Best Schools in Austin, Texas
339 schools · 202 Elementary · 43 Middle · 61 High · 33 Other
Choosing a school in Austin?
Use this page to compare every school in Austin by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
West Ridge Middle
Middle · Eanes ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hill Country Middle
Middle · Eanes ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Laura Welch Bush EL
Elementary · Leander ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Austin for 2026 are West Ridge Middle (9.5/10), Hill Country Middle (9.4/10), and Laura Welch Bush EL (9.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
339
255 public · 84 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$615,302
home value · ACS
Districts
30
serving the city
Schools
339
255 public · 84 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$615,302
home value · ACS
Districts
30
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 90% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 4.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Austin schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +19.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Austin schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Austin
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 339). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ridge Middle | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Hill Country Middle | 9.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Laura Welch Bush EL | 9.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Canyon Creek EL | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Barton Hills EL | 9.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Mills EL | 9.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Clayton EL | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Bear Creek EL | 9.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Cedar Creek EL | 9.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Eanes EL | 9.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $112,609
- Median home value
- $615,302
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
37% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Austin compares
Texas rank
#442 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Texas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$113k
152% of Texas median
Schools in this city
298
Education Snapshot
Austin, TexasAustin's education landscape spans 339 schools across 30 districts, serving approximately 168,955 students. The city is elementary-heavy: 202 elementary campuses anchor the pipeline alongside 61 high schools and 43 middle schools. With 67 charter schools citywide, families have alternatives to traditional district zoning at every level. The average MySchoolScout composite rating is 6.0/10 across 298 scored schools, running 0.3 points below the Texas state average of 6.3/10 — a gap that parents should weigh carefully. That below-average position contrasts with Austin's household income profile: a median of $107,542 sits 35% above the Texas median of $79,932, and 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. City-level affluence and educational attainment don't guarantee above-average school ratings, so parents should evaluate individual school scores rather than assuming those demographic advantages translate uniformly across all campuses.
About Schools in Austin, Texas
Austin's public school landscape is one of the largest in Texas, with 238 ranked schools spanning a wide performance range. The citywide average sits at 5.7 out of 10 — a useful anchor, but the spread matters more than the mean. Roughly 25% of Austin's public schools, 59 in total, score 7 or higher, giving families meaningful options if they're willing to research by zone, apply to magnet programs, or consider charter alternatives.
At the top end, KIPP Austin Collegiate leads the city with a 9.2 out of 10 — the highest score among ranked Austin schools. It's a charter high school, so enrollment isn't tied to address. LASA High School (9.0) and Westlake High School (8.9) round out the top tier for secondary options; LASA is Austin ISD's selective liberal arts and science academy, while Westlake sits in the Eanes ISD boundary west of the city. On the elementary side, Gullett Elementary (9.2) and Eanes Elementary (8.8), both in the Eanes ISD, match the highest scores in the city.
That Eanes ISD cluster is worth noting. Several of the city's top-rated elementary and high schools fall within it, covering the affluent west Austin and West Lake Hills corridors. Families in those attendance zones get consistent performance across grade levels. Inside Austin ISD proper — the much larger district serving central and eastern Austin — scores are more variable. Strong magnets and charters like LASA and KIPP Collegiate anchor the upper end, but many neighborhood schools sit below the city average.
For parents doing comparisons, the 5.7 average gives you a quick filter: schools above it are outperforming the city median; schools in the 7-plus tier are among the top quarter citywide. Austin's size means the distance between the highest- and lowest-scoring schools is large. The most useful research move is checking which district and attendance zone a specific address falls into, then looking at whether any citywide magnets or open-enrollment charters serve that grade level.
Elementary Schools
202 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 503 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 349 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 3 | 304 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 4 | 744 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 5 | 675 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 6 | 582 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 7 | 517 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 8 | 551 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 9 | 546 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 10 | 917 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
Show all 202 elementary schools in Austin
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
43 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 899 students · 6th–8th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 968 students · 6th–9th | 9.4 |
| 3 | 1,337 students · 6th–8th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 1,337 students · 6th–8th | 8.7 |
| 5 | 862 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 |
| 6 | 1,247 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 7 | 1,050 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 8 | 298 students · 6th–10th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 608 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 10 | 1,100 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
Show all 43 middle schools in Austin
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
61 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,811 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 1,518 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 2,522 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 4 | 2,792 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 2,899 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 1,861 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 7 | 786 students · 6th–12th | 7.6 |
| 8 | 36 students · 6th–12th | 7.4 |
| 9 | 2,167 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 10 | 907 students · 6th–12th | 7.4 |
Show all 61 high schools in Austin
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
33 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 360 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 148 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 961 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.6 |
| 4 | 827 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.3 |
| 5 | 996 students · Kindergarten–11th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 56 students · 3rd–12th | 4.9 |
| 7 | 253 students · 3rd–12th | 4.5 |
| 8 | 487 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.2 |
| 9 | 210 students · 9th–10th | 4.1 |
| 10 | 168 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.3 |
Show all 33 other schools in Austin
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Austin
Austin, Texas · 339 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 41 ZIP codes
Median Income
$112,609
Median Home Value
$615,302
Median Rent
$1,833/mo
Population
1,251,628
College Educated
62%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
Austin has a median household income of $112,609. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $615,302, with a median rent of $1,833/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 202
- Middle
- 43
- High
- 61
- Other
- 33
School Districts (30)
TEXANS CAN ACADEMIES
13 schools · 3,608 students
WAYSIDE SCHOOLS
4 schools · 1,759 students
NYOS CHARTER SCHOOL
2 schools · 1,727 students
CHAPARRAL STAR ACADEMY
1 school · 360 students
TEXAS EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY
2 schools · 431 students
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS UNIVERSITY CHARTER SCHOOL
18 schools · 509 students
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
123 schools · 76,819 students
CEDARS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
2 schools · 461 students
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - CENTRAL TEXAS
7 schools · 4,509 students
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 292 students
TEXAS SCH FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
1 school · 123 students
TEXAS SCH FOR THE DEAF
1 school · 487 students
TRINITY CHARTER SCHOOL
9 schools · 326 students
KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
56 schools · 34,111 students
AUSTIN DISCOVERY SCHOOL
1 school · 261 students
VALERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
4 schools · 963 students
AUSTIN ACHIEVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
5 schools · 2,647 students
BASIS TEXAS
14 schools · 6,266 students
MONTESSORI FOR ALL
1 school · 478 students
THE EXCEL CENTER (FOR ADULTS)
5 schools · 1,017 students
VALOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
5 schools · 3,159 students
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN H S
2 schools · 788 students
AUSTIN ISD
123 schools · 72,830 students
DEL VALLE ISD
15 schools · 11,287 students
EANES ISD
10 schools · 7,738 students
LAKE TRAVIS ISD
11 schools · 11,272 students
LEANDER ISD
52 schools · 42,593 students
MANOR ISD
16 schools · 9,658 students
PFLUGERVILLE ISD
35 schools · 25,297 students
ROUND ROCK ISD
60 schools · 46,197 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Austin, Texas
How many schools are in Austin, Texas?
Austin has 339 schools, including 255 public and 84 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Austin, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Austin is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Austin, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Austin on MySchoolScout is West Ridge Middle with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Austin, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Austin on MySchoolScout is Laura Welch Bush EL with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Austin, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Austin on MySchoolScout is West Ridge Middle with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best high school in Austin, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Austin on MySchoolScout is Westlake H S with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Austin, Texas?
Austin is served by 30 school districts: Texans Can Academies, Wayside Schools, Nyos Charter School, Chaparral Star Academy, Texas Empowerment Academy, University of Texas University Charter School, Idea Public Schools, Cedars International Academy, Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, University of Texas Elementary Charter School, Texas Sch for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Texas Sch for the Deaf, Trinity Charter School, Kipp Texas Public Schools, Austin Discovery School, Valere Public Schools, Austin Achieve Public Schools, Basis Texas, Montessori for All, The Excel Center (for Adults), Valor Public Schools, University of Texas at Austin H S, Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD, Manor ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Round Rock ISD.
What is the education level in Austin, Texas?
According to Census data, 62% of adults in Austin have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Austin, Texas?
The median household income in Austin is approximately $112,609 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Austin, Texas?
Yes, Austin has 84 private schools alongside 255 public schools. The top-rated private school is International School of Texas with a score of 8.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Austin, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Austin is 12.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Austin, Texas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.