Ed Neuhaus 
Two of Austin ISD’s Highest Scoring Elementaries Share the Bowie High School Pipeline
Kiker Elementary scored a 93 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Baldwin Elementary scored a 91. Both earned A ratings in Austin ISD, both feed into Gorzycki Middle School and then Bowie High School, and both serve the premium southwest Austin corridor. The median home price near Baldwin is $1,097,500 while Kiker comes in at $777,500, a $320,000 gap between two schools that are just two TEA points apart.
So what is driving that $320K price difference? It is the neighborhoods. Baldwin draws from the Barton Creek and Lost Creek corridor where estate homes on large lots command Austin ISD’s highest prices. Kiker serves the Circle C and Shady Hollow area where you get strong suburban communities at a more accessible (but still premium) price point. Both deliver an exceptional elementary experience. The question is where you want to live and what you want to spend.
Baldwin vs Kiker: Quick Comparison
| Baldwin Elementary | Kiker Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 582 students | 748 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $1,097,500 | $777,500 |
| Feeds Into | Gorzycki / Small MS → Bowie / Austin HS | Gorzycki MS → Bowie HS |
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 | Kiker Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| School Progress | B (88/100) | A (94/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (88/100) | A (94/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (93/100) | B (87/100) |
| Enrollment | 582 students (EE – 05) | 748 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 6.0% | 8.5% |
| English Learners | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Kiker leads in School Progress and Academic Growth by 6 points each (94 vs 88), meaning students at Kiker are making faster year over year gains. But Baldwin leads in Closing the Gaps at 93 vs 87, which measures how well the school serves all student groups. Both earned 6 of 7 distinctions. These are two of the best elementary schools in Austin ISD, and the differences between them are more about nuance than any clear advantage.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Baldwin Elementary page or the Kiker Elementary page.
Baldwin: Barton Creek Elegance
Baldwin Elementary serves the Barton Creek and Lost Creek corridor, where homes regularly sell above $1M and estate properties push well beyond $2M. The school has a small but affluent student body (6% economically disadvantaged). Baldwin feeds into both Gorzycki and Small Middle Schools, with Bowie and Austin High as the high school destinations.
Kiker: Circle C and the Southwest Corridor
Kiker serves 748 students in the Circle C and Shady Hollow area of southwest Austin. The campus is a consistent top performer and the 94 in Academic Growth places it among the very best in the district for student progress. Kiker feeds directly into Gorzycki Middle and Bowie High, the same pipeline as Baldwin but at a significantly lower price point.
The Neighborhoods
Baldwin’s zone features estate homes, country club living, and the natural beauty of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This is premium southwest Austin at its finest.
Kiker draws from Circle C Ranch, one of Austin’s most popular master planned communities, along with surrounding neighborhoods that offer spacious homes in the $600K to $1M range. The area has pools, parks, trails, and a community feel that residents love.
Browse all homes zoned to Baldwin or homes zoned to Kiker.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Baldwin if:
- The Barton Creek lifestyle and estate home scale are what you want
- Budget is not the primary constraint
- The 93 Closing the Gaps score reflects values you prioritize
You might lean toward Kiker if:
- You want the higher TEA score at $320K less
- Circle C’s master planned amenities and community feel appeal to you
- A 94 in Academic Growth signals exactly the kind of campus culture you value
Both schools are phenomenal. But Kiker’s 93 overall at $777K versus Baldwin’s 91 at $1.1M makes a pretty compelling case for where the value is. You are paying $320K more for a school that scores two points lower. That extra money buys a Barton Creek address and the lifestyle that comes with it, which is worth it for some buyers. But purely on the academics and the dollars, Kiker wins this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Southwest Austin has the strongest elementary school options in all of Austin ISD. Lets find the right zone and the right home for your budget. I have been helping buyers in this corridor for 19 years.
