Pickle vs Barrington Elementary: Same Score, Very Different High Schools

Two F Rated Elementaries, Two Miles Apart, and Two Very Different High School Destinations

Pickle Elementary scored a 56 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA report. Barrington Elementary scored a 56. Exactly the same overall number, both rated F, both in Austin ISD, and both located within a couple of miles of each other in north central Austin. Median home prices are within $6,000 of each other too.

So if the scores are identical and the prices are nearly the same, what is the difference? The feeder patterns. And they could not be more different. Pickle feeds into Austin ISD’s early college high school network where students earn free college credit. Barrington feeds into LASA, one of the most prestigious public high schools in the entire country. That divergence at the high school level is the real story here.

Pickle vs Barrington: 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 2025 accountability cycle.

The enrollments are virtually identical (406 vs 405) and the student population profiles are strikingly similar. Where they differ is in the domains. Pickle does better in School Progress and Academic Growth (60 vs 54 in both), which measure year over year campus improvement. Barrington does significantly better in Closing the Gaps (62 vs 46), which measures how well the school supports its most at risk students. Neither earned TEA distinctions.

Both campuses held B ratings in 2022 (Pickle at 84, Barrington at 68 with a special designation). The parallel decline is striking and suggests systemic factors rather than campus specific issues. For full breakdowns visit the Pickle school page or the Barrington school page.

Pickle: St. Johns Character and an Early College Pipeline

Pickle Elementary is named after congressman J.J. “Jake” Pickle and sits in the heart of northeast Austin. The St. Johns neighborhood is the zone’s anchor, with classic Austin bungalows, updated ranch homes, and a street grid that gives the area genuine walkable character.

The feeder pattern sends students to Dobie or Webb Middle School, then to one of three early college high schools: Eastside, Navarro, or Northeast. The early college model is one of Austin ISD’s genuine innovations. Students can earn up to 60 college credit hours (sometimes a full associate degree) tuition free while completing their high school diploma. That kind of opportunity changes the math on higher education costs in a meaningful way.

Barrington: LASA Feeder and North Lamar Corridor

Barrington’s zone covers Georgian Acres, Dean Terrace, and Mockingbird Hill. These are established north Austin neighborhoods with mid century homes, generous lots, and the settled feel of communities that have been here for decades. The North Lamar Boulevard corridor nearby offers walkable access to independent businesses, restaurants, and the kind of civic energy that defines real Austin.

The headline here is the LASA feeder. The Liberal Arts and Science Academy is consistently ranked among the top 10 public high schools in Texas and regularly appears on national rankings. The curriculum is built around rigorous academics, critical thinking, and college prep at a level that sends graduates to selective universities. For buyers who prioritize where the feeder pattern ends up, the LASA destination is an extraordinary asset at this price point.

The Neighborhoods

Both zones sit in north central Austin with easy access to the North Lamar corridor, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, and major employment centers. The neighborhoods share a similar mid century character and price range. St. Johns (Pickle zone) has a slightly more walkable, urban feel. Georgian Acres and Dean Terrace (Barrington zone) offer quieter residential streets with larger lot sizes.

Browse all homes zoned to Pickle Elementary or homes zoned to Barrington Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward Pickle if:

• The early college high school pathway and free college credits are a priority
• St. Johns neighborhood character and walkability appeal to you
• School Progress and Academic Growth trends (D vs F) suggest more campus momentum

You might lean toward Barrington if:

• The LASA high school feeder is the most important factor in your home search
• Georgian Acres and Dean Terrace’s larger lots and established character fit your lifestyle
• Stronger Closing the Gaps performance (62 vs 46) matters to your evaluation

Ok so here is the honest truth. Both campuses are struggling at the elementary level and the scores reflect that. But the high school feeders are genuinely remarkable in both cases. This is a rare situation where the elementary data tells one story and the K through 12 arc tells a completely different one. If you are buying for the long game and thinking about high school outcomes, both zones offer something extraordinary in an Austin ISD school zone under $260K.

Ready to Find Your Home?

North central Austin under $260K with paths to LASA or free college credits. The elementary data is what it is, but the long game here is genuinely compelling.

Schedule a consultation with Ed Neuhaus at Neuhaus Realty Group. Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.