Bastrop, TX Schools Guide: BISD, Ratings & What Parents Need to Know (2026)

Bastrop ISD Overview: Size, Ratings & Demographics

Bastrop Independent School District (BISD) serves the city of Bastrop and surrounding areas with 13,010 students across 16 campuses. It's a mid-sized district with a tight-knit community feel — small enough that teachers know your kid's name, large enough to offer competitive academics, athletics, and extracurriculars.

Here's the snapshot:

• Total enrollment: 13,010 students
• Campuses: 16 (2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 11 elementary schools, 1 alternative campus)
• Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1
• On-time graduation rate: 97.5% (Class of 2023)
• TEA accountability rating: C (2024-25), improved 10 points from prior year
• Financial rating: Superior (Dec 2025)

Bastrop ISD is growing steadily as more families move to the area from Austin, Houston, and Dallas. The district has invested heavily in facilities, technology, and teacher retention over the past five years, and it shows. New subdivisions like The Colony have brought new families and resources, pushing the district toward higher performance benchmarks.

TEA A-F Rating: Where BISD Stands in 2025–26

Texas uses an A–F accountability system to rate school districts based on student achievement, school progress, and closing achievement gaps. Bastrop ISD received a C rating for 2024-25, improving 10 points from the previous year.

What does that mean for parents?

• C is average. BISD is meeting state standards and showing improvement, but it's not a top-tier academic district (yet).
• Upward trajectory. The 10-point improvement signals strong district leadership and investment in curriculum and support services.
• Targeting B in 2026. BISD has publicly stated its goal to achieve a B rating in the next accountability cycle. The district is hiring experienced teachers, expanding AP and dual-credit offerings, and focusing on early literacy interventions.

Bastrop High School: What Students and Parents Say

Bastrop High School (BHS) is the district's flagship campus, serving students in central and south Bastrop with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students.

Academics

• AP participation rate: 29% (well above state average for similar-sized schools)
• Dual-credit offerings: Partnership with Austin Community College for college credit while in high school
• CTE programs: Welding, automotive tech, healthcare science, culinary arts, and ag science

Athletics & Extracurriculars

BHS competes in UIL 5A athletics with strong programs in football, basketball, baseball, and track. The school also offers band, choir, theater, robotics, FFA, and a competitive debate team. Friday night football is a community event — expect packed stands and genuine school spirit.

Parent Feedback (What We Hear)

• Positive: "Teachers know my kid's name." "Smaller than our old school in Austin, but way more supportive." "The principal responds to emails same-day."
• Areas for improvement: "Wish there were more AP courses." "Some facilities are older and could use updates."

Cedar Creek High School: The Newer Alternative

Cedar Creek High School serves the northern and eastern parts of the district, including the growing Cedar Creek community. It's slightly smaller than BHS (~1,000 students) and offers a similar range of academics and extracurriculars.

Key highlights:

• Newer campus: Built in 2008, facilities are modern and well-maintained
• Strong CTE programs: Construction trades, ag mechanics, computer science
• Tight-knit community: Many families describe Cedar Creek HS as having a "family atmosphere" with high parent involvement

Cedar Creek High School is ideal for families buying in the northern parts of Bastrop County or near Lake Bastrop. Check your attendance zone before you buy — some neighborhoods are zoned to BHS, others to Cedar Creek HS, and knowing which can affect your decision.

Elementary Schools: Campus-by-Campus Breakdown

BISD operates 11 elementary schools across the district, each serving specific attendance zones. Here's a quick overview of the major campuses:

• Bastrop Elementary: Central Bastrop, historic downtown area. Diverse student body, strong arts programs.
• Cedar Creek Elementary: North Bastrop County, near Lake Bastrop. Newer facilities, tight-knit community.
• Red Rock Elementary: South of Bastrop, rural setting. Small class sizes, ag-focused community.
• Bluebonnet Elementary: Growing area near The Colony subdivision. Modern campus, high enrollment growth.

Each campus follows the same BISD curriculum, but campuses differ in size, facilities, and community feel. If you have young children, we recommend visiting campuses during your home search to see which environment feels right.

Private & Charter School Options Near Bastrop

While most Bastrop families choose BISD, there are private and charter school alternatives for families seeking different educational philosophies or curricula.

Private Schools

• Bastrop Christian Academy: K-12 Christian private school, small class sizes, traditional curriculum
• St. Paul Catholic School (Smithville): ~20 minutes from Bastrop, Catholic education K-8

Charter Schools

A new charter school opened inside The Colony subdivision in 2024, offering a STEM-focused curriculum with smaller class sizes and extended school days. Enrollment is open to all Bastrop County residents, with priority given to students within the subdivision.

Austin-area private schools (St. Michael's, St. Andrew's, Regents) are also options if you're willing to make the 30-minute drive for drop-off and pickup.

How School Zones Affect Where You Should Buy

This is critical: Bastrop has two high schools, and your home address determines which one your child attends. Some neighborhoods are zoned to Bastrop High School, others to Cedar Creek High School. There are no open-enrollment exceptions unless you move mid-year.

Here's what you need to know before you buy:

• Check the zone first. Use the BISD school locator tool on the district website or ask your real estate agent to verify before making an offer.
• Elementary zones matter too. If you have young children and prefer a specific elementary campus, make sure your prospective home is in the right attendance zone.
• New subdivisions = new zones. The Colony, for example, has its own elementary school (Bluebonnet) and feeds into Bastrop High School. Zones can shift as new campuses open, so ask the district for the latest boundary maps.

BISD Financial Health: Superior Rating Explained

In December 2025, Bastrop ISD received a Superior rating for financial accountability from the Texas Education Agency — the highest possible rating. What does this mean for parents and homebuyers?

• Fiscal stability: The district is well-managed, debt is under control, and reserves are healthy.
• Consistent funding: BISD isn't at risk of budget cuts, teacher layoffs, or program reductions.
• Long-term planning: The district has the financial capacity to invest in facility upgrades, technology, and teacher pay increases without raising taxes dramatically.

A Superior financial rating is a strong signal that BISD is positioned for long-term success. It's one of the reasons we're bullish on Bastrop as a long-term real estate investment — when schools are stable and improving, home values follow.

Frequently Asked Questions