Ed Neuhaus 
Zilker Elementary Gets a B. Dawson Gets an F. They Are Three Miles Apart.
Zilker Elementary scored an 89 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning a solid B. Dawson Elementary, barely three miles southeast, scored a 58 and received an F. That is a 31 point gap between two Austin ISD elementary schools that share the same part of south Austin. And the median home prices are closer than you would expect: $725,000 near Zilker and $785,000 near Dawson.
Yes, you read that right. The higher priced zone has the lower rated school. Welcome to south Austin real estate, where neighborhood desirability and school performance do not always move in the same direction. Dawson’s zone benefits from proximity to some of the most sought after addresses in the city, but the school itself has struggled. Zilker’s zone is equally desirable and the school is performing at a completely different level. For buyers comparing these two zones, the school data should be a major factor in the conversation.
Zilker vs Dawson Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Zilker Elementary | Dawson Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (89/100) | F (58/100) |
| Enrollment | 506 students | 196 students |
| Grades | KG – 05 | PK – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $725,000 | $785,000 |
| Feeds Into | Austin ISD MS then HS | Austin ISD MS then 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 | Zilker Elementary | Dawson Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (89/100) | F (58/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (91/100) | F (56/100) |
| School Progress | B (87/100) | D (65/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (85/100) | D (64/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (90/100) | F (45/100) |
| Enrollment | 506 students (KG – 05) | 196 students (PK – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 21.5% | 83.2% |
| English Learners | 2.2% | 31.1% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | Not eligible (F-rated) |
The contrast here is severe. Zilker earned an A in both Student Achievement (91) and Closing the Gaps (90), which means the school is not only performing well overall but doing so across all student groups. Dawson’s Closing the Gaps score of 45 is the lowest mark on this chart and one of the weakest in Austin ISD. The demographic gap between these schools is enormous (21.5% vs 83.2% economically disadvantaged, 2.2% vs 31.1% English learners), and that context is essential for understanding why the scores look the way they do. But the numbers are the numbers, and buyers need to factor them into their decisions.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Zilker Elementary school page or the Dawson Elementary school page.
Zilker Elementary: The South Austin Standard
Zilker Elementary is one of those Austin ISD campuses that consistently shows up on “best schools” lists, and the data backs it up. The school benefits from an extremely engaged parent community, strong PTA support, and a neighborhood that has invested in the campus for generations. The Zilker neighborhood itself is one of the most iconic in the city, within walking distance of Zilker Park, Barton Springs, and the south Lamar corridor that has become one of Austin’s most vibrant commercial districts.
At 506 students, Zilker is big enough to offer a full range of programming but small enough that the campus still feels personal. The school’s 6 of 7 TEA distinctions and consistent B to A range performance make it one of the most reliable elementary options in all of Austin ISD.
Dawson Elementary: A Small Campus Facing Big Challenges
Dawson serves just 196 students, making it one of the smallest elementary campuses in the district. The school’s population is 83.2% economically disadvantaged and nearly a third are English learners. These are real challenges that shape every aspect of campus life, and the F rating reflects the difficulty of achieving strong test outcomes when students face significant barriers outside the classroom.
The neighborhoods around Dawson have seen significant development and price appreciation, but the school has not benefited from the same demographic shift that has pushed home values up. Many new residents in the zone choose alternative schooling options, which reinforces the gap between neighborhood wealth and campus resources. It is a pattern that repeats across several Austin ISD zones in gentrifying areas.
The Neighborhoods
Zilker’s zone covers one of the most walkable and culturally rich parts of Austin. Tree lined streets, local restaurants, proximity to the hike and bike trail, and a genuine sense of community identity that has survived decades of growth and change. Homes here tend to be older bungalows and mid century properties, many of which have been extensively renovated or rebuilt.
Dawson’s zone includes parts of south Austin where new construction townhomes and condos have filled in rapidly. The price point reflects the location more than the school, and buyers should be aware of that dynamic. At $785,000 median, you are paying for south Austin proximity to downtown, not for school performance.
Browse all homes zoned to Zilker Elementary or homes zoned to Dawson Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Zilker Elementary if:
- School performance is a priority and you want a consistently strong Austin ISD campus
- The Zilker Park neighborhood lifestyle is what drew you to south Austin
- You value an active, engaged school community with strong PTA support
You might lean toward Dawson Elementary if:
- You are buying primarily for the location and real estate investment potential
- You plan to evaluate school options independently from your home purchase
This is one of those comparisons where the data speaks clearly. Zilker is the stronger school by every measure, and it costs less in median home price. If school quality matters to you, Zilker is the obvious choice between these two. Dawson’s F rating is a serious concern, and buyers in that zone should plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
South Austin school zones are some of the most misunderstood in the city, and the gap between home price and school performance catches a lot of buyers off guard. I have been helping people navigate these neighborhoods for over 19 years, and I can make sure you understand exactly what you are buying into. Lets talk. Get in touch and we will sort through it together.
