Ed Neuhaus 
If You Are House Hunting in South Austin, You Need to Know These Two Schools
Cowan Elementary scored a B with 85 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA report. Williams Elementary landed a C with 77. Both are Austin ISD campuses in south Austin, both are relatively small schools, and both sit in neighborhoods where the median home price hovers around $415,000 to $460,000. The 8 point TEA gap is noticeable but not enormous, and it raises the question buyers in this part of town always ask: is 8 TEA points worth an extra $44,000 on the median home price?
I think the answer depends on what you are really buying. And in south Austin right now, you are buying a lifestyle as much as a school zone. So lets look at the data and then talk about what the neighborhoods actually feel like, because that is where the real decision gets made.
Cowan vs Williams: Quick Comparison
| Cowan Elementary | Williams Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| Enrollment | 554 students | 376 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $416,174 | $459,945 |
| Feeds Into | Bailey MS, Akins HS | Bedichek MS |
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 | Cowan Elementary | Williams Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| School Progress | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (85/100) | C (77/100) |
| Enrollment | 554 students (EE – 05) | 376 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 25.6% | 43.1% |
| English Learners | 12.5% | 21.3% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
Cowan’s B rating is consistent across all five domains, and Williams mirrors that consistency at the C level. The demographic data explains much of the gap: Cowan has 25.6% economically disadvantaged students while Williams serves 43.1%. Given that context, Williams’ 77 is a respectable score that reflects a dedicated staff working hard with a more challenging student population.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Cowan Elementary school page or the Williams Elementary school page.
Cowan Elementary: South Austin’s Solid B
Cowan is a mid sized campus with 554 students that draws from established south Austin neighborhoods near Manchaca Road. The school has a track record of solid performance and feeds into Bailey Middle School and then Akins High School. The $416,174 median price makes this one of the more accessible B rated elementary zones in Austin ISD, which is why buyers keep circling back to it.
The neighborhoods around Cowan are mostly late 1980s and 1990s construction. Decent sized lots, established shade trees, quiet streets. It is not going to make the cover of a design magazine, but it is the kind of neighborhood where you can leave your garage door open and nobody thinks twice about it. I like selling homes here because the buyers who land in these neighborhoods tend to be genuinely happy with their choice.
Williams Elementary: Smaller Campus, Higher Price Tag
Williams is smaller at 376 students and has a C rating, yet the median home price in its zone ($459,945) is actually $44,000 higher than Cowan’s. That might seem counterintuitive until you look at the map. Williams draws from neighborhoods that overlap with some of the more desirable south Austin corridors, including areas closer to South Lamar and South Congress. You are paying a premium for location and neighborhood character, not school performance.
The Neighborhoods
Cowan’s zone extends through the Manchaca Road corridor, mostly residential neighborhoods that offer solid value. Williams’ zone reaches into areas with better proximity to south Austin’s dining and entertainment scene. The price difference reflects walkability and urban convenience more than it reflects school quality.
Browse all homes zoned to Cowan Elementary or homes zoned to Williams Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Cowan if:
- TEA scores are a priority and you want the B rating
- A lower median price around $416,000 gives you more breathing room
- You prefer established neighborhoods with larger lots
You might lean toward Williams if:
- Proximity to South Lamar and south Austin amenities matters most
- A smaller campus with 376 students appeals to you
- You are comfortable with a C rating and value the neighborhood over the score
The reality is that Cowan gives you more school for less money. But Williams gives you a better neighborhood location. I have sold homes in both zones and both types of buyers end up satisfied, they just prioritize differently. No wrong answer here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
South Austin has dozens of elementary school zones, and the differences between them are not always obvious from a spreadsheet. I have been helping buyers find the right neighborhood in Austin for over 19 years. Lets talk about what you need and match you with the zone that fits.
Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
