Barrington vs Guerrero Thompson: F vs B in the Same Austin ISD Corridor

Guerrero Thompson Earned a B With 96.7% Economically Disadvantaged Students. That Deserves Your Attention.

Guerrero Thompson Elementary scored an 87 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA report, landing a solid B. That would be a strong result for any campus. But when you learn that 96.7% of its students are economically disadvantaged and 84.5% are English Learners, the score becomes remarkable. Barrington Elementary sits less than a quarter mile away, serves a nearly identical student population (94.8% economically disadvantaged, 77.0% EL), and scored a 56. That is an F.

These two campuses are practically neighbors. They are both in Austin ISD, both in north central Austin, and both serve communities along the North Lamar corridor. The median home prices are within $5,000 of each other. But the TEA outcomes are 31 points apart, and the reasons why are worth understanding if you are buying in this part of town.

I find this comparison genuinely fascinating because it challenges the assumption that school ratings are just a proxy for neighborhood income. Guerrero Thompson proves that is not always the case.

Barrington vs Guerrero Thompson: 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.

The School Progress and Academic Growth domains are where Guerrero Thompson really shines, earning A ratings in both with 91 out of 100. These domains measure how much students are growing year over year and how much the campus is improving over time. Guerrero Thompson earned 4 of 7 TEA distinctions. Barrington, as an F rated campus, is not eligible for distinctions.

Guerrero Thompson has maintained a B rating since 2019, with a brief jump to A in 2024 (91/100). This is a campus with genuine momentum. Barrington has been rated F in four of its last five evaluation cycles. The gap between these two schools is not new, and it is not narrowing. For full details visit the Barrington school page or the Guerrero Thompson school page.

Guerrero Thompson: Proof That Campus Culture Matters

When a campus serves 96.7% economically disadvantaged students and 84.5% English Learners and still pulls a B with an 87, something special is happening at the building level. That kind of performance does not happen by accident. It takes a principal who sets the tone, teachers who stay and invest, and a support system that meets students where they are.

The neighborhoods zoned to Guerrero Thompson include Georgian Acres and North Creek, areas of north Austin with established single family homes and a growing condominium inventory. The median home price is around $249,500, making this one of the most affordable school zones in Austin ISD. The feeder pattern sends students to Burnet, Dobie, or Webb Middle School, then on to Navarro Early College High School where students can earn college credit before graduation.

Barrington: Strong Feeder Path, Struggling Campus

Barrington’s TEA numbers have been difficult for years. The campus scored an F in 2019, improved to a D in 2023, dropped back to F in 2024, and sits at F again in 2025 with a 56. The trend is not encouraging at the elementary level.

But the neighborhoods are genuinely appealing. Georgian Acres (which overlaps both zones), Dean Terrace, and Mockingbird Hill offer mid century homes on generous lots with mature tree canopy. The North Lamar corridor puts residents close to independent coffee shops, music venues, and the businesses that define Austin’s civic character.

And the high school feeder is the real headline: the Barrington zone feeds into the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), consistently ranked among the very best public high schools in Texas and the entire country. That is a genuinely exceptional high school destination, and some buyers make their purchase decision based on the LASA feeder alone.

The Neighborhoods

Both zones sit in north central Austin along the North Lamar corridor. The neighborhoods overlap significantly, with Georgian Acres appearing in both attendance boundaries. Home prices in both zones cluster in the $249K to $254K range, making this one of the more accessible parts of Austin ISD for buyers who want to be inside the city limits.

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park is close by with miles of hike and bike trails. The Domain is a short drive north. Downtown Austin is equally accessible heading south on Lamar or MoPac.

Browse all homes zoned to Barrington Elementary or homes zoned to Guerrero Thompson Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward Guerrero Thompson if:

• TEA scores at the elementary level are a priority and the B rating gives you confidence
• The campus trend (B or better since 2019) matters to your decision
• The Navarro Early College feeder and its college credit pathway appeal to you
• You want a campus with proven momentum working with a challenging student population

You might lean toward Barrington if:

• The LASA high school feeder is the single most important factor in your home search
• You plan to supplement elementary education and are focused on the long game through high school

This is one of the more unusual comparisons in Austin because the elementary scores and the high school feeders point in opposite directions. Guerrero Thompson wins the elementary scorecard convincingly. Barrington’s LASA feeder is arguably the strongest high school destination in Austin ISD. Some buyers prioritize where they start. Others prioritize where they finish.

Ready to Find Your Home?

North central Austin under $255K with access to Austin ISD is a real opportunity. The school picture is nuanced, but that is where having an experienced agent matters. I have been working this market for 19 years and I know these neighborhoods block by block.

Lets walk through your options. Schedule a consultation with Ed Neuhaus at Neuhaus Realty Group. Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.