Ed Neuhaus 
Buying Near Bailey or Lively? Here Is What the Data Says.
I get asked about Bailey Middle School and Lively Middle School more than you would think. Both are in Austin ISD, and buyers want to know which zone is the better call. TEA gave Bailey Middle School a C (78/100) and Lively Middle School a C (77/100). Lets dig in.
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 Lively Middle School school page.
Bailey Middle School vs Lively Middle School: Quick Comparison
| Bailey Middle School | Lively Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (78/100) | C (77/100) |
| Enrollment | 784 students | 910 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $434,900 | $729,000 |
| Feeds Into | Akins HS | Akins 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 | Lively Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (78/100) | C (77/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (79/100) | C (74/100) |
| School Progress | C (73/100) | C (79/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (73/100) | D (65/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (77/100) | C (72/100) |
| Enrollment | 784 students (06 – 08) | 910 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 34.2% | 65.7% |
| English Learners | 9.1% | 39.6% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 1 of 7 earned |
The biggest standout in this comparison is Academic Growth, where Bailey Middle School scored 73/100 compared to 65/100 at Lively Middle School. That 8 point gap is significant and speaks to how well the campus is moving students forward academically.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Bailey Middle School school page or the Lively 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.
Lively Middle School: What the Numbers Say (and What They Don’t)
Lively Middle School sits at the heart of one of Austin’s most beloved stretches of real estate, serving students from iconic south Austin neighborhoods like Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, and beyond. As part of Austin ISD, Lively offers a well-rounded education that reflects the creativity and energy of the community it serves, with academic programming, arts, and extracurricular opportunities that give middle schoolers a strong foundation.
With a C rating (77/100) from TEA, Lively 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 Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Harwood. 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 Lively area has a median around $729,000, while the Bailey zone comes in closer to $434,900. That $294,100 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 Lively 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:
- TEA scores are a top priority and you want the higher rated campus
- You want to keep your home budget closer to $434,900
- The feeder path to Akins High School is important to you
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Bailey zone
You might lean toward Lively Middle School if:
- You want a neighborhood with higher home values and the lifestyle that comes with it
- The Akins High School feeder path matches your long term plans
- You value what the Lively neighborhood offers in terms of location and community
Honestly, these two are close enough on paper that the tiebreaker is going to be neighborhood feel and commute. I would recommend driving both zones on a weekday morning. See how the traffic flows, check out the parks, grab a coffee nearby. The numbers say these campuses are peers, so the decision comes down to lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are weighing the Bailey zone against the Lively 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.
