Ed Neuhaus 
Both Feed Into Akins High School, But Baranoff Has a 3 Point TEA Edge
Baranoff Elementary scored an 86 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Casey Elementary came in at 83. Both earned B grades, both sit in south Austin within Austin ISD, and both feed into Akins High School after middle school. Three points on a 100 point scale is barely a rounding error, so why bother comparing them at all?
Because the median home prices tell a different story. Baranoff’s zone sits at about $515,000 while Casey’s zone is around $417,490, a gap of nearly $100,000. And that price difference is not buying you a better school. It is buying you a different neighborhood. That is the kind of insight that saves buyers real money, and I have been having this exact conversation with people for years.
So lets look at what three TEA points and $100,000 actually mean on the ground in south Austin.
Baranoff vs Casey: Quick Comparison
| Baranoff Elementary | Casey Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| Enrollment | 808 students | 544 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $515,000 | $417,490 |
| Feeds Into | Bailey MS, Akins HS | Bedichek MS, Akins 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 | Baranoff Elementary | Casey Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| School Progress | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (86/100) | B (83/100) |
| Enrollment | 808 students (EE – 05) | 544 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 14.1% | 32.2% |
| English Learners | 5.8% | 15.1% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
Three points across every domain. That is about as close as two B rated schools can get without being identical. What jumps out is the demographic difference: Casey has 32.2% economically disadvantaged students compared to Baranoff’s 14.1%. For Casey to score within 3 points of Baranoff despite serving a significantly different student population is, frankly, a credit to the staff at Casey. This is one of those cases where the raw numbers do not tell the full story.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Baranoff Elementary school page or the Casey Elementary school page.
Baranoff Elementary: Established and Consistent
Baranoff is the larger campus at 808 students, and it has a long track record as one of the stronger elementary schools in south Austin ISD. The neighborhoods feeding Baranoff include parts of Cherry Creek and Sendera, with homes mostly from the late 1980s and 1990s. The school held an A rating as recently as 2023 before settling into the B range. At $515,000, the zone commands a premium that reflects both the school’s reputation and the desirability of the established neighborhoods.
Casey Elementary: The Value Play With Real Teeth
Casey serves 544 students from neighborhoods along the Manchaca corridor, and the school quietly delivers strong results. The median home price of $417,490 is nearly $100,000 less than Baranoff’s zone, which makes Casey one of the best value propositions in south Austin for buyers who care about school quality. The neighborhoods are a mix of older ranch homes and newer infill construction, and the area has seen steady appreciation without the explosive price jumps that some central Austin neighborhoods experienced.
Casey feeds into Bedichek Middle School rather than Bailey, which means the middle school experience will differ. But both paths converge at Akins High School. I have walked buyers through this feeder pattern more times than I can remember, and the reaction is almost always the same: “wait, they both end up at Akins?” Yes. They do.
The Neighborhoods
Baranoff draws from slightly more western, established neighborhoods south of William Cannon. Casey’s zone overlaps with the Manchaca Road corridor where you find more variety in housing types and price points. Both zones offer good access to Hwy 290 and MoPac, and both are within a reasonable commute to downtown.
Browse all homes zoned to Baranoff Elementary or homes zoned to Casey Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Baranoff if:
- You want the slightly higher TEA score and a historically strong campus
- Established neighborhoods with mature trees are your preference
- A larger campus (808 students) suits your student
You might lean toward Casey if:
- Saving nearly $100,000 on the median home price matters to you
- A smaller, mid-sized campus with 544 students appeals to you
- The Bedichek Middle School path works for your plans
Between you and me, Casey is the pick that smart south Austin buyers keep discovering. Three TEA points for $100,000 less. That math does not lie.
Frequently Asked Questions
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South Austin school zones can save you real money if you know where to look. I have been guiding buyers through these decisions for over 19 years. Lets figure out the best zone for your budget and priorities.
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