The 12 Best Austin School Districts for 2023: Reviews and Ratings

Finding a neighborhood with high-quality educational possibilities is a major consideration for families moving to a new city. A relocation to Austin is no exception. If you're relocating with children, discovering the top school districts in Austin should be high on your priority list.

To make this list, we’ve taken the time to analyze the individual ratings of each school within each district from both Niche and Great Schools to come up with an aggregate rating. Using this rating we ranked the school districts. Below you will find the best schools within the various top school districts in the Austin area.

1. Eanes Independent School District

At the top of our list is Eanes Independent School District. It is rated the best school district in Texas by Niche and serves the communities of Westlake Hills, Rollingwood, Seven Oaks, and Davenport.

Home to Westlake High School, one of the best schools in Texas, the district is committed to seeing all of its students succeed. The district uses a “WHEEL” method of education. WHEEL stands for Well-rounded person, Healthy individual, Effective communicator, Engaged citizen, and Lifelong learner. To this end, the district makes sure that every student has access to arts and humanities.

For students and parents interested in pursuing advanced academic endeavors, the district not only offers its children gifted and talented programs but also offers access to accelerated math, credit-by-exam courses, and AP placement classes.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Westlake Hills, Rollingwood, Seven Oaks, Davenport

What Parents and Students Are Saying: “The academics are rigorous and challenging. Teachers are accessible to the students for tutoring or outside help. The campus is always warm and inviting, and the athletics here are a perennial powerhouse!” (Source: Greatschools)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.8 out of 5

Top Schools in Eanes Independent School District

Westlake High School: Outstanding course catalog and AP teachers

West Ridge Middle School: Great kids-helping-kids program/elective

Forest Trail Elementary School: Great teachers, administrators, and support systems for students in all applicable grades

2. Leander Independent School District

While Leander Independent School District serves over 40,000 students, it still maintains a relatively low 15 to 1 student-teacher ratio. This dedication to small class sizes has helped the area to better meet its motto’s goal of leading its students to a bright future.

There are 44 different schools in the Leander district and most of them are highly rated like Vandegrift High School, Canyon Ridge Middle School, and Laura Welch Bush Elementary School. Schools like these allow students to benefit from a variety of educational and extracurricular activities including robotics clubs, advanced programs, and AP coursework.

For students and parents interested in athletic achievements, Leader ISD offers a number of sports for its students including an award-winning golf team, a cheer program, and football. The district also offers summer sports camps to students wishing to improve their strength and conditioning over the summer break.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Northwest Austin, Leander, Georgetown, Jonestown, Round Rock

What Parents Are Saying: “My daughter is about to graduate [from] GHS. It is new, huge, very cozy, and clean. Teachers are very good.” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.75 out of 5

Top Schools in Leander Independent School District

Vandegrift High School: Excellent high-quality school in a beautiful setting

Canyon Ridge Middle School: The school is great with an excellent band program

Rutledge Elementary School: Effectively supports students with learning differences through the ICAP program

3. Dripping Springs Independent School District

With a 15 to 1 student-teacher ratio, Dripping Springs Independent School District is a top-rated school district committed to ensuring the success of all its students. The district has a strong athletics program. Most recently, the Girl’s Cross Country Track Team placed fourth in the state at the Texas State Championships.

As far as academics are concerned, the district has a strong STEM program with lots of extracurricular opportunities in subjects like robotics and science. Students of the high school can participate in not only AP and Pre-AP program courses but can also choose accelerated academics and dual enrollment or dual credit programs taught by both Austin Community College and University of Texas instructors.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Dripping Springs, Bear Creek, Driftwood

What Parents and Students Are Saying: “Teachers are willing to help students be successful. The teachers are very good and always provide a friendly classroom environment. There are a lot of class options available such as regular, pre-ap, AP, GT, ACC, and UT On-Ramps. There are various electives available in every subject.” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.6 out of 5

Top Schools in Dripping Springs Independent School District

Dripping Springs High School: Absolutely beautiful facilities and college readiness starts being encouraged in 8th grade.

Sycamore Springs Middle School: Focuses on developing strong character in students, like integrity, compassion and respect

Dripping Springs Elementary School: The teachers are amazing and help inspire the students

4. Lake Travis Independent School District

Lake Travis Independent School District wants its students to “learn together and lead together.” Recently, the school district received 72 different grants totaling $251,000 to help improve its offerings to students.

The district is committed to college and career readiness and has designed programming to equip all of its students to become college, career, and life ready. To achieve these goals schools in the district offer activities like mathletes, orchestra, and one of the best athletic programs available to Austin area athletes.

The school district works hard to support all of its students, from its quality gifted and talented program to its understanding and dedicated staff of special education teachers. Whatever your child needs, Lake Travis ISD works to provide the programs they need to thrive.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Bee Cave, Briarcliff, Lakeway, The Hills

What Parents and Students Are Saying: “Our children have attended LTISD schools since kindergarten and are now at LTHS and continue to have a good experience.” (Source: GreatSchools)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.55 out of 5

Top Schools in Lake Travis Independent School District

Lake Travis High School: Great school with a fantastic sports program

Hudson Bend Middle School: Offers tutorials and special education classes for slower learners

Serene Hills Elementary School: The teachers are excellent and differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of EVERY child in the class

5. Round Rock Independent School District

There are 57 schools in the Round Rock Independent School District. It stays true to its motto, “inspiring students to learn; empowering students for life” by offering them small class sizes and a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow with athletics and educational instruction.

Students attending schools in the Round Rock district have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals at any number of the highly esteemed schools including, but not limited to, Westwood High School, Round Rock High School, and James Garland Walsh Middle School. The district even offers students multi-linguistic and integrated technology options to better meet their learning needs.

For student-athletes, the district is home to a variety of sports including the Westwood tennis team and Round Rock’s boys cross country track team. In the summer months, many of the schools offer sports camps to help students stay fit, healthy, and competitive during the long summer months.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Round Rock, parts of Austin, Cedar Park

What Parents Are Saying: “The Round Rock Independent School District is improving as the years go on. The school district takes great pride in their prepping for state tests, any extracurricular activities, and their school environments!” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.5 out of 5

Top Schools in Round Rock Independent School District

Westwood High School: Team and club activities are plentiful and rewarding addition to the bookwork

James Garland Walsh Middle School: The extracurricular activities and elective programs at Walsh are beyond amazing

Elsa England Elementary School: Nice infrastructure and motivated staff

6. NYOS Charter School

NYOS Charter School (Not Your Ordinary School) is a tuition-free public charter school formed in 1998 by a group of parents who wanted more for their children's education. Over the years, NYOS Charter School has grown to serve over 1,400 children in PreK through 12th grade thanks to unwavering dedication by both the students and staff of the school district.

With a mission to provide solid education through demanding academics, creative methodologies, and civic participation standards, NYOS Charter School boasts academic successes which has seen it ranked as the third-best school district in Travis County.

Aside from its inclusive curriculum, NYOS Charter School's commitment to fostering an atmosphere that promotes academic accomplishment for all students is one of its many upsides. Students progress in academic knowledge and skills while also learning important life skills such as organization, time management, dispute resolution, adaptability, communication, and advocacy.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: North Lamar, Windsor Hills, Highland, North Austin

What Parents Are Saying: “The teachers at NYOS have more "freedom" in teaching their methodology which gives them the ability to use their strengths to be able to help students with their unique needs in learning.” (Source: GreatSchools)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.4 out of 5

Top Schools in NYOS Charter School District

NYOS Charter High School: The school is vested in fostering global service and civic engagement. Students in all grade levels participate in service projects that make the world a better place.

NYOS Charter Middle School: Students at NYOS are nice to others and have this family-like respect for each other.

NYOS Charter Elementary School: All of the teachers at this school encourage each kid to do their best and help struggling kids.

7. Austin Independent School District

Although the Austin Independent School District is the educational hub for nearly 80,000 students, it still maintains small class sizes and boasts a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio.

The school district is home to the best public school in all of Texas, the Liberal Arts & Sciences Academy. But many of the schools in the district are also highly rated and will provide students with ample opportunities for educational and athletic opportunities for educational and athletic advancement.

The Austin ISD athletics program is top-notch and works hard to instill respect, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship, key skills necessary to their lives beyond the field. With 22 university interscholastic athletic activities at 31 different schools, every student has an opportunity to shine.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Most of Austin

What Parents Are Saying: “The classes are amazing and once you get through the basic courses you can explore Quantum Mechanics in Modern Physics or prepare for a pre-med degree in Anatomy and Pathophysiology.” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.35 out of 5

Top Schools in Austin Independent School District

Lasa High School: Lots of award-winning academic teams and all sorts of clubs to join

Gorzycki Middle School: A great school with an exceptional fine arts program, accelerated math classes, and challenging pre-AP core classes

Clayton Elementary School: Boast a robust set of core values which has translated to an exceptional learning environment and community atmosphere.

8. Pflugerville Independent School District

With 31 schools and over 25,000 students, Pflugerville Independent School District is next on our list. The school system is highly rated and is one of the best school districts in Travis County according to Niche.

Students of the Pflugerville district have ample educational opportunities and can attend highly-rated schools like Murchison Elementary, Kelly Lane Middle, and Hendrickson High. At these schools, students have the option of participating in education-enriching programs like the United States Marine Corps Junior ROTC, the marching band, and a host of clubs and organizations including the Dungeons and Dragons club.

The district offers students a wide variety of athletic and academic opportunities for success including Advanced Placement courses, Dual Credit programs, and advanced academic coursework for students looking for an intensive learning challenge.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Pflugerville, parts of Austin, Coupland, Hutto, Manor, Round Rock

What Parents Are Saying: “This district has amazing schools with lots of diversity, amazing teachers, and a prime learning environment. I always felt safe while going here and the newer additions to the district were really good about starting new traditions and creating their own culture.” (Source: GreatSchools)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.25 out of 5

Top Schools in Pflugerville Independent School District

Hendrickson High School: The school is very diverse and has a good vibe. The Principal is nice and cares about kids doing well in school.

Kelly Lane Middle School: Free tutoring classes by teachers before or after school to help in any way they can.

Rowe Lane Elementary School: The teachers and school often provide students with innovative learning experiences.

9. Liberty Hill Independent School District

Every campus in the Liberty Hill Independent School District has been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League for its efforts at stopping hate. The district serves the more than 4,000 students living in Liberty Hill, Texas with its seven different schools.

Schools in the district are dedicated to enriching the lives of their students by offering them a varied educational program complete with AP classes, gifted and talented programs, fine arts, and extracurricular activities like a robotics team. Its team of passionate educators works hard to offer all its students opportunities to learn and grow.

Athletics are also a passion for the Liberty Hill ISD. They offer students a wide variety of athletic programs including football, basketball, golf, and powerlifting.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Liberty Hill

What Parents Are Saying: “The teachers really seem to love the children and what they do & they share a sense of pride in the opportunity to teach these children using resources that provide new ways of learning and a more open-minded way of teaching.” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.2 out of 5

Top Schools in Liberty Hill Independent School District

Liberty Hill High School: Strong leadership structure

Liberty Hill Junior School: Zero tolerance for bullying, and students are held accountable.

Rancho Sienna Elementary School: Lots of cutting-edge resources and eager to utilize new methods of teaching

10. Wimberley Independent School District

With a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio, Wimberley Independent School District really embodies, “strength, innovation, and excellence.” To further meet the high goals of its motto, the school makes sure to meet the needs of all its students with dedicated teachers and educators in not only accelerated programs but also special education services.

The school system offers its students many opportunities to excel in the classroom with AP coursework, dual credit programs, gifted and talented programs, and the arts. Arts programs include band, theater, costume design, and studio arts, to name a few.

For athletes, the district offers a variety of sports programs to help foster cooperation, fitness, and community spirit. Students can go out for all the traditional sports including cheer, golf, football, and basketball.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Wimberley

What Parents Are Saying: “I've attended both Danforth Junior High School and Wimberley High School and my time as part of this district has been nothing short of valuable! I feel that being a part of the schools has shaped me as a person and I've always felt accepted and truly had a great time in school, in both classes and extracurricular activities.” (Source: Niche)

Our Rating of the School District: 4.0 out of 5

Top Schools in Wimberley Independent School District

Wimberley High School: The Career and Technical Education Department is one of the best in the State.

Danforth Junior School: Amazing teacher-to-parent communication!

Jacob’s Well Elementary School: School admin are friendly and helpful.

11. Lago Vista Independent School District

Serving the Lago Vista community is the Lago Vista Independent School District. With nearly 2000 students spread across four different schools, the district works hard to embrace excellence in everything that they do.

They offer their student-athletes enhanced opportunities to shine with their highly regarded sports programs. Their cheer program recently took first place in the UCA North Texas regional cheer competition. Furthermore, they are home to not only an award-winning cross-country team but also a championship-winning football team.

While educational opportunities abound for both middle school and elementary school students, high school students in Lago Vista can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations that help to further enhance their educational opportunities.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Lago Vista

What Parents Are Saying: “I can tell you that this school is full of people who love kids and want to do the right thing. The teachers work hard and do whatever it takes for kids to succeed. My graduate wouldn't have made it without the team of teachers and admin that pulled her through. They really care.” (Source: GreatSchools)

Our Rating of the School District: 3.85 out of 5

Top Schools in Lago Vista Independent School District

Lago Vista High School: Boast of solid academic programs that help kids prepare for college years, both socially and academically.

Lago Vista Middle School: Highly focused on education and absolute professional integrity.

Lago Vista Elementary School: The school is very well kept, with nice grounds and cheerful use of space.

12. Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas

Harmony Public Schools - (HPS) is a rapidly growing charter school district serving the Central Texas area since 2002. As a part of the Harmony Public School System, HPS - Central Texas has a unique focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education that has earned it national recognition.

Currently, the district operates over seven campuses throughout the Central Texas area with around 4,304 students and serves a diverse student population. HPS- Central Texas is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education through rigorous academics, innovative technology, and student-focused instruction.

Through a combination of a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on learning, and a culture of respect, HPS- Central Texas prepares its students for success in higher education and beyond. Thanks to its excellent school clubs and extracurricular activities, students within the school district have the opportunity to explore their interests and reach their full potential.

Area of Town/Neighborhood: Cedar Park and Pflugerville

What Parents Are Saying: “It's an amazing school. Teachers are highly committed to kids' development and progress. My kids and I feel incredibly happy for being part of the Harmony Family.” (Source: GreatSchools)

Our Rating of the School District: 3.75 out of 5

Top Schools in Harmony Public School District

Harmony Science Academy: Very safe school. Plus, the staff members care and are attentive to the education of their students.

Harmony Science Academy: Nice programs for middle schoolers like Science Olympiad, Science Fair, AMC, and many STEM-based projects.

Harmony School of Endeavor: Teachers and staff are very patient, kind, caring, loving, and very easy to communicate with.

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