Austin School Districts: A 2026 Buyer's Guide for Families

In Texas, your home's address sets your school district, and in the Austin area the differences between districts, and between campuses within a district, can be large. Eanes ISD and Lake Travis ISD earned A grades in the state's preliminary 2026 ratings, while Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, and Hays CISD earned B grades. But the bigger story for 2026 buyers is that the map itself is changing, especially inside Austin ISD.

Austin ISD closed 10 schools at the end of the 2025-26 school year and is now working through boundary changes that will roll out over the next two years. Fast-growing suburban districts like Leander, Georgetown, and Hays CISD keep redrawing lines as new schools open.

So the right question isn't just "which district?" It's "which campuses is this exact address zoned to today, and is that likely to change?"

How the major districts compare

The grades below are from the Texas Education Agency's preliminary 2026 A–F accountability ratings for the 2025–26 school year, released in August 2026. Preliminary ratings can change after appeals, so confirm current results on TXschools.gov.

District grades are averages. Every district on this list has campuses that score well above and below its overall grade.

Eanes ISD

Eanes serves West Lake Hills and nearby areas just west of downtown. It's small, consistently high-performing, and in high demand, which shows up in home prices. Most single-family homes here start around $1.5 million. Our West Lake Hills guide covers the area.

Lake Travis ISD

Lake Travis ISD serves Lakeway, Bee Cave, and other lake communities. It's popular with families who want a Hill Country setting. See our Hill Country living guide for what else to check out there, like wells, septic, and wildfire insurance.

Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD

These two large districts cover much of the north side. Round Rock ISD serves Round Rock, Brushy Creek, and a big chunk of Northwest Austin. Leander ISD serves Cedar Park, Leander, and some Austin neighborhoods like Steiner Ranch. District lines between them cut through neighborhoods like Avery Ranch and Brushy Creek, so check every address. Our Cedar Park vs. Round Rock comparison covers more.

Austin ISD

Austin ISD is the city's largest district and the one with the widest range. It includes some of the most sought-after campuses in Central Texas, along with schools facing real challenges. It also has popular magnet and choice programs that admit students from across the district.

Pflugerville ISD and Hays CISD

Both districts serve growing suburbs with lower entry prices than central Austin. Pflugerville ISD improved from a C to a B in 2026. Hays CISD serves Kyle and Buda, where much of the metro's new construction is happening. In both, campus-level research matters a lot.

Austin ISD closures and boundary changes

If you're buying inside Austin ISD, here's what has happened and what's coming.

The 2026 closures

In November 2025, Austin ISD's board voted to close or consolidate 10 schools starting with the 2026-27 school year. The district said the plan affected about 3,796 students and eliminated about 6,319 empty seats. Three campuses that were on the original proposal were kept open. The district's consolidation page has the official list and where students were reassigned.

Budget pressure and a pause

Austin ISD has been dealing with falling enrollment and a projected budget shortfall that was reported at about $181 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. In April 2026, the superintendent paused additional closures while the district focused on its budget and academics.

Boundary changes in two phases

The district has split its boundary work into two phases:

1. Phase 1, targeted for the 2027-28 school year. This covers campuses that took in students from closed schools, schools projected to be overcrowded, and a first-ever attendance zone for Marshall Middle School. Recommendations were delayed from August to September 2026, with a board vote expected this fall.
2. Phase 2, targeted for fall 2028. This is a broader districtwide update to feeder patterns, and it could include more school closures. Work is expected to start in January 2027, with a board vote later that year.

Timelines have moved more than once. Check the district's boundaries page for the current schedule and maps.

How to check campus-level boundaries

This is the step most buyers skip, and it's the one that matters most.

1. Use the district's own lookup tool. Listing sites and third-party maps can be out of date. Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, and the others each have an address lookup.
2. Look up each zoned campus. Check the elementary, middle, and high school separately on TXschools.gov, and look at more than one year of results if you can.
3. Ask about planned changes. New schools often mean new attendance zones. Districts usually post proposed boundaries for public comment.
4. Know the transfer rules. Some districts allow transfers or have choice programs, but space isn't guaranteed.
5. Write it into your due diligence. Use your option period to confirm schools before you're fully committed.

Schools, home values, and taxes

Strong schools tend to support demand and resale, and many families are willing to pay more to be zoned to specific campuses. But school ratings aren't the only factor in price, and a top-rated district doesn't guarantee appreciation in a soft market.

Taxes are part of the comparison too. Each district sets its own tax rate, and many suburban areas add MUD or PID assessments. Compare the total tax rate for each address, not just the purchase price.

The homestead exemption tie-in

If you buy a home as your primary residence, file for a homestead exemption with your appraisal district (Travis Central Appraisal District, Williamson Central Appraisal District, or Hays CAD). Key points:

• The school-district homestead exemption is now $140,000, up from $100,000, after voters approved Proposition 13 in November 2025. It applies starting with the 2025 tax year.
• Voters also approved raising the additional exemption for homeowners 65 and older or disabled from $10,000 to $60,000 for school taxes.
• Filing is generally done online with your appraisal district using Form 50-114. The Texas Comptroller's exemptions page explains the rules.

Exemptions reduce the school portion of your bill most, which is one reason school district tax rates and exemptions belong in your budget. Talk to your CPA or title company about how this applies to you.

For more on choosing a neighborhood, see our best Austin neighborhoods for families and our young family living guide. If you're moving here, our relocation guide is a good starting point.

Talk to our team

We help families compare specific campuses, not just districts, and we keep an eye on boundary changes so you're not surprised later. Contact our team with your must-have schools and budget, and we'll build a home search around them.