Ed Neuhaus 
Both Schools Score Above 90. The Price Gap Is $285,000.
Carpenter Hill Elementary scored a 90 on its 2025 TEA accountability rating. Baldwin Elementary scored a 91. One point apart on a 100 point scale. But the median home price near Carpenter Hill is $812,500 while Baldwin comes in at $1,097,500. That is a $285,000 difference for essentially identical academic performance, and it is one of the more interesting value comparisons in southwest Austin right now.
Both schools sit within Austin ISD and both earned A ratings from the Texas Education Agency. They serve overlapping parts of southwest Austin (Carpenter Hill is further south near Shady Hollow, while Baldwin draws from closer to the Barton Creek corridor), and both feed into highly regarded middle and high school campuses. So the question for buyers is not really which school is better. It is whether the extra $285K gets you something meaningful beyond just a different neighborhood address.
I sell homes in both of these zones regularly. Lets break down what the data actually shows and what the neighborhoods feel like on the ground.
Carpenter Hill vs Baldwin: Quick Comparison
| Carpenter Hill Elementary | Baldwin Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (90/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 538 students | 582 students |
| Grades | PK – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $812,500 | $1,097,500 |
| Feeds Into | Gorzycki MS → Bowie HS | Small MS / Gorzycki MS → Austin HS / 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 | Carpenter Hill Elementary | Baldwin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (90/100) | A (91/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (90/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | A (91/100) | B (88/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (91/100) | B (88/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (87/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 538 students (PK – 05) | 582 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 20.3% | 6.0% |
| English Learners | 10.2% | 3.3% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
When you peel back the overall scores, these two schools have different strengths. Carpenter Hill actually leads Baldwin in School Progress and Academic Growth by three points each (91 to 88), which means students are making stronger year over year gains. But Baldwin dominates in Closing the Gaps at 93 vs 87, which measures how well the school serves all student groups equitably.
Here is the part that surprised me. Carpenter Hill has a significantly higher economically disadvantaged rate (20.3% vs 6.0%) and a higher English learner population (10.2% vs 3.3%), and it still scores within one point of Baldwin overall. That is a testament to the quality of instruction at Carpenter Hill. When a school posts those kinds of growth numbers with a more diverse student body, you know the teachers and administration are doing something right.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Carpenter Hill Elementary school page or the Baldwin Elementary school page.
Carpenter Hill: Bowie Feeder Path Without the Barton Creek Price Tag
Carpenter Hill Elementary sits in the Shady Hollow and Circle C corridor of far southwest Austin, and it feeds into Gorzycki Middle School and then Bowie High School. That Bowie feeder path is one of the most sought after in all of Austin ISD, and Carpenter Hill gives you access to it at a median price that is almost $300K below what Baldwin commands.
The neighborhoods in this zone include established communities like Shady Hollow and Bauerle Ranch, where you will find homes with mature landscaping, generous lot sizes, and the kind of Hill Country feel that drew people to southwest Austin in the first place. The 90 TEA score places Carpenter Hill firmly in the top tier, and the school’s growth metrics suggest it is still improving. For buyers who want an A rated Austin ISD elementary in the Bowie pipeline without writing a check north of a million dollars, this is the zone to watch.
Baldwin: Top of the Class, Top of the Price Range
Baldwin Elementary draws from some of the most expensive real estate in Austin ISD. The school sits near the Barton Creek and Lost Creek corridor, where median prices push well past $1M. The student body reflects that price point, with just 6% economically disadvantaged and 3.3% English learners. The school’s Closing the Gaps score of 93 is one of the highest in the district.
Baldwin feeds into both Small Middle School and Gorzycki Middle School, with Austin High School and Bowie High School as the high school destinations. That dual feeder path gives buyers some flexibility depending on exactly where they land within the zone. The campus earned a 91 overall, consistent with its historical performance, and it remains one of the highest rated elementaries in Austin ISD.
The Neighborhoods
Carpenter Hill’s zone takes in the Shady Hollow community and surrounding developments along Brodie Lane and Slaughter Lane. Homes here range from the mid $600s to over $1M for custom builds, but the sweet spot is in the $700K to $900K range. The area feels distinctly suburban with mature trees, parks, and a community pool that residents actually use.
Baldwin’s zone covers some of Austin’s most prestigious addresses near Barton Creek and the Lost Creek corridor. You are looking at estate style homes on large lots, with views and privacy that justify the premium. Buyers in this zone are typically established professionals or relocating executives who want the best of Austin ISD without leaving the southwest quadrant.
Browse all homes zoned to Carpenter Hill Elementary or homes zoned to Baldwin Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Carpenter Hill if:
- You want an A rated Austin ISD elementary on the Bowie feeder path
- You prefer to stay under $900K and get more home for your money
- The school’s strong growth metrics (91 in both Progress and Academic Growth) matter to you
- You like the Shady Hollow/Circle C corridor and its suburban character
You might lean toward Baldwin if:
- Budget is not the primary constraint and you want the Barton Creek area address
- A 93 Closing the Gaps score signals the kind of equitable outcomes you value
- You want access to both Small MS and Gorzycki MS as feeder options
If you are asking me where the better value is, I think Carpenter Hill is hard to beat. One point lower on the overall rating, significantly stronger growth numbers, and almost $300K less on the median home price. Baldwin is a fantastic school in a fantastic neighborhood, but you are paying a hefty premium for the zip code. No judgment either way, just make sure you know what you are getting for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Southwest Austin has some of the strongest elementary schools in the entire district, and I know these neighborhoods inside and out after 19 years in the business. Whether you are looking at the value play at Carpenter Hill or the premium experience at Baldwin, lets sit down and map out what makes sense for your budget and your priorities.
