Summary:
The seven schools in Austin's 78749 zip code, part of the Austin Independent School District (Isd), serve nearly 8,000 students from elementary through high school and present a dramatic split in performance, with elite, top-ranked schools coexisting alongside significantly struggling ones.
The standout performers are Mills Elementary, Gorzycki Middle, and Bowie High School, all earning 5-star ratings and ranking in the top 10% of their respective school levels statewide. Mills Elementary, for instance, ranks in the 99th percentile and posts reading and math proficiency rates 30-40 points above district and state averages. Gorzycki Middle achieves a 94% proficiency rate in Algebra I, while Bowie High School boasts a near-perfect 99.7% graduation rate. In stark contrast, Boone Elementary and Covington Middle are rated just 3 stars and perform below state averages, with Covington Middle showing a 2.3% dropout rate and math proficiency as low as 11% in 7th grade. Small Middle and Patton Elementary fall in the middle of this range.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results; Covington Middle spends the most per student ($11,664) yet is the lowest-performing middle school, while Gorzycki Middle spends the least ($9,292) and is the top performer. Additionally, a fascinating "Algebra I anomaly" appears at Covington and Small Middle Schools, where general math proficiency is very low, but the select group of students taking Algebra I achieves near-perfect scores (over 95%), indicating that only the most advanced students are placed into that course. For parents, this zip code offers a choice between elite, high-achieving schools and those facing significant challenges, making school selection a critical decision.
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