Ed Neuhaus 
If you’re researching schools in the Austin area, Lake Travis ISD has probably landed on your radar. There’s a reason for that. This district consistently ranks among the best in Texas, and as someone who lives, works, and serves on the board of the Lake Travis Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC), I can tell you the reputation is earned.
Here’s what families moving to the area need to know about Lake Travis schools and why the district attracts buyers from across the country.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Lake Travis ISD earned an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2024-25, scoring 90 out of 100 points. That puts the district in elite company. Of the 11 campuses in the district, seven received “A” ratings and four received “B” ratings. No underperformers.
The graduation rate? 97.7% of the Class of 2023 received their diplomas on time or early. The dropout rate sits at just 0.9%. Those numbers reflect a district that keeps students engaged from kindergarten through graduation.
SchoolDigger ranks Lake Travis ISD 50th out of 961 Texas school districts. That’s top 5% statewide. For families relocating from other states, this context matters. Texas has some of the largest and most competitive school districts in the country. Lake Travis holds its own against all of them.
Lake Travis High School: Where It All Comes Together
Lake Travis High School is the flagship campus, and the performance data backs up its reputation.
The school ranks #170 out of 1,974 Texas public high schools according to SchoolDigger. That means Lake Travis High School outperforms 91.4% of high schools in the state. U.S. News ranks it #171 in Texas and #1,501 nationally.
Here’s what I find more telling than rankings: 65% of seniors take at least one AP exam during their high school career. 52% of those students score 3 or higher. That’s college credit earned before graduation. That’s money saved on tuition. That’s students arriving at university ahead of the curve.
Average SAT scores come in at 1,154. Average ACT scores hit 25.4. Both exceed state and national averages.
The football program has won multiple state championships. The fine arts programs compete at the highest levels. But the academic foundation is what drives long-term outcomes for students. Championships are great. College acceptance letters pay the bills.
New Leadership, Fresh Energy
2025 brought significant leadership changes to Lake Travis ISD, and the early results are promising.
Dr. Curtis Null took over as Superintendent in June 2025. He came from Conroe ISD near Houston, where he led Texas’s seventh-largest school district. We’re talking 73,000 students and over 10,000 employees. He started his career at The Woodlands High School in 2000 and worked his way up through principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent before taking the top job in Conroe.
When Lake Travis ISD went looking for leadership, they recruited someone who had already proven he could manage complexity at scale. That matters for a growing district.
James “Buddy” Bush joined as principal of Lake Travis High School in July 2025. He previously ran Grand Oaks High School in Spring, Texas, leading a 6A campus of 3,900 students. Under his leadership, the school saw academic gains and increased Advanced Placement participation.
If you’ve been on social media lately, you might have seen Principal Bush’s viral video from December 2025. He delivered school announcements using Gen Z slang, and the video hit nearly 400,000 views. It’s a small thing, but it shows a principal who understands how to connect with students. That kind of engagement translates to a campus culture where kids actually want to show up.
Beyond Academics: Programs That Support Every Student
Here’s something that matters deeply to me personally: Lake Travis ISD provides comprehensive support for students with special needs.
The district offers a full continuum of specially designed instructional supports and services for students with disabilities. Whether a student has an IEP or a 504 plan, the Special Services Department works with families to determine appropriate accommodations through the ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) committee process.
The Lake Travis SEPAC exists to bridge the gap between parents and the district on special education matters. I serve on the board because I’ve seen firsthand how this kind of parent involvement improves outcomes. The group runs programs like the Spark Grant, which provides up to $250 for projects, materials, or resources that directly enhance instruction for special education students.
Not every district has this level of organized parent involvement in special education. Lake Travis does. For families with children who need additional support, this infrastructure matters.
The Communities That Feed Into Lake Travis Schools
Lake Travis ISD covers a significant geographic area west of Austin. Understanding the communities helps you narrow down where to focus your home search.
Lakeway is the most established community in the district. You’ll find everything from starter homes to lakefront estates. The town has its own municipal services, parks, and commercial districts. Most Lakeway addresses feed directly into Lake Travis schools.
Bee Cave sits along Highway 71 and has seen explosive growth over the past decade. The Hill Country Galleria provides high-end retail and dining. Homes here tend to be newer construction with modern floor plans.
Spicewood offers more rural character with larger lots and Hill Country views. If you want acreage and don’t mind a longer commute, this area delivers.
The common thread across all these communities: families move here specifically for the schools. That buyer motivation supports property values across the district.
What Lake Travis Schools Mean for Real Estate
School districts drive real estate markets. This isn’t opinion. It’s documented in every study on residential property values.
Homes in top-rated school districts command premium prices. They also hold value better during market downturns. When you buy in Lake Travis ISD, you’re buying into a school system that consistently performs. That performance translates to sustained buyer demand.
I’ve helped families relocate to homes zoned to Lake Travis ISD for over 15 years. The pattern repeats: families research schools, identify Lake Travis as their target district, then work backward to find the right neighborhood and home. The schools lead. The real estate follows.
For investors, this dynamic creates stability. Rental demand stays strong because tenants with school-age children prioritize districts exactly like Lake Travis. Owner-occupants and investors both benefit from the same fundamentals.
The Lifestyle Factor
Lake Travis isn’t just about test scores. The area offers a quality of life that complements the educational environment.
Lake Travis itself provides 270 miles of shoreline for boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation. The Hill Country landscape means hiking, biking, and outdoor activities are part of daily life. The communities maintain a suburban feel while sitting just 20-30 minutes from downtown Austin’s tech employment centers.
Families moving from California, Colorado, or the Northeast often cite this combination as the deciding factor. Strong schools, outdoor lifestyle, no state income tax, and reasonable cost of living compared to coastal metros. The package works.
Questions Families Ask Me About Lake Travis Schools
“How competitive is enrollment?”
Lake Travis ISD is a public school district. If you live within the boundaries, your children attend. No application process, no lottery. Buy a home in the district, and you’re in. That’s why the real estate connection matters so much.
“Are the schools diverse?”
The district has grown more diverse as Austin’s overall population has expanded. You’ll find families from across the country and around the world, many drawn by the tech industry. The district publishes demographic data on their accountability page for those who want specifics.
“What about growth and crowding?”
Lake Travis ISD has managed growth through strategic bond programs and new campus construction. The district watches enrollment trends and builds capacity ahead of demand. This isn’t a district playing catch-up. They plan proactively.
“How do I verify school zoning for a specific address?”
Before making an offer on any home, verify the school assignment. District boundaries can follow street lines. The Lake Travis ISD website has a boundary lookup tool, or you can call the district directly. I always recommend double-checking rather than assuming.
Making the Move
If Lake Travis schools are driving your relocation decision, the next step is understanding the real estate market in the district.
Inventory varies by price point and community. Entry-level homes in the $400,000-$600,000 range move quickly. Mid-range homes from $600,000-$1,000,000 offer the most selection. Luxury properties above $1,000,000 provide larger lots, custom builds, and waterfront options.
The market responds to interest rates and economic conditions like anywhere else. But the school district creates a floor of demand that other areas don’t have. Families will pay a premium for Lake Travis schools. That’s been true for decades, and nothing suggests it will change.
Ready to Explore Lake Travis?
I’ve lived in this community, worked this market, and committed personal time to organizations like SEPAC because I believe in what Lake Travis ISD delivers for families. The district earns its reputation every year through results.
If you’re considering a move to the area, browse homes zoned to Lake Travis ISD to see what’s currently available. For specific questions about neighborhoods, school boundaries, or the buying process, reach out directly. I’m happy to share what I know.
The schools are the foundation. The lifestyle is the bonus. And the real estate? That’s where I can help you put it all together.
