Ed Neuhaus 
Two F Rated Austin ISD Schools, a $66K Price Gap, and the Same North Austin Corridor
Brown Elementary scored a 59 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Barrington Elementary scored a 56. Both are F rated campuses in Austin ISD, both serve the north Austin corridor, and the gap between them is just 3 points. When both schools are failing, the comparison shifts from “which is better” to “what else should you know about these zones before buying.”
Brown has a median home price around $425,000. Barrington comes in at about $359,500. That $66K difference reflects different neighborhood characters, not different academic outcomes (because the academic outcomes are essentially the same). Both schools serve high percentages of economically disadvantaged students and English Learners, and both are dealing with the academic challenges that come with those populations.
I want to be straight with you on this one. If school performance is your primary driver, neither of these zones is going to satisfy. But if you are buying in north Austin for other reasons (price, location, investment potential), understanding what you are choosing between matters.
Brown vs Barrington: Quick Comparison
| Brown Elementary | Barrington Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | F (59/100) | F (56/100) |
| Enrollment | 495 students | 405 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $425,000 | $359,500 |
| Feeds Into | Burnet / Webb MS, Reagan / LBJ HS | Burnet MS, Reagan 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 | Brown Elementary | Barrington Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | F (59/100) | F (56/100) |
| Student Achievement | F (43/100) | F (52/100) |
| School Progress | F (57/100) | F (54/100) |
| Academic Growth | F (57/100) | F (54/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | F (44/100) | F (54/100) |
| Enrollment | 495 students (EE – 05) | 405 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 97.0% | 94.8% |
| English Learners | 77.4% | 77.0% |
| TEA Distinctions | Not eligible (F-rated) | Not eligible (F-rated) |
Both schools scored an F in every domain. Neither is eligible for TEA distinctions. The numbers are remarkably similar: both serve roughly 95% or more economically disadvantaged students and 77% English Learners. Brown actually has a slightly lower Student Achievement score (43 vs 52) and Closing the Gaps score (44 vs 54), meaning Barrington is technically performing a bit better in those domains despite having the lower overall score. The overall rating calculation weights the domains differently.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Brown Elementary school page or the Barrington Elementary school page.
Brown Elementary: Higher Price, Slightly Better Growth Scores
Brown Elementary serves neighborhoods along the North Lamar and Rundberg corridor in north Austin. The campus has 495 students and is dealing with significant academic challenges. The 43 in Student Achievement is one of the lowest in the district. But the School Progress and Academic Growth scores of 57, while still an F, suggest the campus is making some incremental progress with its students year over year.
The Brown zone has a $425,000 median, which puts it in the more affordable tier of Austin ISD but higher than the Barrington zone. The neighborhoods tend to be slightly closer to the commercial activity along Burnet Road and the North Loop area.
Barrington Elementary: Lowest Price, Similar Challenges
Barrington at $359,500 median is one of the most affordable entry points into Austin ISD. The Georgian Acres and Dean Terrace neighborhoods offer generous lots and solid homes at prices that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. But the school performance mirrors Brown’s at the F level across every domain.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones are in the North Lamar and Rundberg corridor. Brown is slightly further south with better proximity to the Crestview and Brentwood areas. Barrington stretches further north toward the Georgian Acres community. Both have good access to I-35, MoPac via Anderson Lane, and the employment centers along Research Boulevard.
Browse all homes zoned to Brown Elementary or homes zoned to Barrington Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Brown if:
- You want to be closer to the Burnet Road and North Loop corridors
- The slightly higher School Progress scores matter to you
- Your budget can reach the $425K range
You might lean toward Barrington if:
- You need the lowest possible entry point in north Austin ISD
- Georgian Acres lot sizes and neighborhood character appeal to you
- You are buying primarily for investment at the best value per square foot
I am not going to pretend either school is a selling point right now. Both are F rated, and buyers in these zones are making their purchase decisions based on other factors: price, location, lot size, investment potential. That is ok. Not every home purchase is driven by elementary school performance. But if it is, you should be looking at other zones in Austin ISD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
North Austin has options at every price point and every school performance level. If you want help finding the right zone for your priorities, I have been doing this for 19 years and know every corner of these neighborhoods. Lets connect.
Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
