Ed Neuhaus 
The Two Most Popular Austin ISD Middle Schools for Buyers With a $300K to $600K Budget
Lamar Middle School scored a 90 on TEA and earned an A rating. Murchison Middle School scored an 88 and earned a B. Both are in Austin ISD. Both serve over 1,100 students. And both feed into strong high schools (McCallum for Lamar, Anderson for Murchison). The 2 point gap between them is practically a rounding error. So what actually separates these two campuses?
Price. The median home price in the Lamar zone is $298,900. The median in the Murchison zone is $627,000. That is a $328,000 difference for a 2 point TEA gap. And before you ask, yes, that is real. Lamar Middle pulls from some of the most affordable neighborhoods in central Austin, while Murchison draws from the Allandale, Rosedale, and upper North Austin neighborhoods that carry a significant premium. The schools are nearly identical on paper. The neighborhoods could not be more different.
This is one of the comparisons I bring up most with first time buyers in Austin who assume they need to spend $600K to get into a good middle school zone. You do not. Lets look at why.
Lamar vs Murchison: Quick Comparison
| Lamar Middle School | Murchison Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (90/100) | B (88/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,109 students | 1,209 students |
| Grades | 6 through 8 | 6 through 8 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $298,900 | $627,000 |
| Feeds Into | McCallum HS | Anderson 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 | Lamar Middle School | Murchison Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (90/100) | B (88/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| School Progress | B (87/100) | B (84/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (87/100) | B (84/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (85/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,109 students (6 through 8) | 1,209 students (6 through 8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 22.2% | 26.8% |
| English Learners | 10.6% | 15.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
These two campuses are remarkably similar across every TEA domain. Closing the Gaps is identical at 85. School Progress and Academic Growth are separated by just 3 points each (87 vs 84). Student Achievement is the largest gap at 3 points (92 vs 89). Both earned all 7 TEA distinctions. Both serve large student bodies of over 1,100. The demographic profiles are close too, with Murchison actually having a slightly higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (26.8% vs 22.2%) and English Learners (15.9% vs 10.6%). On the data alone, there is almost no daylight between these schools.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Lamar Middle School page or the Murchison Middle School page.
Lamar: An A Rated Campus at an Under $300K Median
Lamar Middle School sits near the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Justin Lane in central Austin. The campus serves 1,109 students and feeds into McCallum High School, which is one of the more well rounded high schools in Austin ISD with strong fine arts, CTE, and academic programs. McCallum also has the Fine Arts Academy, which draws students from across the district.
The A rating at 90 is the headline, but the 92 in Student Achievement is what really stands out. That is the highest Student Achievement score among the mid to large middle schools in Austin ISD, and it means students at Lamar are performing exceptionally well on state assessments. The all 7 distinctions round out a picture of a school that is delivering results across every measurable dimension.
And the price. A $298,900 median puts the Lamar zone in reach for buyers who might otherwise assume they cannot afford a top rated Austin ISD middle school. The neighborhoods are older, the homes are smaller, and some of them need work. But the school data is outstanding.
Murchison: The North Central Austin Standard
Murchison Middle School is in the Allandale and Rosedale corridor, one of the most established and desirable residential areas in Austin. The campus has 1,209 students and feeds into Anderson High School, which has a strong academic reputation and a larger enrollment. The B rating at 88 with all 7 distinctions is exactly what buyers in this price range expect, and Murchison has been a consistent performer for years.
The $627,000 median reflects the premium neighborhoods that feed into Murchison: Allandale, Rosedale, and the surrounding areas north of 45th Street. These are tree lined streets, mid century homes, highly walkable corridors, and one of the most active social scenes in north central Austin. The premium is for the neighborhood as much as the school.
The Neighborhoods
Lamar’s zone covers parts of the Crestview, Brentwood, and North Austin neighborhoods along the Lamar Boulevard corridor. The $298,900 median makes this one of the most affordable central Austin school zones for a top rated campus. The housing stock is mostly 1950s through 1970s homes, many of which have been updated, along with some condos and townhomes. The area is close to the Domain, the North Burnet corridor, and is walkable to restaurants and shops along Lamar and Burnet Road.
Murchison draws from Allandale, Rosedale, Highland Park, and the neighborhoods between MoPac and Shoal Creek. The $627,000 median gets you into a mid century home with mature trees, a fenced yard, and walkable access to some of the best neighborhoods in Austin. The premium is real, but so is the lifestyle.
Browse all homes zoned to Lamar Middle School or homes zoned to Murchison Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
This is a neighborhood decision, not a school decision. The TEA data is nearly identical.
You might lean toward Lamar if:
- A $298,900 median puts you in a dramatically more affordable price range
- You want an A rated middle school (90/100) that actually edges out Murchison on paper
- The McCallum High School pathway with its Fine Arts Academy appeals to you
- You prefer the Crestview and North Burnet corridor vibe
You might lean toward Murchison if:
- The Allandale and Rosedale neighborhoods are where you want to live
- The Anderson High School pathway is your preferred option
- You are willing to pay the $328,000 premium for the neighborhood character and location
I will say this as directly as I can: the $328,000 price gap is not buying you better school data. Lamar scored higher. Both earned all 7 distinctions. The premium is for the neighborhood, and that is a perfectly valid reason to pay more. But if you are a buyer who cares about school performance and is budget conscious, Lamar is one of the best value propositions in all of Austin ISD. Full stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Finding the right middle school zone in Austin ISD is one of the smartest moves a buyer can make. I have been matching buyers with school zones for 19 years, and comparisons like Lamar vs Murchison are exactly the kind of thing that saves people real money. Lets connect and I will show you what is available.
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