Ed Neuhaus 
One Is Rated B, the Other C: Inside the Austin vs Navarro Early College Divide
Here is the quick version: Austin High School earned a B (89/100) from TEA in 2025. Navarro Early College High School earned a C (75/100). Both are in Austin ISD, so the difference comes down to campus culture, neighborhood, and price.
Both schools are part of Austin ISD, and I have shown homes in both zones for years. The neighborhoods have their own personality, the price points are different, and the day to day experience at each campus is its own thing. That matters more than most buyers expect when they first start their search.
Below, I will break down the full TEA performance data, walk through the neighborhoods zoned to each campus, and give you my honest take on which school zone fits different types of buyers. If you want the deep dive on either campus individually, check out the Austin High School school page or the Navarro Early College High School school page.
Austin High School vs Navarro Early College High School: Quick Comparison
| Austin High School | Navarro Early College High School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (89/100) | C (75/100) |
| Enrollment | 2321 students | 1633 students |
| Grades | 09 – 12 | 09 – 12 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $799,000 | $449,000 |
| Feeds Into | N/A | N/A |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
The Texas Education Agency evaluates every public school annually across multiple performance domains. Here is how both campuses performed in the 2025 accountability cycle.
| Performance Metric | Austin High School | Navarro Early College High School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (89/100) | C (75/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | C (75/100) |
| School Progress | B (88/100) | C (78/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (70/100) | F (56/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (82/100) | D (67/100) |
| Enrollment | 2321 students (09 – 12) | 1633 students (09 – 12) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 24.1% | 93.9% |
| English Learners | 9.5% | 78.3% |
| TEA Distinctions | 3 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
The biggest standout in this comparison is Student Achievement, where Austin High School scored 92/100 compared to 75/100 at Navarro Early College High School. That 17 point gap is significant and speaks to the underlying academic outcomes on standardized assessments.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Austin High School school page or the Navarro Early College High School school page.
Austin High School: Austin ISD’s Quiet Achiever
Austin High School is one of the most historically significant and academically vibrant high schools in Texas, with roots stretching back to 1881. Part of Austin ISD, Austin High anchors some of the most established central Austin neighborhoods, from the canopied streets of Tarrytown and Clarksville to the lively corridors of Bouldin Creek and Zilker.
With a B rating (89/100) from TEA, Austin High School sits in the middle tier of Austin ISD campuses. The scores show a school that is doing solid work, even if there is room to push higher in some areas. The campus has been steady in recent years.
The school draws from neighborhoods including Lakeway, Spicewood. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Austin High School is one of those campuses where you can feel the community investment the moment you drive through the neighborhood. The homes hold their value well here, and resale demand stays consistent.
Austin High School enrolls 2321 students, making it one of the larger campuses in Austin ISD. Larger schools can offer more programs, more extracurricular options, and a broader social experience. The tradeoff is that the campus can feel busier, but Austin ISD has invested in making sure its bigger campuses still run efficiently.
Navarro Early College High School: Solid Ground in Austin ISD
Navarro Early College High School is one of the most distinctive programs in Austin ISD, giving students the remarkable opportunity to earn college credits alongside their high school diploma. As an early college program, Navarro draws motivated, academically focused students from across the district and partners with Austin Community College to offer a head start on higher education at no extra cost to residents.
With a C rating (75/100) from TEA, Navarro Early College High School sits in the middle tier of Austin ISD campuses. The scores show a school that is doing solid work, even if there is room to push higher in some areas. The campus has been steady in recent years.
The school draws from neighborhoods including Manor, Del Valle, Lago Vista. The surrounding neighborhoods offer a range of housing options at accessible price points.
The Neighborhoods
There is a real price difference between these two zones. The Austin area has a median around $799,000, while the Navarro zone comes in closer to $449,000. That $350,000 gap reflects differences in neighborhood age, lot size, finishes, and overall demand. Both are in Austin ISD, so the tax rate is the same either way.
One thing I always tell buyers: look at the neighborhood on a Saturday morning, not just a Tuesday at 2pm. You want to see who is walking dogs, who is out running, whether the parks are being used. That tells you more about the community than any listing description ever will. And yes, school zones affect resale value. That is just reality in this market.
Browse all homes zoned to Austin High School or homes zoned to Navarro Early College High School.
Which School Fits You?
Every buyer has a different set of priorities. Here is how I would think about it.
You might lean toward Austin High School if:
- TEA scores are a top priority and you want the higher rated campus
- You are comfortable at the $799,000 price point and want the neighborhoods that come with it
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Austin zone
You might lean toward Navarro Early College High School if:
- You are looking for more accessible pricing near $449,000
- You value what the Navarro Early College neighborhood offers in terms of location and community
Both campuses have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your priorities. If I were buying in this area, I would look closely at the feeder pattern, the neighborhood walkability, and what your daily commute looks like from each zone. The TEA scores matter, but they are not the whole story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are weighing the Austin zone against the Navarro Early College zone (or anywhere else in the Austin area), I would love to help you figure it out. I have been doing this for over 19 years and have helped buyers navigate school zone decisions more times than I can count. And honestly, this is one of my favorite conversations to have because it is never just about a school. It is about how you want your mornings to feel, where you will grab coffee, and whether your commute makes you want to scream or not.
Lets grab a coffee, walk through your priorities, and find the neighborhood that actually fits your life. No pressure, no pitch, just honest guidance from someone who knows these neighborhoods inside and out. Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
