Ed Neuhaus 
Baldwin Scored a 91. Bear Creek Scored a 93. Two A Rated Austin ISD Elementaries in the Southwest Hill Country.
Bear Creek Elementary scored a 93 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Baldwin Elementary scored a 91. Both are A rated campuses in Austin ISD, both serve the far southwest Austin corridor where the city meets the Hill Country, and the gap between them is just 2 points. When both schools are this strong, the comparison shifts from academics to neighborhoods, price points, and lifestyle.
The price difference is more interesting than the TEA difference. Baldwin has a median around $1,097,500. Bear Creek sits at $899,000. That is almost a $200K gap for schools that are 2 points apart on TEA. The Baldwin zone commands a premium that is about neighborhood character and specific addresses, not school performance.
Baldwin vs Bear Creek: Quick Comparison
| Baldwin Elementary | Bear Creek Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 582 students | 508 students |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $1,097,500 | $899,000 |
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 | Baldwin Elementary | Bear Creek Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (93/100) | A (93/100) |
| School Progress | B (86/100) | A (91/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (86/100) | A (91/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (82/100) | C (76/100) |
| Enrollment | 582 students (EE – 05) | 508 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 13.7% | 5.5% |
| English Learners | 12.0% | 15.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 2 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
Student Achievement is identical at 93 for both. Bear Creek edges out Baldwin in School Progress and Academic Growth (both 91 vs 86). But Baldwin flips the script on Closing the Gaps, scoring an 82 (B) compared to Bear Creek’s 76 (C). That is a 6 point advantage for Baldwin in the equity domain, and it earned Baldwin 2 TEA distinctions while Bear Creek earned zero. So Baldwin actually outperforms on the metrics that measure how well a school reaches every student.
For the full breakdown, visit the Baldwin Elementary page or the Bear Creek Elementary page.
Bear Creek Elementary: Higher Overall, Strong Growth
Bear Creek serves 508 students in the far southwest Austin corridor. The A at 93 with A scores in School Progress and Academic Growth (both 91) shows a campus that is actively pushing students forward. The $899,000 median reflects the premium Hill Country location. The school draws from some of Austin’s most scenic neighborhoods along the Slaughter Lane and MoPac corridors.
Baldwin Elementary: More Distinctions, Better Equity Scores
Baldwin at 582 students is slightly larger and posted the stronger Closing the Gaps score at 82, earning 2 TEA distinctions in the process. The $1,097,500 median is about $200K higher, reflecting the premium neighborhoods in the Baldwin zone. For buyers who care about the equity metrics (how well the school serves all student groups), Baldwin has the edge despite the lower overall score.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones are in far southwest Austin where the city transitions into the Hill Country. Baldwin draws from some of the more upscale addresses in this corridor. Bear Creek draws from well established communities at a slightly lower price point. Both zones have access to MoPac, Slaughter Lane, and the outdoor recreation that makes this part of Austin special.
Browse all homes zoned to Baldwin or homes zoned to Bear Creek.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Bear Creek if:
- You want the higher overall TEA score (93 vs 91)
- A lower entry point ($899K vs $1.1M) matters at this price level
- Stronger School Progress and Academic Growth scores appeal to you
You might lean toward Baldwin if:
- Closing the Gaps performance (82 vs 76) and TEA distinctions (2 vs 0) are priorities
- The specific Baldwin zone neighborhoods fit your lifestyle
- You want a campus that earns distinctions for reaching every student group
You cannot go wrong with either one. Both are A rated, both are in beautiful parts of southwest Austin, and both feed into strong Austin ISD secondary campuses. The 2 point overall gap is noise. Pick the neighborhood you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Southwest Austin’s Hill Country corridor has some of the best school zones in the city. I have been helping buyers find their perfect home here for 19 years. Lets connect and find yours.
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