Ed Neuhaus 
One Sits in the Heart of South Austin. The Other Anchors the Zilker/Tarrytown Corridor. The Score Gap Is 11 Points.
Murchison Middle School posted an 88 on its 2025 TEA accountability rating, a solid B. Lively Middle School came in at 77, a C. Both serve Austin ISD communities, but Murchison draws from some of the most expensive real estate in central Austin while Lively covers a broader, more affordable swath of south Austin. The median home price in the Murchison zone is $627,000 compared to $729,000 at Lively, which is actually the opposite of what you might expect based on the scores alone.
Wait. The lower scoring school has the higher median price? Yes. And that is because the Lively zone includes neighborhoods like Barton Hills and parts of Zilker that command huge premiums based on location, lifestyle, and proximity to Barton Springs. The school score is only one factor in what drives home prices, and this comparison proves that point better than almost any other pair in Austin ISD.
I work with buyers in both zones constantly. Lets break down what the data shows and why the price versus score relationship here is not as straightforward as it seems.
Lively vs Murchison: Quick Comparison
| Lively Middle School | Murchison Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (77/100) | B (88/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students | 1,209 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $729,000 | $627,000 |
| Feeds Into | Bowie HS / Crockett 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 | Lively Middle School | Murchison Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (77/100) | B (88/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (76/100) | B (86/100) |
| School Progress | C (78/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (78/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (75/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students (06 – 08) | 1,209 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 50.1% | 17.3% |
| English Learners | 22.3% | 5.8% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
Murchison leads by 10 points in Student Achievement and 11 points in both School Progress and Academic Growth. The gap is consistent across all domains. But both schools earned 7 of 7 TEA distinctions, which means Lively is delivering strong results at the subject level despite the lower overall score. That distinction count is important, do not overlook it.
The demographic difference is significant. Lively has 50.1% economically disadvantaged students compared to just 17.3% at Murchison. English learners make up 22.3% at Lively versus 5.8% at Murchison. When you account for those demographic differences, Lively’s 7 of 7 distinctions become even more impressive. The school is doing a lot with a more challenging student population and still hitting every individual subject benchmark.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Lively Middle School page or the Murchison Middle School page.
Lively Middle: Where Barton Hills Meets South Austin
Lively serves a wide slice of south Austin, pulling from iconic neighborhoods like Barton Hills, Becker, and Davis. The school feeds into both Bowie High School and Crockett High School. The Bowie pipeline is a major draw, and the neighborhoods closest to Barton Springs and Zilker Park are what push the median price above Murchison’s despite the lower TEA score.
At 910 students, Lively is a moderately sized campus with strong extracurricular programming and a community that reflects the diversity of south Austin. The 7 of 7 distinctions are a real talking point here. When I sit down with buyers who are worried about the C rating, I pull up the distinction data and the conversation changes. This school is performing well in ways the headline letter grade does not capture.
Murchison Middle: Northwest Austin’s Academic Anchor
Murchison Middle School is one of the larger campuses in Austin ISD at 1,209 students, and it feeds into Anderson High School, which is consistently one of the top rated high schools in the district. The school draws from northwest Austin neighborhoods including Anderson Mill, Laurel Mountain, and Pond Springs. The 88 overall score and B rating place it solidly in the upper tier of Austin ISD middle schools.
The feeder path from Murchison to Anderson High is one of the most sought after in central Austin, and it helps explain why the zone attracts buyers who prioritize academics across the full K through 12 experience. The median home price of $627K is actually lower than what you might expect for this level of academic performance, partly because the Anderson Mill area has more affordable housing stock than the central Austin core.
The Neighborhoods
Lively’s neighborhoods are a mix of character and premium. Barton Hills offers mid century homes near Zilker with prices that reflect the location. The broader south Austin neighborhoods in the zone provide more affordable options with newer construction and larger lots. The range is wide, from the $400s in far south Austin up to well over $1M near Barton Springs.
Murchison’s zone covers the Anderson Mill and northwest Austin corridor, where you will find established homes from the 1980s and 1990s alongside updated builds. The area is more suburban than Lively’s zone, with wider streets, mature landscaping, and a quieter pace. The $627K median reflects solid housing stock without the location premium that inflates prices in central and south Austin.
Browse all homes zoned to Lively Middle or homes zoned to Murchison Middle.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Lively if:
- You want to live in south Austin near Barton Springs, Zilker, or the South Lamar corridor
- Access to the Bowie High School feeder path is important
- The 7 of 7 distinctions outweigh the C letter grade in your evaluation
You might lean toward Murchison if:
- The highest possible middle school TEA score in your budget range is a priority
- You want the Anderson High School feeder path
- You prefer northwest Austin’s more suburban character at a lower median price
- A lower economically disadvantaged rate matters to your decision
This is genuinely a lifestyle decision more than an academic one. Both schools earned every distinction. Murchison has the better overall score. But Lively puts you in the heart of what makes Austin, Austin. I have had buyers choose both directions and feel great about it, the deciding factor is almost always which part of town feels like home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Whether you are drawn to the energy of south Austin or the established neighborhoods of the northwest, I can help you find the right fit. I have been selling homes across Austin for over 19 years and I know these zones inside and out. Lets connect and figure out what works for you.
