Ed Neuhaus 
One C and One F: What the TEA Data Says About These Austin ISD Middle Schools
Covington Middle School scored a C with 76 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability report. Martin Middle School scored an F with 56. That is a 20 point gap between two Austin ISD middle schools on opposite sides of central Austin, and it raises hard questions that buyers need to hear honest answers to.
Martin’s F rating is significant. It puts the school in the lowest tier of TEA accountability and triggers additional state oversight through the Comprehensive Support and Improvement designation. But the neighborhoods around Martin are some of the most desirable in Austin, with a median home price of $544,950. Covington’s zone sits at $549,500. Nearly identical prices for a 20 point TEA gap. The market is telling you something: in central Austin, location dominates school scores in the pricing equation.
That does not mean schools do not matter. It means buyers need to understand what they are actually buying. So lets look at the numbers.
Covington vs Martin: Quick Comparison
| Covington Middle School | Martin Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (76/100) | F (56/100) |
| Enrollment | 632 students | 247 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 07 – 08 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $549,500 | $544,950 |
| Feeds Into | Bowie HS | McCallum 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 | Covington Middle School | Martin Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (76/100) | F (56/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (76/100) | F (45/100) |
| School Progress | C (76/100) | F (52/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (76/100) | F (52/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (76/100) | D (65/100) |
| Enrollment | 632 students (06 – 08) | 247 students (07 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 41.3% | 95.1% |
| English Learners | 14.8% | 44.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 1 of 7 earned | Not eligible (F-rated) |
Martin’s numbers are tough. An F across four of five domains, with only Closing the Gaps earning a D (65). The school serves an extraordinarily challenging student population: 95.1% economically disadvantaged and 44.9% English Learners. Martin is also tiny at 247 students serving only grades 7 and 8, which means a handful of test scores can dramatically shift the campus rating in either direction. F-rated campuses are not eligible for TEA distinctions.
Covington earned a C across the board and picked up 1 TEA distinction. With 41.3% economically disadvantaged students, Covington faces its own challenges but operates with a more balanced student composition. The school feeds into Bowie High School, one of the strongest in Austin ISD, which is a significant factor for many buyers.
For the full breakdown, visit the Covington MS school page or the Martin MS school page.
Covington Middle School: Southwest Austin’s Bridge to Bowie
Covington sits in southwest Austin and serves as a key feeder into Bowie High School. That Bowie connection is what drives a lot of buyer interest in the Covington zone, because Bowie consistently ranks among Austin ISD’s top performing high schools. The school has 632 students and serves grades 6 through 8, giving students the full middle school experience before transitioning to high school. At $549,500, the zone reflects the desirability of the southwest Austin neighborhoods it draws from.
Martin Middle School: Central Location, Struggling Campus
Martin is one of the smallest middle schools in Austin ISD at just 247 students, and it only serves grades 7 and 8. The campus sits in north central Austin near the neighborhoods between Burnet Road and Lamar Boulevard. The F rating is a reality that buyers need to weigh, but the neighborhoods surrounding Martin are genuinely charming. Older bungalows, walkable streets, proximity to dining and entertainment. The school feeds into McCallum High School, which has its own dedicated following among Austin buyers.
I am not going to pretend the F rating is fine. It is not. But I have sold homes in the Martin zone to buyers who weighed the neighborhood character against the school score and made a conscious, informed decision. Some supplemented with tutoring. Some explored the Austin ISD transfer options. The point is they went in with eyes open.
The Neighborhoods
Covington’s zone covers southwest Austin neighborhoods near the Bowie High School corridor, with a mix of established subdivisions and newer development. Martin’s zone covers some of the most walkable and culturally vibrant neighborhoods in central Austin. The near-identical median prices ($549,500 vs $544,950) confirm that location and neighborhood character, not school scores, drive pricing in these areas.
Browse all homes zoned to Covington MS or homes zoned to Martin MS.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Covington if:
- TEA scores weigh heavily in your decision
- The Bowie High School feeder path is important to your long term plan
- A larger middle school campus (632 students, grades 6 through 8) is your preference
You might lean toward Martin’s zone if:
- Central Austin walkability and neighborhood character are your top priorities
- You are comfortable supplementing academics outside of school if needed
- The McCallum High School path works for your student
This is one of those comparisons where the right answer depends entirely on what you value most. I will not tell you school scores do not matter, because they do. But I also will not tell you that a neighborhood you love is the wrong choice because of a TEA rating. Life is more complicated than that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Navigating Austin ISD school zones requires honest conversation and local expertise. I have been having these exact discussions with buyers for over 19 years. Lets talk about your priorities and find the zone that works for your life.
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