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Your Guide To The Best Elementary Schools in Austin

As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. From packing healthy lunches to supporting their dreams and picking out the best schools, it’s your goal to make sure they’re set up for success. If you have a young family and are planning a move to Austin or looking for the best neighborhoods for an inter-city move, you’re likely thinking about the best school options. Here, we’ve put together a list of the best elementary schools in Austin to help you make the best decision for your family.

The 14 Best Elementary Schools in Austin

Austin, Texas is home to dozens of high-level schools with award-winning faculty and teachers. Most students attend the elementary school in their neighborhood based on their address. That’s why many parents talk to a real estate agent or look into the best public elementary schools when finding a place to live. In addition to public schools, there are also several private schools and charter schools where you can enroll your elementary school children. 

Our list of the best elementary schools in Austin takes into account ratings from the Texas Education Agency. They take into account test scores, student-to-teacher ratios, and the availability of extracurricular activities. They also look at graduation rates and other criteria. Here are the best elementary schools in Austin that you can rely on to educate and support your young students. 

1. Barton Creek Elementary School

Barton Creek is one of several elementary schools in the Eanes Independent School District area. The school boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, far below the national average. The student population hovers around 500, making it small enough for your kids to make good friends, but large enough for greater diversity. The school serves a wide population of students including gifted and talented youth as well as those with special needs.

2. Canyon Creek Elementary School

Part of the Round Rock Independent School District (ISD), Canyon Creek is ranked as the 6th best elementary school in the state of Texas and receives an A+ rating from several rating agencies including Texas School Guide. The school focuses heavily not only on educational teaching, but mental health and emotional support for students as they navigate the early school years.

3. Lake Pointe Elementary School

Lake Pointe is part of the Lake Travis Independent School District. The school serves the Bee Cave region as well and the principal has children who attended the school. This school focuses on providing a familiar feel and creating a friendly environment for students to learn about the world and grow. Each year, the school publishes improvement plans listing goals to make the academic program even better.

4. Bridge Point Elementary School

An Eanes ISD school, Bridge Point has educated students in the northern area of the district since 1997. It’s the largest elementary school in the district with over 600 students. A spacious library and enrichment classes enable students to continue learning once class time is finished.

5. Cedar Creek Elementary School

Cedar Creek Elementary School serves an Austin area that is highly educated and is well known among parents as one of the best elementary schools in Austin. At this school, each student is assigned a librarian, counselor, and nurse to further support their well-being. In addition to regular classes, students can enroll in the Gifted and Talented program. There is also support for special needs students including speech therapy, and OT and PT programs.

6. Chaparral Star Academy

The Chaparral Star Academy doesn’t just offer elementary school services. This school is also one of the best middle schools and high schools in Austin. The school focuses on small class sizes and claims to offer “twice the education in half the time”. They boast a 100% graduation rate and have a 14 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio. Their teachers have an average of 10.5 years of experience and they regularly rank on lists of the best charter schools.

7. Patsy Sommer Elementary School

The Patsy Sommer Elementary School is part of the Round Rock School District. The school has around 1,200 students each year and aims to prepare students to play an important part in a global community. The school offers extracurricular activities and students tend to perform well on STAAR tests.

8. Forest Trail Elementary School

Forest Trail Elementary School is part of the Eanes ISD and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. There are between 500 and 600 students each year and the school consistently ranks high on STAAR testing. The school offers several enrichment classes including archery, martial arts, piano, and Spanish. They also work on taking kids outdoors and outside the classroom to support learning.

9. Laurel Mountain Elementary School

Also part of the Round Rock ISD, Laurel Mountain Elementary serves students in the northwest Austin area and Travis County. The school has a library where students can discover a love for reading and conduct research for school projects. The school also has a diverse population with around 52% Asian students, 30% White, and 9% Hispanic.

10. Doss Elementary

Doss is part of the Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD). The school offers a wide range of services for students including counseling, gifted and talented programs, and nurse support. The school is also well known for its Mandarin immersion program where students can start learning one of the most difficult languages in the world at a young age.

11. Spicewood Elementary School

Spicewood Elementary serves more than 800 students and is an International Baccalaureate school implementing the Primary Years Programme. This program approaches education by viewing the student as an inquirer. The program aims to teach not only knowledge and skills, but also emphasizes action and attitude as part of being a good learner.

12. Casis Elementary School

Casis Elementary belongs to the Austin ISD. The school started as a joint venture between Austin Public Schools and the University of Texas. The school is named after the two Casis sisters, one of whom was the first full-time female professor at the University of Texas. Today, the school supports students from all walks of life and learning abilities, including gifted and talented students as well as those with special needs. The school also emphasizes outdoor learning, getting students out in the forest, garden, and a special outdoor learning classroom to further education.

13. Elsa England Elementary School

Elsa England Elementary aims to educate students to become lifelong learners. School enrollment hovers around 1,200 students and the student-to-teacher ratio is 17 to 1. In terms of statewide testing performance, the school ranks above 98% of other schools with an average test score of 97.6. Enrollment has been increasing since2013 thanks to an exceptional reputation and great teaching staff.

14. River Ridge Elementary School

River Ridge Elementary belongs to the Leander Independent School District. The school is home to about 600 students. The school has a dedicated library as well as counseling and food services for students who need them. They boast a 14 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio and students consistently perform well on STAAR testing.

Getting Settled in Austin

best elementary schools in Austin: students raising hands

With these best elementary schools in Austin, you can’t go wrong when it comes to getting your child a great education. While extensive, this list isn’t exhaustive. The school your child will attend depends on where you live unless you choose to enroll them in a private or charter school. Additional schools in the region that rank well include Steiner Ranch Elementary, Cedar Park Elementary, and Barton Hills Elementary. There is also high praise for Murchison Elementary in the Pflugerville ISD, Anderson Mill Elementary, and Montessori schools.

Want to learn more about schooling in Austin? Check out our guides on the best high schools in Austin and the best school districts in Austin. You can also learn more about the best moving companies in Austin if you need help planning for a cross-city or cross-country move.

Once you get settled in, we’ll help you explore your new home. Head to ATX Guides to discover the best restaurants, attractions, and outdoor adventures awaiting you in Austin. You’ll find plenty of tips on family-friendly activities and ways to get to know this city that loves to keep things weird.

Author
Erika Marty
Erika Marty

Erika is an avid traveler who has been to more than 60 countries where she finds food, activities, and hidden locales for touring like a local. When she’s not writing, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and planning her next adventure.

Learn more about Erika