Best School Districts in Texas (2026 Rankings + Home Prices)

Choosing where to live in Texas isn’t just about home prices and commute times anymore - it’s about quality of education, future opportunities, and community well-being. In 2025, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) finally released its long-awaited A–F accountability ratings after a delay caused by legal challenges, giving families clear insight into how districts are performing statewide.

Across Texas, these A–F ratings measure student achievement, school progress, and how well districts are closing performance gaps - all key indicators families use when evaluating where to raise their children. But not all regions look the same. For example, the San Antonio area saw a higher share of F-rated schools than anywhere else in the state, with only a slim majority of campuses earning passing marks under nonprofit rankings. Meanwhile, other Texas metros such as Houston and North Texas reported substantial pockets of A-rated districts with strong academic growth.

But families comparing top districts should also weigh safety data alongside school ratings - see how crime trends overlap with top-rated zones in our guide to safest places to live in Texas.

In other words:

• School ratings matter. They influence where families choose to live, where home demand rises, and how fast property values appreciate.
• Accountability data is now public. For the first time in years, parents can compare districts side by side using consistent statewide benchmarks.
• Not all districts perform equally. Some leading Texas districts consistently deliver top academic outcomes year after year; others are still improving.

Below is a 2026 snapshot of the top-ranked public school districts in Texas based on the latest TEA ratings and educational performance data - combined with the real-world cost of living there.

And if affordability is driving your shortlist, compare how school zones align with pricing tiers in our breakdown of affordable places to live in Texas to spot high-growth pockets before they spike.

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Below is a 2026 snapshot of the top-rated Texas school districts based on TEA accountability ratings, academic performance, and housing data - merged with real affordability math.

Estimates include principal, interest, and property taxes. HOA/insurance not included.

Before choosing between a $600K vs. $900K district, review what your payment actually looks like using our 400K mortgage payment guide to understand how rate shifts impact affordability.

The answer starts with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability rating system, which assigns A–F grades for Texas schools based on measurable performance data.

Here’s how Texas school districts ratings are calculated:

The STAAR exam measures:

• Math & reading proficiency
• Grade-level mastery
• Graduation rates

Higher STAAR scores → Higher accountability grades.

This tracks:

• Year-over-year student improvement
• How well schools help struggling students catch up

Some districts earn high marks not just for top scores - but for rapid improvement.

TEA measures:

• SAT/ACT performance
• AP participation
• Dual-credit completion
• Industry certifications

Districts strong in readiness typically attract higher-income buyers.

While safety isn’t its own standalone letter grade, attendance, discipline data, and operational performance influence district scoring and community perception.

In short: Grades for Texas schools aren’t just academic labels. They’re market signals.

Here’s where it becomes financial.

When a district earns an A rating:

• Homes sell faster (strong resale velocity)
• Lenders view properties as lower risk
• Appraisers justify higher comps
• Buyers compete more aggressively

Let’s anchor this with real math:

If two similar homes exist:

• Home A in an A-rated district: $550,000
• Home B in a C-rated district: $495,000

That’s a $55,000 premium - often driven primarily by school boundaries.

Now multiply that across appreciation cycles.

Over 5 years at 5% growth:

• A-rated district: ~$702,000
• C-rated district: ~$631,000

That’s a $71,000 equity difference.

Not because of granite countertops.

Because of school zoning.

• But if you buy into a lower-rated district and appreciation lags, you may not build enough equity to move up without adding cash.
• School choice today affects mobility tomorrow.

Below is a 2026 breakdown including TEA rating, median home price, tax rate, and estimated monthly payment (10% down, 7% rate).

• TEA Rating: A
• Median Price: ~$900,000
• Tax Rate: ~1.4%
• Est. Monthly: ~$5,950
• FHA? Unlikely (price ceiling issues)
• Conventional Sweet Spot: 15–20% down
• Best For: Executive buyers prioritizing prestige + resale dominance

• TEA Rating: A
• Median Price: ~$650,000
• Tax Rate: ~1.7%
• Est. Monthly: ~$4,350
• FHA? Possible on entry homes
• Conventional: 10–15% ideal
• Best For: DFW Airport corridor professionals

• Median: ~$800,000 | Monthly: ~$5,300
• Tight inventory, strong college-readiness metrics
• Best For: Long-term appreciation play

• Median: ~$650,000 | Monthly: ~$4,400
• Growth corridor north of Frisco
• Best For: Buyers betting on expansion

• Median: ~$600,000 | Monthly: ~$4,050
• Strong resale velocity
• Best For: Balanced lifestyle + growth

• TEA Rating: B/A mix
• Median: ~$475,000
• Monthly: ~$3,300
• FHA Friendly? Yes
• Best For: Buyers wanting strong schools under $500K

• Median: ~$450,000
• Monthly: ~$3,150
• FHA? Yes
• Best For: First-time buyers upgrading from renting

• Difference between Carroll ISD and Wylie ISD?

• ~$2,800 per month.
• That’s $33,600 per year.

But A-rated prestige districts often sell faster and appraise stronger.

Every year you wait in North Texas growth corridors = buying at a higher base price next cycle.

Before buying in Frisco or Prosper, explore hyper-local market trends in Frisco TX real estate to understand appreciation velocity and resale timing.

If you're comparing McKinney or nearby suburbs for better entry pricing, our guide to McKinney TX real estate breaks down inventory trends and buyer demand patterns.

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• TEA: A
• Median: ~$475,000
• Tax Rate: ~2.2%
• Monthly: ~$3,450
• Income Needed (~30% DTI): ~$138K household
• FHA? Yes

• Median: ~$400,000
• Monthly: ~$3,050
• Income Needed: ~$122K
• Strong entry-level A-rated option

• Median: ~$425,000
• Monthly: ~$3,150
• Expanding suburban inventory

• Median: ~$450,000
• Monthly: ~$3,300
• Diverse campuses + strong college readiness

• Median: ~$375,000
• Monthly: ~$2,900
• FHA Sweet Spot: Yes
• Budget-friendly A/B mix

Highland Park-level prestige = $8K+/mo.

Klein ISD = under $3K/mo.

That’s a $60K per year difference in cash flow.

If you're targeting Katy or Cypress-Fairbanks, review property tax math carefully - our breakdown of Texas property tax shows how higher values affect long-term holding costs.

And for buyers considering The Woodlands corridor, our guide to The Woodlands TX real estate highlights resale performance and demand strength in master-planned communities.

• Median: ~$250,000
• Monthly (VA 0% down): ~$1,950
• Property Tax Exemptions: Available for disabled veterans
• Best For: Active-duty relocation stability

• Higher-rated pocket near Fort Cavazos

• Median ~$300,000

• VA-friendly pricing

For military families:

• VA loans = no down payment
• Competitive rates
• Tax exemptions can reduce holding costs

Even a $300/month tax savings = $3,600 per year retained.

Prequalification isn’t optional in competitive school zones - it’s the difference between touring homes and actually winning one when offers start coming in.

Below are districts combining solid TEA performance + entry-level affordability + FHA feasibility.

• TEA Rating: A/B mix
• Median Entry Homes: ~$325,000
• Tax Rate: ~2.3%
• Est. Monthly (10% down, 7%): ~$2,650
• Best For: First-time buyers wanting Houston access without Katy pricing

Compared to Katy ISD at ~$475K, you’re saving roughly $1,000/month — that’s $12,000 per year retained.

• Median Entry Homes: ~$340,000
• Monthly: ~$2,750
• Large district with strong campus options
• High resale stability due to size + reputation

• Median: ~$315,000
• Monthly: ~$2,550
• Rapid population growth corridor
• Sweet Spot: Buyers priced out of Frisco/Prosper

• Median: ~$340,000
• Monthly: ~$2,750
• Strong suburban expansion
• Consistent B+/A campus performance

• Median: ~$330,000
• Monthly: ~$2,700
• One of the last affordability pockets near Austin
• Popular with tech workforce spillover

Here’s the anchor:

• That’s a $3,000–$5,000 monthly difference.
• Or up to $60,000 per year in preserved cash flow.

But here’s the opportunity:

• These districts are where appreciation often accelerates first - because affordability attracts migration.
• Wait too long, and today’s $325K entry point becomes $365K next year.

Here’s what owning actually looks like across top Texas districts - assuming:

• 10% down
• 7% interest rate
• Property taxes included
• FHA = 3.5% down + MIP
• Conventional = 10% down

Estimates include principal + interest + property taxes. Insurance/HOA vary.

Choosing between:

• Carroll ISD at ~$6,000/month
• Klein ISD at ~$2,650/month

That’s a $3,350 monthly difference.

Or over $40,000 per year in cash flow.

Over 5 years?

• That’s $200,000+ retained or reallocated.

Now flip it:

Higher-tier districts often experience:

• Faster resale velocity
• Stronger appraisal premiums
• Lower lender risk

Choosing one of the best school districts in Texas isn’t just about grades.

It’s about:

• Stronger resale velocity
• Higher appraisal stability
• Long-term equity growth
• Demand that doesn’t disappear in market slowdowns

The difference between buying in an A-rated district vs. an average zone can mean tens of thousands in appreciation spread over time.

But here’s the part most buyers overlook:

You can improve your financial position at closing - not just years later.

When you purchase a home using a reAlpha real estate company, you may be eligible to receive up to 1% of the home’s purchase price back as a credit at closing.

On a $500,000 home, that’s up to:

• → $5,000 back.

If you also finance through reAlpha Mortgage, that benefit can increase to up to 1.5% back.

On the same $500,000 purchase:

→ Up to $7,500 returned to you.

That’s money that can help offset:

• Property taxes
• Closing costs
• Rate buydowns
• Moving expenses
• Upfront reserves
• Without changing your loan terms.
• Without increasing your monthly payment.
• Most buyers focus on negotiating $10,000 off the list price.

But reclaiming up to 1.5% at closing can be more predictable - and doesn’t depend on seller concessions.

In competitive school zones, that edge matters.

Because when homes in top districts receive multiple offers, flexibility wins.

Every year you delay in a high-demand Texas school district:

• Prices adjust upward
• Inventory tightens before enrollment
• Monthly payments shift with rates

Even a 5% home price increase on a $500,000 property adds $25,000 to your entry cost.

That’s money you can’t negotiate back later.

If you’re serious about buying in a top-rated Texas school district:

• Explore homes.
• Check your buying eligibility.

Because the right district doesn’t just educate your children. It can compound your net worth.