Reilly vs Barrington Elementary: B vs F in North Austin

Reilly Earned a B While Barrington Fell to an F. Both Are in North Central Austin ISD.

Barrington Elementary scored a 56 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning an F. Reilly Elementary, about three miles southwest, scored an 82 and earned a B. Both campuses are in Austin ISD, both serve the north central corridor of the city, and the median home prices are not that far apart. But the academic gap between these two schools is enormous.

I get calls from buyers looking in this part of Austin all the time, and the conversation almost always starts with “which school zone am I in?” That question matters more here than in most parts of the city, because a $359,500 home zoned to Barrington and a $535,000 home zoned to Reilly are not in the same academic universe right now. And I say “right now” deliberately, because Barrington’s F rating represents a campus that is struggling, not a campus that has always struggled. But the 2025 numbers are what they are.

So lets break down the data, talk about what the neighborhoods look like, and figure out which zone makes sense for different buyers. And yes, I have opinions on this one.

Reilly 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 26 point gap between Reilly and Barrington shows up in every domain, not just the overall score. Reilly scored B or higher across Student Achievement, School Progress, Academic Growth, and Closing the Gaps. Barrington scored an F in all four. And Barrington is not eligible for TEA distinction designations because of its F rating.

Reilly is a smaller campus at 349 students versus 405 at Barrington. Both schools serve a high percentage of English Learners (Reilly at 40.7%, Barrington at 77.0%), but Reilly is managing to deliver stronger academic outcomes across the board. The one TEA distinction Reilly earned in 2025 was in Science, which is a good sign for a campus that is clearly investing in STEM instruction.

For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Reilly Elementary school page or the Barrington Elementary school page.

Reilly Elementary: Solid and Steady in Crestview

Reilly sits in one of the most desirable pockets of north central Austin. The attendance zone includes parts of Crestview, Brentwood, Northfield, and Ridgetop. These are walkable, tree lined neighborhoods with a mix of original mid century homes and new construction infill. If you know Austin at all, you know these names. They are consistently among the most in demand neighborhoods in the city.

The school itself is on the smaller side at 349 students, which often translates to a tighter campus community where teachers know students by name. A B rating with an 82 overall score is respectable, especially given that the campus serves a meaningful percentage of English Learners and economically disadvantaged students. Reilly is doing good work with the population it serves.

And the location is hard to beat. You are minutes from North Loop, the Domain, and central Austin’s best restaurants and shops. Commuters have easy access to I-35, MoPac, and 183. The Koenig Townhomes development gives buyers a newer construction option right in the zone.

Barrington Elementary: Affordable, but the Scores Are a Concern

There is no way to sugarcoat this: an F rating with a 56 overall is a significant challenge. Barrington serves the Georgian Acres and Dean Terrace neighborhoods in north Austin, areas with generous lots and honest, solid homes at price points well below the city median. The median active listing near Barrington is around $359,500, which is genuinely affordable by Austin standards.

But affordability is only part of the equation. Nearly 95% of Barrington students are economically disadvantaged and 77% are English Learners. Those numbers present real challenges for any campus, and Barrington is working through them. Buyers considering this zone should do their own research, visit the campus, and talk to current residents about the experience on the ground.

The Neighborhoods

The Reilly zone and the Barrington zone serve very different parts of north Austin despite being only a few miles apart. Reilly draws from the established, walkable neighborhoods south and west of North Lamar, places like Crestview and Brentwood where the housing stock ranges from $400K bungalows to $800K new builds. Barrington’s zone runs along the North Lamar and Rundberg corridor, where Georgian Acres and Dean Terrace offer spacious lots at more accessible prices.

The price gap is real. Reilly zone median is $535,000. Barrington zone median is $359,500. That is a $175,500 difference. For some buyers, the savings matter more than the TEA scores. For others, the academic gap is the deciding factor. Neither answer is wrong, but you should go in with your eyes open.

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

Which School Fits You?

This is one of the more straightforward comparisons in this batch, honestly.

You might lean toward Reilly if:

• TEA performance is a priority and you want a B rated campus
• You value walkable, established neighborhoods like Crestview and Brentwood
• A smaller campus (349 students) appeals to you

You might lean toward Barrington if:

• Your budget is under $400K and you need to be in Austin ISD
• Lot size matters more than school ratings in your search
• You are an investor or first time buyer looking for maximum value per square foot in north Austin
• You plan to supplement with tutoring, private school, or charter options

I am not going to pretend this is a close call on academics. Reilly is the stronger school by a wide margin. But real estate decisions involve a lot more than TEA scores, and there are absolutely buyers for whom the Barrington zone makes sense. The Georgian Acres neighborhood in particular has a lot going for it in terms of space and location. Just know what you are getting into on the school side.

Ready to Find Your Home?

North Austin has a lot of moving parts when it comes to school zones, and the boundaries can shift in ways that surprise people. I have been working this market for 19 years and would be glad to help you sort through which zone, which neighborhood, and which price point makes sense for where you are right now. Lets talk.

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