Ed Neuhaus 
Travis Heights Is a B at 85. Sanchez Is an F at 52. They Are a Mile Apart in South Central Austin.
Travis Heights Elementary scored an 85 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning a solid B. Sanchez Elementary, roughly a mile west, scored a 52 and received an F. Both are in Austin ISD. Both serve south central Austin. And the 33 point TEA gap between them is one of the largest you will find between neighboring school zones anywhere in the city.
This pair is one I talk about with buyers more often than almost any other, because the neighborhoods overlap in ways that confuse people. You can be looking at a house on South First Street and assume it is in the Travis Heights zone, only to discover it is actually zoned to Sanchez. The median home prices are dramatically different too: $880,000 near Travis Heights versus $745,250 near Sanchez. So the more expensive zone also has the much better school, which in Austin is not always the case (I just wrote about Wooten and Oak Hill where the opposite is true).
Lets break down what makes these two campuses so different and what the neighborhoods actually look like for buyers.
Sanchez vs Travis Hts: Quick Comparison
| Sanchez Elementary | Travis Heights Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | F (52/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 479 students | 469 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $745,250 | $880,000 |
| Feeds Into | Fulmore MS, Travis HS | Fulmore / Lively MS, Travis 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 | Sanchez Elementary | Travis Heights Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | F (52/100) | B (85/100) |
| Student Achievement | F (47/100) | C (75/100) |
| School Progress | F (55/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | F (55/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | F (49/100) | C (77/100) |
| Enrollment | 479 students (EE – 05) | 469 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 90.2% | 61.8% |
| English Learners | 74.9% | 32.6% |
| TEA Distinctions | Not eligible (F-rated) | 2 of 7 earned |
The story in the data is the School Progress and Academic Growth scores at Travis Heights: both 89 out of 100, which is near the A range. That means the school is not just maintaining, it is actively pushing students forward at an impressive rate. The Student Achievement score of 75 (C) is the relative weak spot, but the growth metrics show the campus is closing that gap year over year.
Sanchez scored an F in every domain. Student Achievement at 47 is especially concerning. The campus serves 90.2% economically disadvantaged students and 74.9% English Learners, which are among the highest rates in the district. These numbers create enormous instructional demands, and the TEA data suggests the campus has not been able to meet them.
Travis Heights earned 2 of 7 TEA distinctions. Sanchez is not eligible for distinctions due to its F rating.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Sanchez Elementary school page or the Travis Heights Elementary school page.
Travis Heights Elementary: South Austin’s Academic Bright Spot
Travis Heights Elementary sits in one of Austin’s most iconic neighborhoods. The Travis Heights community is walkable, full of character, and minutes from South Congress, Zilker Park, and Lady Bird Lake. The school draws from a neighborhood that has been one of Austin’s most desirable addresses for generations.
The B rating at 85 overall is strong, and those School Progress and Academic Growth scores of 89 are particularly impressive. This is a campus that is moving students forward, and the 2 TEA distinctions earned in 2025 confirm that the work happening here goes beyond just maintaining. The median home price at $880,000 reflects the Travis Heights premium, which is about neighborhood prestige, walkability, and lifestyle as much as it is about the school.
Sanchez Elementary: Great Location, Tough Scores
Sanchez serves the neighborhoods west of South First Street in the South Austin corridor. The area includes parts of the Zilker Park adjacent neighborhoods and stretches south along the Manchaca Road corridor. The $745,250 median reflects Austin’s overall price floor in this central part of the city, but the school performance does not match the real estate values.
An F at 52 is difficult. The campus is dealing with one of the highest English Learner populations in Austin ISD (74.9%), and the results show a school that needs significant support. Buyers considering the Sanchez zone should be aware of the academic picture and plan accordingly.
The Neighborhoods
Travis Heights the neighborhood is one of the crown jewels of south central Austin. Tree lined streets, classic Austin bungalows alongside modern builds, and a walkability score that is hard to match anywhere else in the city. The Sanchez zone covers a broader, more mixed area west of South First, including more affordable pockets along with some premium addresses near Zilker.
The $135K price gap at the median favors Sanchez for entry point. But when you factor in the 33 point TEA gap, Travis Heights delivers dramatically more value per dollar on the school side. For buyers where both school and location matter, Travis Heights is the stronger play.
Browse all homes zoned to Sanchez Elementary or homes zoned to Travis Heights Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Travis Heights if:
- TEA performance matters and you want a B rated campus with strong growth scores
- Walkability and the Travis Heights neighborhood lifestyle are priorities
- You value a campus earning TEA distinctions
You might lean toward Sanchez if:
- You need a slightly lower price point in the south central Austin corridor
- Proximity to Zilker Park is your priority over elementary school scores
- You are buying for investment and plan to supplement academically
Travis Heights is the stronger school by a country mile. But both zones are in prime south central Austin, and the Sanchez zone has genuine location appeal. I just want every buyer to walk in with their eyes open about the academic side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
South central Austin school zones require careful attention to boundary lines, and a single block can change your school assignment. I have been helping buyers sort through exactly these kinds of decisions for 19 years. Lets connect so I can help you find the right zone for your priorities.
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