Ed Neuhaus 
Austin ISD Has A Rated Elementaries Too. Here Are Two of Them.
Bear Creek Elementary scored a 93 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Carpenter Hill Elementary scored a 90. Both earned A grades from Austin ISD, and both serve neighborhoods in the southwestern part of the district where the Hill Country begins to show itself. The median home price near Bear Creek is $899,000. Near Carpenter Hill, it is $813,000. These are premium Austin ISD zones, and the school quality backs up the investment.
When people think of A rated schools in the Austin metro, they usually think of Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD, or Round Rock ISD. But Austin ISD has pockets of elite performance too, and these two campuses prove it. For buyers who want to be in Austin city limits with Austin ISD enrollment and still get A rated elementary schooling, this comparison is essential reading.
Carpenter Hill vs Bear Creek Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Carpenter Hill Elementary | Bear Creek Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (90/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 538 students | 508 students |
| Grades | PK – 05 | PK – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $812,500 | $899,000 |
| Feeds Into | Austin ISD MS then HS | Austin ISD MS then 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 | Bear Creek Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (90/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (93/100) | A (95/100) |
| School Progress | B (88/100) | A (92/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (85/100) | A (91/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (93/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 538 students (PK – 05) | 508 students (PK – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 5.9% | 4.1% |
| English Learners | 2.6% | 2.8% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
Bear Creek edges out Carpenter Hill in School Progress (92 vs 88) and Academic Growth (91 vs 85), and those margins are what push Bear Creek to a 93 overall versus Carpenter Hill’s 90. Both schools earned identical Closing the Gaps scores at 93. Bear Creek’s 7 of 7 distinctions versus 6 of 7 for Carpenter Hill confirms the slight but real performance edge. Student Achievement is close at 95 vs 93, and both are elite numbers for any elementary school in the state.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Carpenter Hill school page or the Bear Creek school page.
Carpenter Hill: Southwest Austin’s Hidden Gem
Carpenter Hill sits in the southwest Austin corridor near the intersection of Slaughter Lane and Escarpment Boulevard. The neighborhoods here feature a mix of newer construction and established homes on larger lots, with Hill Country views and direct access to the Barton Creek greenbelt nearby. At $813,000 median, this zone offers A rated Austin ISD schooling at a price point that is accessible relative to the Eanes ISD and Lake Travis ISD alternatives.
Bear Creek: Top of the Class in Austin ISD
Bear Creek’s 93 makes it one of the highest rated elementary schools in all of Austin ISD. The campus draws from some of the most desirable southwest Austin neighborhoods, where the blend of natural beauty and suburban convenience has attracted buyers for decades. At $899,000 median, the premium over Carpenter Hill is modest for the 3 point TEA advantage and the 7 of 7 distinctions that come with it.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones share the southwest Austin character: mature trees, rolling terrain, and a mix of suburban development and natural spaces. The 290 and MoPac corridors provide commuter access, and both zones benefit from proximity to the Barton Creek area and the outdoor recreation it offers.
Browse all homes zoned to Carpenter Hill or homes zoned to Bear Creek.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Bear Creek if:
- The 93 TEA score and 7 of 7 distinctions are your target
- You want the highest rated elementary option available in Austin ISD
You might lean toward Carpenter Hill if:
- Saving $86,000 on the home purchase while still getting an A rated campus sounds right
- The specific southwest Austin neighborhoods in the Carpenter Hill zone suit your lifestyle
Both schools are A rated, both are in Austin ISD, and both serve affluent southwest Austin communities. You cannot go wrong with either one. Bear Creek has a slight edge on the numbers, and Carpenter Hill has a slight edge on price. That is about as close as a school comparison gets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Southwest Austin’s A rated school zones do not get the attention they deserve. I have been selling homes in these neighborhoods for 19 years, and I can help you find the right one. Let me know when you are ready to start looking.
