The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently announced their list of the worst Austin schools for 2014-2015. Well, they introduced the list for all of Texas, but we’ll just talk about Austin area schools for this post. Austin had only 20 of Texas’ 1,199 worst schools. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Austin, schools are an important factor in predicting home values. Which schools made the worst Austin schools list for 2014-2015?
How Does TEA Determine the Worst Austin Schools?
First, let’s discuss how TEA determines the worst Austin schools. Schools that have a 50% or worse passing rate on the STAAR exam in any two of the three preceding three years or rated “Improvement Needed” in any of the previous two years were added to the list of worst Austin schools.
Worst Austin Schools
Here are the worst schools in the Austin area that made the split up by school district. You can see the full list of Texas’ worst schools for 2014-2015 here.
Austin ISD’s Worst Schools
- Burnet Middle School
- Dobie Middle School
- Eastside Memorial High School
- Lanier High School
- LBJ High School
- Martin Middle School
- Mendez Middle School
- Ridgetop Elementary School
- Rodriguez Elementary School
- Travis High School
- Widen Elementary School
Del Valle ISD’s Worst Schools
- Dailey Middle School
- Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary School
Hays CISD’s Worst Schools
Manor ISD’s Worst Schools
- Blake Manor Elementary School
- Decker Elementary School
- Decker Middle School
- Manor Middle School
Pflugerville ISD’s Worst Schools
Round Rock ISD’s Worst Schools
What Are Your Options If Your Kids are Zoned for Austin Worst Schools?
All hope is not lost if you want your kids to attend a better school. If you live in a home that’s zoned for one of Austin’s worst schools, you can request your child transfer to another, higher rated school under the Public Education Grant (PEG) program. Schools that make the worst schools list are required to notify parents by February 1st. Parents then will have the opportunity to request a transfer for the following year. Kids are guaranteed acceptance into a new district, but districts must follow the same protocols they follow for evaluating non-PEG requests. For example, first come first served policies that shut down when the school runs out of space is a popular way of handling requests, so if you want to give your kids the best chance of a transfer, apply early. For more FAQ’s about the PEG program, read this article.
Are Charter Schools Included?
Austin charter schools are not included on the worst schools list because enrollment is voluntary and students can transfer back to their home district at any time.
Which Austin School Districts Have Zero Schools on the Worst Schools List?
The following Austin area school districts have zero schools listed on the worst Austin schools list.
PEG Transfers Allow Austin Home Buyers to Save Money on Housing
It’s no secret homes in inferior school districts usually cost less than homes in better school districts. In this booming real estate market, many of the affordable homes are located in poor school districts. If that’s all you can afford, but have kids and are worried about the schools, the PEG program might be a way to have both affordable housing and highly rated schools. Though it’s no guarantee, if you’re flexible with where your kids attend school, you’ll likely be able to send them to a better school. We would suggest calling the school districts you’re interested in transferring and talking to them about their policies as they are all different.
Looking to Buy a Home in Austin?
Whether you’re looking to buy in the best Austin school districts to avoid the worst Austin schools or are looking to buy an affordable home in an inferior district in hopes of getting a transfer, we can help! We know the area and school ratings well and can help you make the best choice for you and your family. If you’re looking for a Realtor who takes a consultative approach, rather than a hard sales approach, we might be the right buyer’s agents for you. And, our buyer representation is free to home buyers. Check out our Austin Home Buyers page to learn more about our team and how we work. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com or fill out our Buyer Survey to schedule a no obligation consultation.
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