Bailey vs Lamar: TEA Scores, Homes & What to Know

Which Middle School Is the Better Fit for Your Next Move?

Lamar Middle School earned an A on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, while Bailey Middle School came in at a C. That is a meaningful gap for two campuses in the same district (TEA 2025 ratings).

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

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.

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: A C Rating in South Austin

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 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 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: An A Rating in North Central Austin

Lamar Middle School is one of Austin ISD’s most established campuses, anchoring some of north central Austin’s most beloved neighborhoods. The school draws students from areas including Allandale and Brentwood, with their mid-century bungalows and mature tree canopy.

Lamar Middle School earned an A 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 and Brentwood. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.

The numbers here speak for themselves. An A rating 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, with home prices in the Lamar area (78757, Allandale and Brentwood) generally running higher than the Bailey area (78739, Shady Hollow corridor). 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 want the neighborhoods around the Bailey zone including Shady Hollow and surrounding south Austin areas
• The feeder path to Bowie 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
• The McCallum High School feeder path matches your long term plans, including potential access to LASA

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.

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 17 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.

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