Ed Neuhaus 
Same Score, Different District: Bee Cave and Sycamore Springs Both Hit 87
Bee Cave Elementary in Lake Travis ISD and Sycamore Springs Elementary in Dripping Springs ISD both scored an 87 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Identical overall scores. Both earned a B. But these two schools sit in different districts, serve different communities, and feed into completely different middle and high school campuses. The median home prices are remarkably close too: $895,000 at Bee Cave versus $885,000 at Sycamore Springs.
This is one of those comparisons where the top line numbers look almost interchangeable, so the decision really comes down to which district philosophy, which neighborhoods, and which long term feeder path appeals to you more. I sell homes in both the Lake Travis and Dripping Springs corridors, and the communities have a genuinely different feel despite sitting only about 15 miles apart along Highway 290.
Bee Cave vs Sycamore Springs: Quick Comparison
| Bee Cave Elementary | Sycamore Springs Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (87/100) | B (87/100) |
| Enrollment | 779 students | 674 students |
| Grades | KG – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Lake Travis ISD | Dripping Springs ISD |
| Median Home Price | $895,000 | $885,000 |
| Feeds Into | Bee Cave MS → Lake Travis HS | Sycamore Springs MS → Dripping Springs 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 | Bee Cave Elementary | Sycamore Springs Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (87/100) | B (87/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (86/100) | B (86/100) |
| School Progress | B (88/100) | B (88/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (88/100) | B (88/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (85/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 779 students (KG – 05) | 674 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 19.5% | 14.8% |
| English Learners | 11.2% | 6.5% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Ok this is almost eerie. These two schools matched each other in every single domain. Student Achievement: 86 and 86. School Progress: 88 and 88. Academic Growth: 88 and 88. Closing the Gaps: 85 and 85. I have compared hundreds of school pairs and I have never seen a mirror like this. Both earned 6 of 7 distinctions. The only meaningful differences are enrollment (Bee Cave is about 100 students larger) and demographics (Bee Cave has a slightly higher economically disadvantaged rate at 19.5% vs 14.8%).
So if the scores are identical, what actually differentiates these schools? The answer is everything that happens outside the TEA report card: the district, the neighborhoods, the feeder path, and the lifestyle.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Bee Cave Elementary school page or the Sycamore Springs Elementary school page.
Bee Cave Elementary: Lake Travis ISD and the Lakeway Corridor
Bee Cave Elementary is the flagship elementary in the Bee Cave area, serving 779 students within Lake Travis ISD. The school feeds into Bee Cave Middle School and ultimately Lake Travis High School, which is one of the most recognized high school brands in the Austin metro. LTISD has a strong reputation for athletics, fine arts, and college prep, and that reputation starts at the elementary level.
The neighborhoods in the Bee Cave zone include master planned communities like Falconhead and Spanish Oaks, along with homes in the Bee Cave city core. The area has experienced significant commercial development over the last decade (the Hill Country Galleria is right there), so residents have retail, dining, and entertainment options within minutes. Bee Cave has evolved from a quiet Hill Country outpost into a thriving suburban hub, and the school reflects that growth.
Sycamore Springs Elementary: Dripping Springs and the Quiet Hill Country
Sycamore Springs Elementary serves 674 students in Dripping Springs ISD, a district that has been growing rapidly while maintaining strong academic standards. The school feeds into Sycamore Springs Middle School and then Dripping Springs High School. DSISD is smaller than Lake Travis ISD, which gives it a more intimate feel, and the district has invested heavily in new facilities as enrollment has climbed.
Dripping Springs still carries that small town Hill Country identity, even as new construction fills in along Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12. The pace of life is noticeably slower than Bee Cave’s, the commercial development is less intense, and the community has a more rural character. For buyers who want the strong school scores without the bustle of a more developed suburban corridor, Sycamore Springs delivers exactly that.
The Neighborhoods
Bee Cave’s zone covers a mature mix of communities ranging from the $600s in older sections up to multi million dollar estates in Spanish Oaks and Falconhead West. The area sits right along Highway 71 with easy access to Highway 290 and the MoPac corridor into central Austin. Commute times to downtown run 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and the exact neighborhood.
Sycamore Springs draws from newer construction developments along the Highway 290 corridor in Dripping Springs. Homes here tend to be built within the last 10 years, with modern floor plans and Hill Country inspired architecture. The median price of $885K reflects the premium that Dripping Springs commands as one of the fastest growing communities in the Austin metro. The trade off is a longer commute to central Austin (typically 35 to 50 minutes), but buyers who choose Dripping Springs usually do so because the quality of life more than compensates.
Browse all homes zoned to Bee Cave Elementary or homes zoned to Sycamore Springs Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Bee Cave Elementary if:
- You want the Lake Travis High School feeder path and the LTISD brand
- Proximity to retail, dining, and entertainment (Hill Country Galleria) matters
- You want a shorter commute to central Austin
- You value a larger, more established suburban community
You might lean toward Sycamore Springs Elementary if:
- You prefer Dripping Springs ISD’s smaller district feel
- You want newer construction homes with modern floor plans
- The quieter, more rural Hill Country pace of life appeals to you
Since the scores are literally identical (and I mean literally, down to every domain), this comparison is 100% about lifestyle. Do you want the polished suburban energy of Bee Cave or the quieter Hill Country character of Dripping Springs? Both are great choices, but they feel very different when you are living there day to day. I have helped buyers pick both, and nobody has regretted either direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
The Hill Country west of Austin has some of the best schools and neighborhoods in the entire metro, and I know this corridor better than just about anyone. I have been helping buyers choose between Bee Cave, Lakeway, and Dripping Springs for over 19 years. Lets talk about what you are looking for and find the right fit.
