Eric Dahlstrom Middle School (Hays CISD): Buda
Eric Dahlstrom Middle School is a well-rated public middle school (grades 6-8) in Buda (78610), part of Hays CISD, serving the Johnson High attendance area. It grades A- overall with reading and math well above the district and a 13% gifted share. Here's the straight picture: the ratings, the numbers, the schools on either side of it, and what being zoned to Dahlstrom means for your home search.
Is Eric Dahlstrom Middle School a good school?
Yes, it's one of the stronger middle schools in Hays CISD. Dahlstrom grades A- overall on Niche, above the district B+, with an A- academic grade and both proficiency scores well above the Hays CISD averages: around 70% in math versus 42%, and around 76% in reading versus 52%. It carries a standout 13% gifted share, a B+ teacher grade, and is a campus of about 873 students with a 17:1 ratio in a low-need community (about 15% in the free-lunch program). For a family on the Johnson side of Buda, Dahlstrom is a real strength of the path.
Eric Dahlstrom Middle School by the numbers
| Metric | Dahlstrom Middle | Hays CISD |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade (Niche) | A- | B+ |
| Reading proficiency | 76% | 52% |
| Math proficiency | 70% | 42% |
| Gifted students | 13% | N/A |
| Academic grade (Niche) | A- | B+ |
| Students per teacher | 17:1 | 16:1 |
| Students in free lunch program | 15% | 49% |
| Total enrollment | 873 | 23,313 |
Source: Niche via RPR (Realtors Property Resource), 2026. Niche compiles the letter grades from U.S. Dept. of Education data, community reviews, and other sources, and updates quarterly. Figures change, so I confirm the current numbers when they matter to your decision.
The standout is an A- overall with both proficiency scores more than 20 points above the district and a 13% gifted share. Dahlstrom is one of the top-performing middle schools in Hays CISD.
What feeds into Dahlstrom, and where it goes next
Dahlstrom sits in the middle of the Johnson-side feeder path. Students arrive from a group of Hays CISD elementaries, and Dahlstrom then feeds into Johnson High:
Dahlstrom draws from elementaries including Elm Grove, Carpenter Hill, and Buda, and feeds up to Johnson High. Buda is split between Johnson and Jack C. Hays, and which elementary a home feeds through depends on the exact address, so I confirm the current path for any property first.
Homes in the Eric Dahlstrom Middle School zone
Dahlstrom serves the west and central side of Buda along FM 967, pulling from strong-rated communities like Whispering Hollow, Elm Grove, and old-town Buda, near I-35 and the 45 toll. It's one of the most sought-after school corners of Hays County, which shows up in the home prices. The thing to know: this side feeds Johnson, and homes can sit in a MUD or PID, so I confirm both the zone and the tax picture for the address.
Dahlstrom pairs with some of Buda's best-rated elementaries on the Johnson path, and that combination is part of what buyers are paying for on the west side of town. The town still splits between two high schools, and the tax district varies, so I confirm the exact path and the real monthly number for every address, before you're under contract.
How to confirm your address is zoned to Dahlstrom
Use Hays CISD's official boundary lookup. The district publishes a find-my-school tool where you enter an address and it returns the assigned elementary, middle, and high school. That's the source of truth, not the real estate listing, which can carry outdated school data, especially in a district growing as fast as Hays.
Or ask me. Send me an address or a west or central Buda pocket you're considering and I'll confirm the zone, pull the current middle and high school on the path, and flag anything that affects your decision.
Buying in the Dahlstrom Middle zone?
Tell me what matters most and I'll build your search around it. The path runs up to Johnson High, so start there for the high-school picture, use the Central Texas school districts guide for how the zones fit together, and the Buda relocation guide if you're moving in. When you're ready to look at homes, reach out and I'll map the zone to the right neighborhoods.
Eric Dahlstrom Middle School FAQ
What district is Eric Dahlstrom Middle School in?+
Is Eric Dahlstrom Middle School a good school?+
What high school does Dahlstrom Middle feed into?+
What elementary schools feed into Dahlstrom Middle?+
How do I find out if a home is zoned to Dahlstrom?+
Buda and Kyle are core markets for me, and the west-Buda school corner around Dahlstrom is one buyers chase. With 175+ closed deals since 2016 across South Austin, Buda, Kyle, and Bastrop, and named a FastExpert 2026 Top Agent, I help families weigh the schools against the price and the tax district.
Dahlstrom is one of the top middles in Hays CISD and feeds Johnson. I confirm the real zone and the full monthly number for every address, no guessing. If the middle-school years are on your mind, let's talk.
Last updated: September 2026. School ratings and boundaries change, so confirm the current figures and assignment for any specific address.
