Ed Neuhaus 
Same District, Different Neighborhoods: Cypress Springs and Sycamore Springs
I get asked about Cypress Springs Elementary and Sycamore Springs Elementary more than you would think. Both are in Dripping Springs ISD, and buyers want to know which zone is the better call. TEA gave Cypress Springs Elementary a A (91/100) and Sycamore Springs Elementary a B (87/100). Lets dig in.
Both schools are part of Dripping Springs 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 Cypress Springs Elementary school page or the Sycamore Springs Elementary school page.
Cypress Springs Elementary vs Sycamore Springs Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Cypress Springs Elementary | Sycamore Springs Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | B (87/100) |
| Enrollment | 697 students | 674 students |
| Grades | PK – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Dripping Springs ISD | Dripping Springs ISD |
| Median Home Price | $1,042,400 | $885,000 |
| Feeds Into | See school page | 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 | Cypress Springs Elementary | Sycamore Springs Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | B (87/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | A (90/100) | B (82/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (90/100) | B (82/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (89/100) | C (77/100) |
| Enrollment | 697 students (PK – 05) | 674 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 1.4% | 3.1% |
| English Learners | 4.6% | 1.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
The biggest standout in this comparison is School Progress, where Cypress Springs Elementary scored 90/100 compared to 82/100 at Sycamore Springs Elementary. That 8 point gap is significant and speaks to the overall trajectory of the campus relative to similar schools.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Cypress Springs Elementary school page or the Sycamore Springs Elementary school page.
Cypress Springs Elementary: A Closer Look at This Dripping Springs ISD Campus
Cypress Springs Elementary is one of the standout campuses in Dripping Springs ISD, a district that has earned a strong reputation across the Austin metro for academic excellence, engaged educators, and deep community support. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country of Hays County, this school serves a zone that includes a rich variety of communities, from established neighborhood subdivisions to sprawling ranch properties with open skies and generous acreage.
Cypress Springs Elementary earned a A (91/100) from TEA, which puts it among the stronger campuses in Dripping Springs 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 Hawkridge, Parten Ranch, Silver Spur Ranchettes. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Cypress Springs Elementary is one of those campuses where you can feel the community investment the moment you drive through the neighborhood. The homes hold their value well here, and resale demand stays consistent.
Sycamore Springs Elementary: A B Rated Campus in Dripping Springs ISD
Sycamore Springs Elementary is one of the standout campuses in Dripping Springs ISD, a district that has built a remarkable reputation for academic excellence across the Texas Hill Country. The school serves a community that genuinely values education, outdoor living, and a small-town character that is increasingly rare this close to Austin.
With a B rating (87/100) from TEA, Sycamore Springs Elementary sits in the middle tier of Dripping Springs 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 Driftwood, Creek of Driftwood, Dripping Springs. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.
Students at Sycamore Springs Elementary feed into Sycamore Springs Middle School and then Dripping Springs High School. That feeder path matters to buyers who are thinking long term about their kids’ educational trajectory.
The numbers here speak for themselves. A 87/100 from TEA puts Sycamore Springs Elementary 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. The Cypress area has a median around $1,042,400, while the Sycamore zone comes in closer to $885,000. That $157,400 gap reflects differences in neighborhood age, lot size, finishes, and overall demand. Both are in Dripping Springs 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 Cypress Springs Elementary or homes zoned to Sycamore Springs Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
Every buyer has a different set of priorities. Here is how I would think about it.
You might lean toward Cypress Springs Elementary if:
- TEA scores are a top priority and you want the higher rated campus
- You are comfortable at the $1,042,400 price point and want the neighborhoods that come with it
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Cypress Springs zone
You might lean toward Sycamore Springs Elementary if:
- You are looking for more accessible pricing near $885,000
- The Dripping Springs High School feeder path matches your long term plans
- You value what the Sycamore Springs 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 Cypress Springs zone against the Sycamore Springs 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.
