Austin School Districts

Austin ISD is the largest school district in the Austin metro area, enrolling 69,074 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) across the city of Austin. The district is currently facing significant challenges, including declining enrollment and substantial budget shortfalls that have led to the planned closure and consolidation of multiple school campuses. These school closures are a major concern for relocating families, as neighborhoods that previously had walkable elementary schools may see those campuses shut down. Despite these challenges, Austin ISD is home to some of the most prestigious public magnet and specialty schools in Texas, including the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) and the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. The district offers an extraordinarily diverse range of programs including dual-language immersion, Montessori, fine arts academies, and STEM-focused campuses, though quality varies significantly from campus to campus.

Del Valle ISD enrolled 11,811 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the communities southeast of Austin, including Del Valle and portions of southeast Travis County. The district has gained significant attention in recent years due to its proximity to Tesla's Gigafactory Texas and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, both of which are driving economic development and population growth in the area. Academically the district lags: the Texas Education Agency gave Del Valle ISD a D on its official 2025-26 A-F accountability rating, well behind Austin's western and northern suburban districts. The Niche composite grade of B that shows up on listing sites is two letters higher than the state's own number. Del Valle remains an affordable entry point into the Austin metro, but families should read the campus-level report cards at txschools.gov rather than the composite before committing to an address. The influx of new residents and commercial tax revenue from Tesla and related developments is expected to benefit the district's funding and facilities over time.

Dripping Springs ISD enrolled 8,808 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the charming Hill Country community of Dripping Springs, located about 25 miles southwest of downtown Austin. Often called the 'Gateway to the Hill Country,' Dripping Springs ISD is one of the stronger smaller districts in Central Texas, holding a B on the Texas Education Agency's official 2025-26 A-F accountability rating. The A+ that Niche assigns is a composite grade from a different methodology, not a state rating; TEA's scale runs A through F with no plus or minus. The district is known for small-town values combined with high academic standards, and families are drawn to the area for its blend of rural Hill Country living and access to Austin's metropolitan amenities. Dripping Springs High School is highly regarded for both its academic programs and competitive athletic teams.

Eanes ISD is consistently ranked the number one school district in Texas in Niche's composite rankings, including 2026, where it also placed 11th nationally. It enrolled 7,530 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the upscale communities of Westlake Hills, Rollingwood, and parts of West Austin. Its official Texas Education Agency rating for 2025-26 is an A, the highest of any district in this guide alongside Lake Travis ISD. The district is renowned for its flagship Westlake High School, which produces an extraordinary number of National Merit Scholars and sends graduates to the nation's most prestigious universities. Eanes ISD benefits from a highly engaged parent community, strong property tax base, and a culture of academic excellence that permeates every campus from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district offers extensive AP coursework, competitive athletics, and award-winning fine arts programs.

Georgetown ISD enrolled 13,988 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the historic city of Georgetown, located about 30 miles north of downtown Austin in Williamson County. The Texas Education Agency rated the district a B on its official 2025-26 A-F accountability scale, below the A that Niche's composite assigns it, so read the state report card before you buy on reputation alone. Locally the district is known for strong community ties, well-maintained campuses, and supportive learning environments. Georgetown has become one of the most popular relocation destinations in the Austin metro area, particularly for families and retirees, thanks to its charming downtown square, affordability relative to central Austin, and steady residential growth. The district is growing steadily as new residential developments continue to expand the city's footprint, and GISD has invested in new facilities and technology to keep pace with enrollment increases.

Hays CISD enrolled 25,049 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) across a large swath of Hays County south and southwest of Austin, including the rapidly growing communities of Kyle, Buda, and Wimberley. The district has experienced explosive enrollment growth driven by the affordability of housing along the I-35 South corridor compared to central Austin. Hays CISD holds a B on the Texas Education Agency's official 2025-26 A-F rating, and the district has invested significantly in new campus construction to keep up with demand. It shares that B with neighboring Dripping Springs ISD, though Hays is nearly three times the size and its campuses vary more. Hays CISD provides a practical option for families seeking affordable housing with access to Austin's job market and a growing suburban community with improving schools.

Lake Travis ISD enrolled 10,771 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the scenic Hill Country communities west of Austin, including Lakeway, Bee Cave, and surrounding areas along Lake Travis. The district has experienced significant growth in recent years as families are drawn to the combination of highly rated schools, beautiful Hill Country landscapes, and proximity to Austin's job centers. Lake Travis High School is one of the most respected public high schools in Central Texas, known for strong academics, a powerhouse football program, and extensive extracurricular offerings. The district's campuses consistently earn high marks from the Texas Education Agency.

Leander ISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas, enrolling 41,953 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) across the cities of Leander, Cedar Park, and portions of northwest Austin. The district has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence, with multiple high schools ranking among the best in Central Texas. Vandegrift High School, in particular, is frequently recognized as one of the top public high schools in the state. Leander ISD has invested heavily in new campus construction and technology infrastructure to keep pace with the explosive population growth in the Williamson County corridor, and the district offers a range of programs including advanced academics, fine arts, career and technical education, and competitive athletics.

Pflugerville ISD enrolled 25,046 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) in the city of Pflugerville and portions of northeast Austin, offering a diverse suburban school experience in one of the most affordable areas of the Austin metro. The district is known for its cultural and demographic diversity, solid academic programs, and strong career and technical education pathways. While Pflugerville ISD does not carry the same prestige as neighboring Eanes or Round Rock ISD, it provides a dependable public education at a significantly lower cost of entry for homebuyers. The district is consolidating campuses as enrollment settles: on May 14, 2026 the PfISD board voted 7-0 to close Dessau, Parmer Lane and Pflugerville elementary schools and 4-3 to close Windermere Elementary (approved board minutes), and the district dates those closures to the 2027-28 school year.

Round Rock ISD is the largest suburban school district in the Austin metro and one of the larger districts in Texas, enrolling 45,971 students in fall 2025 (TEA, 2025-26 school year) across the cities of Round Rock, portions of Pflugerville, Cedar Park, and north Austin. Only Austin ISD enrolls more students in the metro. The district is recognized for its strong academic performance, diverse student population, and extensive range of programs including STEM academies, dual-language immersion, fine arts, and career and technical education pathways. Westwood High School is consistently ranked among the best public high schools in Texas, attracting families specifically for its rigorous academic environment. Round Rock ISD benefits from the area's booming tech economy, with Dell's Round Rock headquarters and Apple's Parmer Lane campus both inside district boundaries.