value-per-school-quality ratios in the entire Austin area.
Round Rock ISD
Round Rock ISD is one of the largest districts in the metro, serving more than 50,000 students across 50-plus campuses. It carries a B rating at 87 out of 100 with a graduation rate near 97 percent and a median home price around $415,000.
Scale is the defining feature. Program variety is deep, covering STEM pathways, Advanced Placement, athletics, and fine arts across many campuses. Westwood Elementary rates 9 out of 10. Round Rock ISD zoning adds a measurable premium over non-RRISD addresses in the same city.
Austin ISD
Austin ISD is the largest district in the area, serving more than 75,000 students across 120 schools with an overall 6 out of 10 GreatSchools rating. The district average understates the strongest campuses considerably.
Standout Austin ISD zones include Casis Elementary in Tarrytown, Highland Park Elementary, Doss and Murchison in Northwest Hills, and Oak Hill Elementary feeding O. Henry Middle and Austin High. Highland Park sits west of MoPac but is zoned for Austin ISD rather than Eanes, which often makes it more affordable than neighboring Westlake addresses while keeping strong campus performance. For Austin ISD, campus-level research matters far more than district-level ratings.
How to Research a District Before You Buy or Lease
- Verify the exact campus, not just the district. Look up the specific elementary, middle, and high schools on TXschools.gov and Niche.
- Confirm boundaries have not been redrawn. Fast-growing districts like Leander and Round Rock rezone regularly as new campuses open.
- Check the property tax rate. Rates vary meaningfully between districts and change your monthly payment.
- Define two or three non-negotiables first. Special education services, dual language programs, arts pipelines, and commute length each point toward different districts.
Moving Into Your Austin School Zone
Once you’ve chosen the right school district, the moving process should be the easy part. Evolution Moving Company provides reliable residential and commercial moving services throughout Austin, TX, and nearby communities. Our experienced movers, transparent pricing, and commitment to quality service help make your relocation smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation moving quote.