Ed Neuhaus 
Danielson Scored a 96. That Is the Highest Middle School Score in Leander ISD.
Danielson Middle School earned a 96 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, one of the highest scores for any middle school in the Austin metro. Leander Middle School scored an 89, a strong B. Both sit within Leander ISD and both serve the growing communities north of Austin along the Highway 183 corridor. The 7 point gap is notable, but the real story is that a 96 puts Danielson in truly elite territory.
The median home prices are identical: $475,000 for the Danielson zone and $450,000 for Leander Middle. So for about $25,000 more, you get access to a school scoring 7 points higher and sitting at the top of the entire district. That is a value proposition most buyers do not realize exists until someone shows them the data.
Danielson vs Leander Middle: Quick Comparison
| Danielson Middle School | Leander Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (96/100) | B (89/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,094 students | 870 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Leander ISD | Leander ISD |
| Median Home Price | $475,000 | $450,000 |
| Feeds Into | Leander HS / Glenn HS | Leander HS / Glenn 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 | Danielson Middle School | Leander Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (96/100) | B (89/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (96/100) | B (88/100) |
| School Progress | A (97/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (97/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (92/100) | B (87/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,094 students (06 – 08) | 870 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 14.4% | 22.0% |
| English Learners | 5.8% | 10.1% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
Danielson’s numbers are staggering. A 97 in both School Progress and Academic Growth. A 96 in Student Achievement. And a 92 in Closing the Gaps. Those are not just A numbers, those are top of the A range. Leander Middle is no slouch at 89, but the gap here is consistent and meaningful. Both schools earned 7 of 7 distinctions, which tells you Leander Middle is still an excellent campus by any objective measure.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Danielson Middle School page or the Leander Middle School page.
Danielson: Setting the Standard
Danielson Middle School draws from strong Leander ISD elementary campuses including Bagdad, Camacho, Hisle, and Jim Plain. The school feeds into Leander High School and Glenn High School. At 1,094 students, it is a large campus that manages to deliver elite level scores, which is harder to do at scale. The 97 in Academic Growth means students are making extraordinary gains year over year.
Leander Middle: Strong B in a Great District
Leander Middle serves 870 students and feeds into the same high schools as Danielson. The 89 and B rating are strong by any standard, and the 7 of 7 distinctions confirm the school is performing at a high level across all subject areas. The slightly higher economically disadvantaged rate (22% vs 14.4%) adds context to the score gap.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones cover communities in the Leander area along Highway 183 and Crystal Falls Parkway. Danielson draws from newer developments in the northern Leander corridor. Leander Middle serves the core Leander community with a mix of established and newer construction.
Browse all homes zoned to Danielson Middle or homes zoned to Leander Middle.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Danielson if:
- You want the highest scoring middle school in Leander ISD
- A 97 in Academic Growth signals the campus culture you are looking for
- $475K median works for your budget
You might lean toward Leander Middle if:
- A B/89 with 7/7 distinctions exceeds your academic threshold
- You want a slightly lower price point at $450K
- Being in the core Leander community matters to you
Danielson at a 96 for $25K more than Leander Middle at an 89 is one of the best value propositions I have seen in this entire series. Both are strong. But if middle school academic performance is a priority, Danielson is the clear choice and the price premium is minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Leander ISD has some of the strongest middle schools in the metro. Lets find the right zone for your priorities and your budget.
