Ed 
One C and One F: What the TEA Data Says About These Austin ISD Middle Schools
Covington Middle School earned an overall C on the 2025 TEA accountability ratings. Martin Middle School earned an overall F. That is a meaningful gap between two Austin ISD middle schools, and it raises hard questions that buyers deserve honest answers to ([Texas Tribune Schools](https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/austin-isd/), [TEA 2025 ratings](https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/news-releases/news-2025/tea-releases-2025-a-f-accountability-ratings-2024-ratings-now-also-available)).
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. Martin sits in East Austin’s Holly neighborhood (78702), where trailing 12-month median sales sit around $663,750. Covington sits in Southwest Austin near Oak Hill (78749), where the trailing 12-month median sits around $575,000 (Austin/Central Texas MLS, closed sales May 2025 to May 2026). The market is telling you something: in Austin, neighborhood character and proximity to downtown carry pricing power independent of campus letter grades.
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 (2025) | C | F |
| Enrollment | 632 students | 247 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 07 – 08 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price (12-mo) | ~$575,000 (78749) | ~$663,750 (78702) |
| Feeds Into | Bowie HS or Crockett ECHS (address-based) | Eastside ECHS, Austin HS, LBJ ECHS, Northeast ECHS, or Travis ECHS (address-based) |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
The Texas Education Agency evaluates every public school annually across three domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Here is how both campuses performed in the 2025 accountability cycle ([TEA A-F Accountability](https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/accountability/academic-accountability/a-f-accountability)).
| Performance Metric | Covington Middle School | Martin Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating (2025) | C | F |
| Student Achievement | See Texas Tribune | See Texas Tribune |
| School Progress | See Texas Tribune | See Texas Tribune |
| Closing the Gaps | See Texas Tribune | See Texas Tribune |
| Enrollment (2025-26) | ~625 students (06-08) | ~240 students (07-08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | ~46.6% | ~95% |
| Address | 3700 Convict Hill Rd, 78749 | 1601 Haskell St, 78702 |
Martin’s overall F is one of three consecutive F ratings the campus has received, which puts it on a state-mandated turnaround plan and on Austin ISD’s list of campuses at risk of closure ([KXAN](https://www.kxan.com/austin-isd-school-closure-plans/austin-isd-plans-to-re-envision-martin-middle-school-after-proposed-closure/)). The school serves a heavily economically disadvantaged student population. Martin is also small at roughly 240 students serving only grades 7 and 8, which means a small number of test scores can move the campus rating noticeably in either direction.
Covington earned an overall C. With roughly 46.6% economically disadvantaged students, Covington has its own challenges but a different demographic mix from Martin. Depending on home address, Covington students feed into either Bowie High School or Crockett Early College High School ([AISD 2026-27 Feeder Pattern](https://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/school-improvement/docs/consolidations/2026-27_AISD_Feeder_Pattern_English_20251016.pdf)). Bowie is one of the strongest high schools in Austin ISD, which is a meaningful draw for buyers whose address lands them on the Bowie path.
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 at 3700 Convict Hill Road in Southwest Austin (78749, Oak Hill area) and serves as a feeder into Bowie High School or Crockett ECHS depending on a student’s home address. The Bowie connection drives a lot of buyer interest in the Bowie-bound portion of the Covington zone. The school has roughly 625 students and serves grades 6 through 8. Trailing 12-month median sales in the 78749 ZIP sit around $575,000 (Austin/Central Texas MLS).
Martin Middle School: Central Location, Struggling Campus
Martin is one of the smallest middle schools in Austin ISD at roughly 240 students, and it only serves grades 7 and 8. The campus sits at 1601 Haskell Street in East Austin’s Holly neighborhood (78702), on the banks of Lady Bird Lake ([Austin ISD](https://www.austinisd.org/schools/martin)). The F rating is a reality that buyers need to weigh, but the neighborhoods surrounding Martin are walkable and culturally rich, with older bungalows and close access to downtown. Depending on address, Martin students feed into Eastside ECHS, Austin High School, LBJ ECHS, Northeast ECHS, or Travis ECHS.
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 corridor in 78749, with a mix of established subdivisions and newer development. Martin’s zone covers some of the most walkable East Austin neighborhoods around the Holly area in 78702. Trailing 12-month medians (~$575,000 in 78749 vs ~$663,750 in 78702, MLS closed sales) show that in central and east Austin, neighborhood character and proximity to downtown carry pricing power that often outweighs campus letter grades.
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
- Your address puts you on the Bowie High School feeder path and that matters to your long term plan
- A larger middle school campus (roughly 625 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 Austin High or East Austin early college high school paths work 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
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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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