Austin is home to some of the most celebrated education institutions in the United States, with three of the top ten high schools in the nation, including the number one spot. Austin is also home to outstanding universities, both public and private, including The University of Texas at Austin, which ranks 33rd in the world as of 2021. Giving you a plethora of options to provide your children with phenomenal educational opportunities, Austin also has incredible accommodations for child care, special needs, and higher education
Central Austin
Austin ISD serves the entirety of the city of Austin, as well as surrounding communities such as Cedar Valley, Barton Creek, Sunset Valley, Bluff Springs, and Manchaca. AISD is also the 5th largest school district in Texas, with 125 total schools, including elementary, middle, high, early college, academy, magnet, alternative, and community schools. SAT scores in AISD exceed the state average, and ACT scores exceed both the state and national average.
There are a grand total of 84 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District, with 18 scoring an average of 80 or higher on standardized testing. Additionally, 24 of AISD’s elementary schools rank in the top quarter of all elementary schools in Texas.
Austin ISD has 19 middle schools. Notable schools include Gorzycki Middle, Kealing Middle, and Lamar Middle Schools. All three of these schools have average standardized testing scores higher than 85, and rank in the top 10% of middle schools in the state of Texas.
With so many elementary and middle schools in the district, it’s unsurprising that there are 19 total high schools in AISD. Some are designated as early college high schools, such as Navarro, Northeast, and Travis High Schools. These programs allow for students to work towards their GED, while simultaneously acquiring credits for an associates degree, or begin their path towards a bachelor’s degree. There are also other specialty academies and programs, such as the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, and the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.
In addition to specialty high schools for furthering childhood education, AISD offers a wealth of alternative learning programs. These include the AISD Child Development Center, Mainspring Schools, Uphaus Early Childhood Center, and a Discipline Alternative Education Program, or DAEP.
For a complete list of schools and programs in Austin ISD, visit their website today.
Not only is EISD the top school district in the city of Austin and surrounding areas, it consistently ranks in the top rated school districts in the Lone Star State. EISD prides itself in providing a multitude of programs to enhance the education of all students, including a Spanish immersion program, as well as gifted and talented programs. Eanes Independent School District is home to six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, with a grand total of nine total schools in the district.
Among the most notable elementary schools in EISD are Forest Trail Elementary, ranking 56th of 4,479 elementary schools in the state of Texas (1st in EISD), Cedar Creek Elementary, ranking 88th, and Barton Creek Elementary, ranking higher than 96.7% of elementary schools in Texas.
Both EISD middle schools, Hill Country Middle School and West Ridge Middle School, fall into the 95th percentile of all middle schools in Texas, with rankings of 98.6% and 97.4%, respectively.
Westlake High School is ranked 25th of 1,857 high schools in the state of Texas, and boasts a 92.64 average test score. Westlake High School is extremely well-known for its sports teams, winning the state championship title for 6A high school football in both 2019 and 2020.
In terms of special education, Eanes Independent School District’s Adult Transition Services provides instruction to students to enable them to live and function as independently and successfully as possible in their community after they transition from ATS. Instruction focuses on four life domains, including independent living, continuing education, recreation/leisure, and vocational.
To read more about Eanes ISD or check out education options, click here to visit the EISD website.
LTISD serves Bee Cave, Spicewood, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, and the greater Austin area. It has a similar distribution of schools to Eanes Independent School District, with one of the standouts being Lake Travis High School. LTHS offers various enrichment, extracurricular, and summer programs, encouraging students to take advantage of opportunities to further their education.
Notable elementary schools in LTISD include Lake Pointe Elementary, with average test scores of 96.73, Lakeway Elementary, and Bee Cave Elementary. All three of these schools fall into the top 90% of all elementary schools in Texas.
Two of LTISD’s middle schools, Hudson Bend Middle School, and Lake Travis Middle School, rank in the top 200 middle schools in the state of Texas, placing 141st and 175th, respectively.
Lake Travis High School is ranked 150th of 1,857 high schools in Texas, and in 2011, became the first football program in Texas to win 5 straight state championships. There are many interesting options for sports and extracurricular activities at LTHS, including sailing, rugby, and drill team.
For more information on Lake Travis Independent School District and its education programs, visit their website.
Manor ISD is located in the southeast corner of Central Austin and serves Manor and its surrounding areas. The district includes eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools, as well as alternative and special education programs. Though Manor is a smaller district, the options for academic advancement are aplenty! Program offerings include FFA, a partnership with Dell to provide certifications to graduating students, and opportunities to earn scholarships through the Manor Education Foundation.
Notable elementary schools include Lagos Elementary, Oak Meadows Elementary, and Bluebonnet Trail Elementary, teaching students grades K-5, as well as some offering pre-kindergarten education.
Manor ISD’s 3 middle schools all serve grades 6-8, with Manor New Technology Middle School offering learning through project-based curriculum and internships with leading companies in the area. This hands-on learning model is also offered at Manor New Technology High School and some elementary schools.
High schools in the district include previously mentioned Manor New Technology High School, Manor High School, and the Manor Excel Academy. The Excel Academy allows students to fast track their path to graduation with accelerated coursework, schedule flexibility, and an emphasis on striving for excellence in everything they do.
There are also several options for special or alternative education in Manor Independent School District, including the Manor Alternative Program, which offers personalized and blended instruction models, including emotional and social intervention, and cares for the well-being of students, families, and their community. The Manor Elementary Early Learning Center is the first of its kind in Central Texas, and offers educational programs for students at the pre-kindergarten level.
For more information on Manor ISD, values, specific schools, and more, visit the Manor ISD website.
Greater North Austin
In addition to serving the city of Georgetown, GISD includes some parts of Weir, Serenada, and Walburg. The district as a whole takes into account feedback and concerns from parents and families and encourages participation in the community with programs such as True Accountability and the Citizens Advisory Committee. They also run a program called ParentU, a resource database for parents with students in the GISD school district. There are ten elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and two alternative learning programs in the district.
The top elementary schools in GISD are Jo Ann Ford Elementary, Raye McCoy Elementary, and Village Elementary. Ford Elementary has been ranked as Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency four times since its opening in 2004.
Notable middle schools include Douglas Benold Middle and Charles A. Forbes Middle Schools. They offer programs for special education students, including classes specifically designed for students with dyslexia, and dual-language programs.
Georgetown High School offers clubs such as Serteens, HOSA, FFA, and other extracurricular activities. Serteens partners with Sertoma and the Salvation Army for community participation and relief efforts. HOSA is a club for students who would like to pursue a career in healthcare, and gives students opportunities to get involved in their community and education path. The FFA program immerses students in learning about the inner workings of farming, raising and caring for livestock, and doing business in the agricultural industry.
Alternative education options in GISD include the ASAP Program, which provides middle school youth with safe after school alternatives that promote responsibility and healthy decision making. The program immerses students in activities such as canoeing, robotics, and science experiments. The Georgetown Alternative Program is for students in grades 6-12. They teach their students positive decision-making, build character and independence, and get them back on track to finish school or get their diplomas. There is also the Williamson County Juvenile Services Education program (START), a no-cost, half-day education program offered to juvenile offenders, families, and at-risk individuals. They offer their services to those who have referrals, or those who are using the START program as a preventative measure.
To find more information about Georgetown ISD’s schools, programs, and activities, visit their website.
Between 2013 and 2018, LISD experienced the most rapid growth of all school districts in Central Texas with 4,500 new students entering school in the district during those 6 years. With a total of 48 schools in the district, Leander ISD serves residents of Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Volente, Round Rock, and Austin.
Of the 23 elementary schools in Leander ISD, the most notable are Laura Welch Bush Elementary, River Ridge Elementary, and Deer Creek Elementary. All three of these elementary schools rank in the 96th percentile in the state of Texas.
Leander Independent School District is home to a total of nine middle schools, with three ranking in the top 100 middle schools in Texas, and four boasting average standardized testing scores of 90 or above.
All six high schools in LISD have per pupil expenditures that fall below the national average of $9,606. Four of the six high schools rank in the top quarter of all high schools in the Lone Star State.
Leander Independent School District offers two special education programs, the LEO Center and New Hope High School. The Leander Extended Opportunity Center is the Discipline Alternative Educational Placement center for LISD. Their purpose is to keep students on track with their education, as well as developing productive habits and behaviors, while suspended from their campus. New Hope High School provides students with a self-paced curriculum and a supportive environment to continue their education. It serves as an alternative route to high school graduation.
Visit the LISD website to learn more about education options in Leander Independent School District.
Pflugerville, Texas is located just north of Central Austin, halfway to Round Rock. The school district serves areas of Austin, Hutto, Pflugerville, Coupland, Manor, and Round Rock. There are 20 elementary schools, six middle schools, and 4 high schools in PFISD. The district offers several programs for its students, ranging from one and two-way dual language programs, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs.
Five of PFISD’s elementary schools fall into the top quarter of elementary schools in the state of Texas, with Murchison Elementary, Rowe Lane Elementary, and Highland Park Elementary schools ranking highest in the district.
Kelly Lane Middle School, Pflugerville Middle School, and Park Crest Middle School are among the top middle schools in the district, with some state testing scores in the high 90s.
Hendrickson High School ranks in the top 200 high schools in the state of Texas, with a plethora of options for extracurricular activities, including cheerleading, dance, theater, National Honor Society, and MCJROTC. They are also rolling out a campus improvement plan that involves closing the performance gap between disadvantaged and Limited English Proficient students and their peers, allowing for higher performance and education equality.
As for special education options, PFISD offers the Pflugerville Academic and Career Education program, or PACE. This program and its dedicated staff provides a path for high-risk students to obtain a high school diploma. Another option is the Provan Opportunity Center, where students with suspensions from their home campus go for a period of time determined by their home campus to continue their education while on suspension.
Need more information on PFISD and its educational offerings? Visit the Pflugerville ISD website.
Located north of the greater Austin area, Round Rock ISD provides leading educational services to its residents. With schools offering International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement classes as well as a Gifted program, students are encouraged to continue learning and striving for academic success. Round Rock ISD is home to a whopping 35 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and seven high schools, as well as several options for alternative and special education.
Among the 35 elementary schools in Round Rock Independent School District, notable schools include Cactus Ranch Elementary, Canyon Creek Elementary, Laurel Mountain Elementary, and Elsa England Elementary. All four of these schools fall in the 99th percentile in the state of Texas.
Canyon Vista Middle, James Garland Walsh Middle, and Cedar Valley Middle Schools all fall in the top 95% of middle schools in Texas, with average test scores of 94.7 and higher.
Round Rock offers varying options for education at the high school level. Some options include traditional high schools, such as Westwood High School and Round Rock High School; and Early College High School, which helps students receive a college degree simultaneously with their GED.
There are also a multitude of options for special education in Round Rock ISD. These include the Round Rock Opportunity Center, which uses a point-based system that helps students complete their work on time and progress throughout the program before returning to their home campuses. The GOALS Learning Center, on the other hand, is designed for special education students, with their primary focus being students with Emotional Disturbances. These students are able to learn in a safe, productive environment. There is also a DAEP, or Discipline Alternative Education Program, offered.
For more information on Round Rock ISD’s educational offerings, visit RRISD’s website.
Though Taylor ISD is a smaller district, it is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. With just two elementary schools, two intermediate schools, and two high schools, it is the pinnacle of a close family environment and a strong community.
Elementary schools in the district include Naomi Pasemann Elementary, serving grades 1-3, and T.H. Johnson Elementary, serving just pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. There is also an intermediate school, Main Street Intermediate, that serves grades 4 and 5.
Taylor Middle School is the only one of its kind in the district, and serves grades 6-8.
Taylor ISD has two high schools, Taylor High School and Legacy Early College High School. Legacy School allows students to fast track their education and earn up to 60 college credits during their time in high school, making their path to a college degree quicker and easier. Taylor ISD is also a district of choice, meaning students from any district are welcome to attend.
Alternative education in Taylor ISD includes the Taylor Opportunity Center, which provides students with educational opportunities and resources, such as counseling, to help spur positive change and grow independence. Their main goal is to return students to their home campus after suspensions. Another option is the East Williamson County Cooperative, which is shared between Coupland ISD, Granger ISD, Taylor ISD, and Thrall ISD. They provide numerous resources for students with disabilities and other special needs, a list of which can be found here.
To read more about Taylor ISD, campuses, directories, and staff, visit their website.
Greater East Austin
Located southeast of Austin in picturesque Lost Pines, Bastrop ISD serves the areas of Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Paige, Red Rock, and Rockne. There are six elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two middle schools, and various options for high school education, including two traditional high schools, one early college high school, and an online high school.
Mina Elementary, Emile Elementary, and Cedar Creek Elementary round off the highest ranking elementary schools in Bastrop ISD. All of the schools in Bastrop ISD work to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer with donations and volunteer events for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The intermediate schools in the districts are Bastrop Intermediate and Cedar Creek Intermediate, serving grades 5-6. Middle schools include Bastrop Middle and Cedar Creek Middle, serving grades 7-8 and 7-9, respectively.
Aside from the two traditional high schools, Bastrop High School and Cedar Creek High School, Bastrop ISD’s Colorado River Collegiate Academy is a simultaneous GED and Associate’s Degree program. Genesis High School allows students to work at their own pace in an online-based environment that helps them graduate and enter the workforce on their own time.
Bastrop ISD also offers a Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP), called the Gateway School. The school provides students with a structured environment, allowing students to improve socially, academically, and behaviorally. Their goal is to create a positive relationship between students and their families, administrators, and other students.
Bastrop ISD’s website provides more information on the district itself, its schools, and its staff.
Greater West Austin
Fredericksburg, Texas is located about two hours west of Austin. Their school district serves the city of Fredericksburg, along with Stonewall, Luckenbach, Willow City, and Albert. A fairly small district, it is home to one primary school, two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Though it is a small district, the staff and administration take care to ensure that each and every student is growing to their utmost potential with programs such as O.T.T.E.R., which adds 80 minutes of reading time for kindergarteners per week.
Fredericksburg Primary School teaches pre-kindergarten through first grade, while Stonewall Elementary, ranking higher than 84.1% of elementary schools, and Fredericksburg Elementary teach grades K-5 and 2-5, respectively. Fredericksburg Middle School serves grades 6-8.
FISD has two high schools, Fredericksburg High School, a traditional high school, and Gillespie County High School, which serves as a credit recovery and dropout prevention program.
For more information on FISD’s schools, visit their website.
Lago Vista ISD serves the areas of Lago Vista, Jonestown, and Pointe Ventura and is located in the hill country in the Lake Travis area, only 45 minutes away from the scenic downtown Austin. The district prides themselves on their approach to education, focusing on 21st-century learning and technology. LVISD only has four campuses, one of each type of school, so expect your students to make some lifelong friends during their younger years!
Lago Vista Elementary serves pre-kindergarten, as well as education for grades K-3. In 2019, LVE had a student body size of 415. Lago Vista Intermediate serves 4th and 5th graders, and ranks higher than 81.3% of elementary schools in Texas. For 6th through 8th grade, your children will attend Lago Vista Middle School, and go on to finish their GED at Lago Vista High Schools, which ranks in the top quarter of high schools in Texas.
For a closer look at Lago Vista ISD, including school information and locations, visit their website.
Greater South Austin
DVISD serves the Southeast region of the Austin metropolitan area, including Creedmoor, Webberville, Mustang Ridge, and some parts of Austin. Del Valle ISD has nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. With Tesla’s recent move to Austin comes the announcement of their partnership with several educational institutions, including Del Valle ISD, mostly for workforce development and recruiting.
Each of the nine elementary schools in Del Valle ISD fall far below the national average (16) in terms of student to teacher ratio, with the highest in the district being Joseph Gilbert Elementary at 13.6.
Dailey Middle School and Del Valle Middle School serve grades 6-9, and John P. Ojeda Middle School serves grades 6-8.
Del Valle ISD has two high schools, with Del Valle High School being a traditional educational institution. Early College High School, however, partners with Austin Community College, giving students opportunities to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously earning an associate’s degree from ACC.
There are 4 alternative learning centers in DVISD. The Del Valle Opportunity Center is public, and has an 86.6% on time or early graduation rate. The Travis County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) serves nine Travis County school districts, and provides individualized education for students who have been expelled from their campuses. Similarly, the Del Valle Discipline Alternative Education Program provides structured education plans for students who have been suspended from their original campus. The Del Valle Child Development Center offers education programs for DVISD employees, teen parents, and qualified children from the community.
For more information on education programs, schools, district history, and locations, visit the Del Valle ISD website.
If you choose to settle down in the Dripping Springs or Driftwood areas of Austin, DSISD is your school district! DSISD is a small community, making it perfect for those who want to get to know their peers, principals, teachers, and administration. The district contains just four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.
The two standout elementary schools in Dripping Springs ISD are Rooster Springs Elementary and Sycamore Springs Elementary, both ranking higher than 80% of all elementary schools in the state of Texas.
Both middle schools also boast respectable rankings, with Dripping Springs Middle School ranking higher than 89.4% of Texas middle schools, and Sycamore Springs Middle ranking higher than 92.2%. These middle schools have average test scores of 85.22 and 88.99, respectively.
DSISD’s only high school, Dripping Springs High School, ranks higher than 89.7% of high schools in Texas, with a student to teacher ratio of 15.8, right around the national average of 16.
Interested in learning more about Dripping Springs ISD and their schooling options? Click here to visit their website.
Located southwest of Austin, HCISD serves the city of Kyle, as well as Buda and other areas of Hays County. The district has 14 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and four high schools. The number of schools in the district has tripled in number since 2000, implementing energy-efficient practices along the way, and they are home to a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.
There are four elementary schools in HCISD that rank in the top quarter among all elementary schools in Texas. Carpenter Hill Elementary ranks in the top 90.8%, followed by Elm Grove Elementary, Laura B. Negley Elementary, and Ralph Pfluger Elementary.
Eric Dahlstrom Middle, R. C. Barton Middle, and Armando Chapa Middle are the top three middle schools in the district. All three are public and all three serve grades 6-8.
Moe and Gene Johnson High School is the latest addition to 9-12 grade education in Hays CISD, opening in August of 2019. Another high school, the Live Oak Academy, is an online-based, non-traditional learning environment that encourages students to search for unforeseen opportunities to excel.
The IMPACT Center is Hays County’s discipline alternative education program, which aims to teach students self-discipline, social awareness, and self-awareness skills that lead to good citizenship and independent living.
For more information on Hays Consolidated Independent School District, visit their website.
Lockhart Independent School District is based in Lockhart, Texas, just east of San Marcos and Southeast of the greater Austin area. The district serves the communities of Lockhart, Mustang Ridge, Niederwald, and Pettytown. LISD has five elementary schools, one junior high school, two high schools, and education centers for alternative learning. Lockhart ISD also frequently runs volunteer programs through their website.
Plum Creek Elementary, Clear Fork Elementary, and Navarro Elementary are the top three elementary schools in the district. Lockhart ISD’s elementary schools take care to instill values of kindness and passion in their students.
Lockhart Junior High School serves students in grades 6-8. Their mission is that every single one of their students will reach 1.5 years of academic growth in subjects such as Reading and Math.
Lockhart High School provides students with a more traditional high school setting, while Lockhart Pride High School serves a much smaller student body. Pride High School’s blend of online and student-centered instruction, smaller class sizes, and personalized learning paths allow students who have not found success in a more traditional high school setting to graduate early, gain credits, and enjoy a more tightly knit community of peers.
George W. Carver Early Education Center and Lockhart Discipline Management Center are options for special or alternative education in Lockhart ISD. The Carver Education Center is a full-day preschool campus with Speech, Educational Services, and Counseling. For more information visit the Carver Center’s About Us page.The LDMC is a DAEP center that promotes an environment that teaches students lifelong strategies for success in a contained environment.
To read more about LISD’s schools, values, and find enrollment information, visit their website.
Based in Wimberley, Texas, southwest of Austin, WISD serves the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek. The district was formed in 1986 when parts of Hays Consolidated ISD and Dripping Springs ISD were merged. It is a fairly small district, with just one of each type of school: primary, elementary, junior high, and high school.
Scudder Primary School serves pre-kindergarten and kindergarteners with a student body size of about 500 students. Jacob’s Well Elementary teaches grades 2-5.
Danforth Junior High services grades 6-9 and ranks higher than 87% of public middle schools in the state of Texas.
Wimberley High School, WISD’s only high school, serves grades 9-12, with an excellent student to teacher ratio of 12.7, and ranks in the top 20% of public high schools in the Lone Star State. With a variety of extracurricular activities and sports, as well as a school safety tip line, WHS is a traditional school in a tightly knit community.
For more resources and information on Wimberley ISD, visit the WISD website.
Private Schools
The Best Private Schools in the Austin Area
As of 2021, Austin is home to over 100 top-rated private schools, with an average tuition of $10,632 for elementary schools and $14,172 for high schools. The average acceptance rate for these schools is 73%, and 35% are religiously affiliated. To find a comprehensive list of these schools, visit Niche’s website.
Child Care
Child Care in the Austin Area
In addition to various child development centers in Austin area school districts, the city offers a variety of child care options, no matter your situation. From Montessori schools, to day care centers, to trustworthy nannies, you are guaranteed to find a child care solution that fits your personal needs perfectly.
Special Education
Special Education in Greater Austin
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required to offer free, special services to students ages 3-21 with designated disabilities in public schools. Two noteworthy campuses in the greater Austin area are the Texas School for the Deaf and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Both of these schools are public, and serve all grade levels, offering short or long term programs for children with hearing or visual disabilities.
Another school, Rawson Saunders School, is a private school with a curriculum created specifically for dyslexic students. Yet another school, The Capitol School of Austin, provides on-site individualized speech therapy and special education courses for students with communication disabilities.
Whatever your student’s needs may be, you can count on Austin’s wealth and diversity of educational programs to find exactly what you are looking for.
Higher Education
Higher Education in the Austin Area
Continuing the Austin tradition of valuing education, the city offers numerous options for students to continue their learning journey in a college or university setting. From vocational schools, to community colleges, and even world-class universities, there are a plethora of options for young adults to solidify their life path and find their true passion.
Austin Community College can help your student transition to a different higher education institution or earn an associate’s degree before moving. Austin Community College is one of the largest community college networks in the United States, with 11 total campuses in Central Texas. ACC works directly with the University of Texas at Austin to transfer students from a community college to a 4-year university program.
The University of Texas at Austin is located just north of downtown Austin, and ranks 7th in the nation among all public universities. With endless research, education, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities, UT Austin gives high level students a chance to expand their knowledge and worldview, as well as sets them up for successful career paths in the future.
Other options for universities include St. Edward’s, a Catholic private university offering graduate and undergraduate programs and located in south Austin; Concordia University, a private coeducational institution of liberal arts and sciences located in northwest Austin; Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock, offering an education in cutting-edge medical research, service, and education; Dell Medical School, for graduate students looking for unique curriculum designed to focus on the distinct challenges of 21st-century health and medicine; Texas State University, a public research university located in San Marcos; and Southwestern University, a private university in Georgetown offering 40 different bachelor degrees.
