Oak Springs vs Zavala Elementary: East Austin Schools Compared (2025 TEA)

Two East Austin Elementaries on Very Different Trajectories

Zavala Elementary earned a C on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Oak Springs Elementary received an F. Both schools are in Austin ISD, both serve east Austin communities that have been at the center of the city’s most dramatic transformation over the last decade, and both face challenges that wealthier campuses across the district simply do not encounter. The gap between them tells a real story about where each school stands right now (Texas Tribune Schools Explorer).

Important context: In November 2025, Austin ISD approved a state-mandated turnaround plan that includes closing Oak Springs Elementary along with six other campuses. Students from Oak Springs will transfer to other AISD schools (KUT, November 2025). Any buyer evaluating the Oak Springs zone today needs to factor in that the campus itself is being phased out.

East Austin real estate has changed almost beyond recognition. New construction, new residents, and new commercial development have reshaped these blocks, but the school populations have not shifted at the same pace as the housing stock. Understanding that disconnect is essential for anyone buying in east Austin today.

Oak Springs vs Zavala Elementary: Quick Comparison

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 2024-2025 accountability cycle, per the Texas Tribune Schools Explorer.

Oak Springs received an F across the board on the 2025 rating cycle, with D grades on School Progress and Closing the Gaps. That overall F is what triggered the AISD board’s November 2025 vote to close the campus. Zavala’s C rating reflects a campus that is operating at a steady but modest level for its demographics, with consistent C and D marks across the measured domains. Both schools serve extremely high percentages of economically disadvantaged students (97.7% at Oak Springs, 90.6% at Zavala).

For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Oak Springs Elementary school page or the Zavala Elementary school page.

Oak Springs: Gentrifying Neighborhoods, Closing Campus

The Oak Springs zone covers some of the most rapidly transforming blocks in east Austin. New townhomes and modern builds sit alongside older properties that have been in the same hands for decades. The school population has not changed at the same rate as the housing stock. Many newer residents choose charter schools or private options, which means Oak Springs primarily served the community that was here before the development boom.

With the November 2025 closure vote, the practical question for buyers is no longer what the Oak Springs campus offers, but which AISD campus students will be reassigned to. AISD has not finalized all reassignment zones at the time of this writing. Buyers in this zone should confirm the receiving campus with AISD before relying on school zoning as a buying factor.

Zavala Elementary: A Long-Standing East Austin Campus

Zavala sits in the eastern edge of the Austin ISD footprint and has been a community anchor for decades. The campus serves 202 students and a heavily Hispanic enrollment (66.3%). The C rating is modest, but Zavala remains operational and is not part of the November 2025 closure list, which itself is meaningful context in this part of east Austin.

The neighborhoods around Zavala are a mix of long established residences, newer infill projects, and the creative energy that has always defined east Austin. The market here prices homes more on location and housing stock than on school quality, which is true across most of 78702.

The Neighborhoods

Both zones sit in the part of east Austin where change is visible on every block. Coffee shops and taco trucks share sidewalks. New construction rises next to bungalows that have been there since the 1950s. The energy is real but so is the tension between the old neighborhood and the new one taking its place. Buyers who love east Austin love it for the authenticity and proximity to downtown, not for the school ratings.

Browse all homes zoned to Oak Springs Elementary or homes zoned to Zavala Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward the Zavala Elementary zone if:

• You want a campus that is currently operating and not part of the AISD closure list
• The east Austin location works for your commute or lifestyle
• You plan to enroll in AISD rather than evaluating private or charter options

If you are looking in the Oak Springs zone:

• Understand that the Oak Springs campus is approved for closure per the November 2025 AISD turnaround plan
• Confirm the receiving AISD campus before treating school zoning as a decision factor
• This zone may make sense for buyers focused on the real estate itself or planning to evaluate school options separately

I am going to be direct here. The biggest news between these two campuses is that Oak Springs is being closed. If school performance and continuity is a significant factor in your home buying decision, that is the headline. Zavala is operating and rated C. Oak Springs is rated F and approved for closure. Buyers need to go in with clear eyes about what they are getting at each zone and plan accordingly.

Ready to Find Your Home?

East Austin is one of the most complex markets in the city, and school zones add another layer to an already nuanced decision. I have been working in Austin real estate for over 19 years, and I can help you understand exactly what you are buying into with each zone. Lets have an honest conversation about your priorities. Reach out and lets sort through it together.

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