Zavala vs Wooten Elementary: C vs F in North Austin ISD

Zavala Scored a 76. Wooten Scored a 49. For North Austin Buyers Under $600K, That Gap Matters.

Wooten Elementary earned the lowest TEA score in this comparison at 49 out of 100, a hard F. Zavala Elementary, about two miles south in the same Austin ISD, scored a 76 and held a C rating. Neither school is going to make a highlight reel, but a 27 point gap between two campuses this close together in north Austin is worth understanding if you are shopping this market.

Here is what I find interesting about this pair. The Wooten zone has a median home price around $610,000. The Zavala zone comes in at about $494,500. So the more expensive zone has the dramatically worse school score. That is the kind of disconnect that catches buyers off guard, and it happens more often in Austin than you would think. The Wooten zone commands higher prices because of its proximity to the Domain and Crestview corridor, not because of the school.

I have been selling in north Austin for a long time, and I can tell you that school zone awareness is the number one thing that separates informed buyers from surprised ones. Lets walk through the numbers.

Zavala vs Wooten: 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.

Both campuses serve high percentages of economically disadvantaged students (89.5% and 91.2%), but Wooten also has 71.7% English Learners compared to Zavala’s 22.3%. That combination creates enormous instructional challenges. Wooten scored an F in every single domain, with Academic Growth at just 50 out of 100. Zavala managed Cs in School Progress, Academic Growth, and Closing the Gaps, with the only D coming in Student Achievement at 65.

Zavala is a tiny campus at 229 students. That small size can be an advantage in building relationships and targeting intervention. The school is making progress, even if the scores are not yet in B territory. Wooten, at 272 students, is also small but facing deeper academic struggles.

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

Zavala Elementary: Small, Scrappy, and Improving

Zavala is one of the smallest elementary campuses in Austin ISD at 229 students, and it serves a neighborhood east of I-35 in the East Austin corridor. The campus has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (89.5%), but the TEA data shows Cs across three of four performance domains. That suggests a school that is working hard with the resources it has. The C in Closing the Gaps (72) is actually a respectable score for a campus serving this population.

The neighborhoods around Zavala are in the path of East Austin’s ongoing transformation. Prices have risen significantly in this corridor over the past decade, and the $494,500 median reflects that growth. Buyers here are getting proximity to downtown, the Mueller development, and the East Austin restaurant and arts scene.

Wooten Elementary: Domain Adjacent, But Struggling Academically

Wooten sits near one of Austin’s hottest commercial corridors, the Domain and North Burnet area. The neighborhood has seen enormous investment over the past decade, with new apartments, restaurants, and retail transforming the landscape. That is why the median home price sits at $610,000 despite the F rated school. People are buying the location and the growth trajectory, not the school score.

But the school score is what it is. A 49 overall is near the bottom of Austin ISD. The 71.7% English Learner population is one of the highest in the district, and the campus is clearly struggling to meet the instructional demands of that student body. For buyers who prioritize school performance, the Wooten zone presents a real tension between a great location and a weak elementary campus.

The Neighborhoods

The Zavala zone sits in East Austin with access to I-35, Mueller, and downtown. The Wooten zone sits near the Domain with access to MoPac, 183, and the North Burnet commercial corridor. Both are well connected, but the vibe is completely different. Zavala’s neighborhood feels more residential and authentic. Wooten’s neighborhood feels more urban and growth oriented.

The $115,500 price difference at the median favors Zavala for value. You get a C rated school at $494,500 versus an F rated school at $610,000. For school focused buyers, that is a clear win for Zavala. For buyers who want to be near the Domain and are less focused on elementary school ratings, Wooten’s location has its own appeal.

Browse all homes zoned to Zavala Elementary or homes zoned to Wooten Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward Zavala if:

• You want the higher TEA score at a lower price point
• A small campus (229 students) appeals to you
• East Austin location and proximity to Mueller and downtown matter

You might lean toward Wooten if:

• Proximity to the Domain and North Burnet corridor is your top priority
• You are less focused on elementary TEA scores
• You plan to use private school or charter options

From a pure school perspective, Zavala is the better option. A 27 point TEA advantage at a significantly lower price. But I understand that for some buyers, the Domain corridor location is worth paying a premium even with a weaker school. Just go in with realistic expectations about the elementary campus.

Ready to Find Your Home?

North Austin school zones do not always line up with neighborhood desirability the way buyers expect. I have spent 19 years helping people understand these kinds of tradeoffs. Lets set up a conversation so I can help you find the right balance of location, school, and price.

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