Hays County Schools & Education
Hays County, Texas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
88.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,356
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,498
School Score
33/100
Higher = better
State avg 56/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#234
of 253 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Hays County
School Verdict
Hays County faces educational challenges with a school score of 33/100 and a graduation rate of 88.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,356 per pupil, Hays County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Hays County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 41% below the Texas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Hays County, Texas
A Growing Infrastructure for 44,000 Students
Hays County manages a robust network of 59 public schools across nine districts, serving 44,362 students. The landscape includes 33 elementary schools and 9 high schools to accommodate the area's rapid growth.
Strong Graduation Rates on Lean Budgets
The county achieves an 88.9% graduation rate, surpassing the national average of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $6,356 is lower than the Texas average, the county maintains a 51.6 school score, staying competitive with national medians.
Hays CISD Leads the Local Network
Hays CISD is the largest provider with 22,297 students, while San Marcos and Dripping Springs ISDs each serve over 8,000. Charter schools are a significant factor here, accounting for nearly 17% of all campuses.
Suburban Reach with Rural Roots
While 32 schools are in rural locales, the average school size remains large at 752 students. Moe and Gene Johnson High School leads the county in size, hosting 2,692 students.
Find a Home Near Hays Schools
Families moving to this region enjoy a mix of high-performing suburban campuses and expansive rural districts. Explore local real estate to find the right educational fit for your children.
School Overview
Total Schools
59
in Hays County
Total Enrollment
44,362
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
10
17% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Hays County
HAYS CISD
SAN MARCOS CISD
DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
WIMBERLEY ISD
INSPIRE ACADEMIES
KI CHARTER ACADEMY
DORAL ACADEMY OF TEXAS
KATHERINE ANNE PORTER SCHOOL
TEXAS PREPARATORY SCHOOL
59 Public Schools in Hays County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOE AND GENE JOHNSON H S | HAYS CISD | 9–12 | High | 2,692 |
| SAN MARCOS H S | SAN MARCOS CISD | 9–12 | High | 2,536 |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS H S | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | 9–12 | High | 2,433 |
| LEHMAN H S | HAYS CISD | 9–12 | High | 2,120 |
| JACK C HAYS H S | HAYS CISD | 9–12 | High | 2,062 |
| DR T C MCCORMICK JR MIDDLE | HAYS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 1,047 |
| SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 1,019 |
| LAURA B NEGLEY EL | HAYS CISD | PK–5 | Primary | 1,007 |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS EL | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | PK–5 | Primary | 1,006 |
| MILLER MIDDLE | SAN MARCOS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 986 |
| ERIC DAHLSTROM MIDDLE | HAYS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 902 |
| WALNUT SPRINGS EL | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | PK–5 | Primary | 887 |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | 6–8 | Middle | 882 |
| GOODNIGHT MIDDLE | SAN MARCOS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 866 |
| ROOSTER SPRINGS EL | DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | PK–5 | Primary | 827 |
| WIMBERLEY H S | WIMBERLEY ISD | 9–12 | High | 822 |
| R C BARTON MIDDLE | HAYS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 816 |
| LAURA B WALLACE MIDDLE | HAYS CISD | 6–8 | Middle | 789 |
| UHLAND EL | HAYS CISD | KG–5 | Primary | 786 |
| CAMINO REAL EL | HAYS CISD | PK–5 | Primary | 782 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,356
State avg $7,498
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Hays County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Hays County?
How much does Hays County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Hays County, Texas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Hays County, Texas?
Hays County manages a robust network of 59 public schools across nine districts, serving 44,362 students. The landscape includes 33 elementary schools and 9 high schools to accommodate the area's rapid growth.
How do schools in Hays County perform academically?
The county achieves an 88.9% graduation rate, surpassing the national average of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $6,356 is lower than the Texas average, the county maintains a 51.6 school score, staying competitive with national medians.
What are the major school districts in Hays County, Texas?
Hays CISD is the largest provider with 22,297 students, while San Marcos and Dripping Springs ISDs each serve over 8,000. Charter schools are a significant factor here, accounting for nearly 17% of all campuses.
What is the school experience like in Hays County?
While 32 schools are in rural locales, the average school size remains large at 752 students. Moe and Gene Johnson High School leads the county in size, hosting 2,692 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Hays County, Texas?
Families moving to this region enjoy a mix of high-performing suburban campuses and expansive rural districts. Explore local real estate to find the right educational fit for your children.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.