Ed Neuhaus 
Which Middle School Is the Better Fit for Your Next Move?
Lamar Middle School scored 90 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning a solid A. Bailey Middle School came in at 78, which puts it in C territory. That is a meaningful gap for two campuses in the same district.
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 Bailey Middle School school page or the Lamar Middle School school page.
Bailey Middle School vs Lamar Middle School: Quick Comparison
| Bailey Middle School | Lamar Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (78/100) | A (90/100) |
| Enrollment | 784 students | 1109 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $434,900 | $298,900 |
| Feeds Into | Akins HS | Anderson HS |
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 | Bailey Middle School | Lamar Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (78/100) | A (90/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (79/100) | A (92/100) |
| School Progress | C (73/100) | B (87/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (73/100) | B (87/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (77/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 784 students (06 – 08) | 1109 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 34.2% | 22.2% |
| English Learners | 9.1% | 10.6% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 4 of 7 earned |
The biggest standout in this comparison is School Progress, where Lamar Middle School scored 87/100 compared to 73/100 at Bailey Middle School. That 14 point gap is significant and speaks to the overall trajectory of the campus relative to similar schools.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Bailey Middle School school page or the Lamar Middle School school page.
Bailey Middle School: 784 Students and a C Rating
Bailey Middle School is one of the anchor campuses in Austin ISD, serving sixth through eighth graders in a part of south Austin that has long drawn buyers who want that unmistakable local character without sacrificing convenience. The campus is known for dedicated staff, a broad range of elective offerings, and a school community where parents tend to stay engaged year after year.
With a C rating (78/100) from TEA, Bailey Middle 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 Tanglewood Forest, Olympic Heights, Shady Hollow. The surrounding neighborhoods offer a range of housing options at accessible price points.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Bailey Middle School is one of those campuses where you can feel the community investment the moment you drive through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is evolving and there is real opportunity for buyers who want to get in before prices catch up.
Lamar Middle School: 1109 Students and a A Rating
Lamar Middle School is one of Austin ISD’s most established campuses, anchoring some of central and north Austin’s most beloved neighborhoods. The school draws students from a wide swath of the city, from the mid-century bungalows of Allandale and Brentwood to the walkable streets of Mueller and the urban townhomes of Crestview Station.
Lamar Middle School earned a A (90/100) from TEA, which puts it among the stronger campuses in Austin ISD. That kind of performance does not happen by accident. It reflects consistent instructional quality, engaged leadership, and a campus culture where expectations run high.
The school draws from neighborhoods including Allandale, Mueller, Crestview Station. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.
The numbers here speak for themselves. A 90/100 from TEA puts Lamar Middle School in strong company, and the campus culture backs up what the data shows.
The Neighborhoods
There is a real price difference between these two zones. The Bailey area has a median around $434,900, while the Lamar zone comes in closer to $298,900. That $136,000 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 Bailey Middle School or homes zoned to Lamar Middle 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 Bailey Middle School if:
- You are comfortable at the $434,900 price point and want the neighborhoods that come with it
- The feeder path to Akins High School is important to you
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Bailey zone
- You see value in a growing campus and want to buy before prices climb
You might lean toward Lamar Middle School if:
- You prioritize the highest possible TEA rating
- You are looking for more accessible pricing near $298,900
- The Anderson High School feeder path matches your long term plans
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 Bailey zone against the Lamar 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.
