Ed Neuhaus 
Eanes ISD vs Austin ISD: When the Lower Rated School Costs More
Valley View Elementary scored a 87 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning a B. Zilker Elementary scored a 89, earning a B. Both serve the greater Austin metro area, and buyers comparing these two zones will find that the differences go well beyond the headline numbers. The neighborhoods, the price points, and the long term school pathways each tell their own story.
Both campuses are in Eanes ISD and Austin ISD respectively. The median home price near Valley View sits around $1,100,000, while Zilker’s zone comes in at $725,000. That price context matters as much as the TEA scores when you are making a real estate decision, and I have found that most buyers care about both.
I have been helping buyers navigate school zones across the Austin area for 19 years, and comparisons like this one come up in my conversations all the time. So lets dig into the data and figure out what it actually means for your home search.
Valley View vs Zilker: Quick Comparison
| Valley View Elementary | Zilker Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (87/100) | B (89/100) |
| Enrollment | 272 students | 506 students |
| Grades | KG through 5th | EE through 5th |
| District | Eanes ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $1,100,000 | $725,000 |
| Feeds Into | Hill Country MS and Westlake HS | Lively MS and Austin 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 | Valley View Elementary | Zilker Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (87/100) | B (89/100) |
| Student Achievement | A/91 | A/93 |
| School Progress | B/83 | B/87 |
| Academic Growth | B/83 | B/87 |
| Closing the Gaps | C/77 | B/81 |
| Enrollment | 272 students (KG through 5th) | 506 students (EE through 5th) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 7.4% | 21.5% |
| English Learners | 4.4% | 2.2% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 2 of 7 earned |
The performance data reveals meaningful differences between these two campuses. Valley View posts a B overall at 87 while Zilker comes in at B with a 89. The demographic context matters here: Valley View serves 7.4% economically disadvantaged students and 4.4% English Learners, compared to 21.5% and 2.2% at Zilker. Those numbers shape how we should interpret the raw scores.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Valley View school page or the Zilker school page.
Valley View: What Buyers Should Know
Valley View serves 272 students in KG through 5th as part of Eanes ISD. The campus earned a B rating (87/100) from TEA in 2025, with 0 of 7 earned for distinctions. The median home price in the zone sits around $1,100,000, and the feeder pattern leads to Hill Country MS and Westlake HS. For buyers considering this zone, the combination of school performance, price point, and neighborhood character all factor into the decision.
The Eanes ISD reputation gives this campus a foundation that extends beyond any single year’s TEA results. District wide resources, consistent leadership, and community engagement all contribute to the educational experience students receive on this campus.
Zilker: What Buyers Should Know
Zilker enrolls 506 students in EE through 5th within Austin ISD. The campus posted a B rating (89/100) in 2025 with 2 of 7 earned in the distinctions column. At a $725,000 median, the zone offers a more accessible price point compared to Valley View. The feeder pathway goes through Lively MS and Austin HS.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones offer distinct neighborhood experiences. The Valley View zone at $1,100,000 median and the Zilker zone at $725,000 median reflect different segments of the local market. Whether you prioritize school ratings, price accessibility, neighborhood character, or commute convenience, understanding both options lets you make a decision grounded in real data rather than assumptions.
Browse all homes zoned to Valley View or homes zoned to Zilker.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Valley View if:
- The B rating at 87/100 meets your expectations for school performance
- The $1,100,000 median price point fits your budget
- The Hill Country MS and Westlake HS feeder pathway aligns with your long term plans
You might lean toward Zilker if:
- The B rating at 89/100 better matches what you are looking for
- The $725,000 price point and neighborhood character appeal to you
- The Lively MS and Austin HS pathway is the right fit for your situation
Every buyer weighs these factors differently, and there is no single right answer. What I can tell you after 19 years in this market is that the best home purchase is the one where you understand all the trade offs before you sign. These two zones offer genuinely different propositions, and knowing which one aligns with your priorities is the first step toward making a confident decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
I have been helping buyers compare school zones across the Austin metro for 19 years, and I know these neighborhoods at a level that only comes from doing this every single day. Whether you are narrowing down between these two zones or exploring the broader market, lets connect and figure out the right fit for your situation.
