Ed 
If You Are House Hunting in South Austin, You Need to Know These Two Schools
Cowan Elementary earned a B and Williams Elementary earned a C on the 2025 TEA accountability ratings (Texas Education Agency). Both are Austin ISD campuses in south Austin, both are relatively small schools, and both sit in 78745 and 78748 where trailing twelve month median sale prices run roughly $421,500 to $470,000 (Austin MLS data). The one letter rating gap raises the question buyers in this part of town always ask: is a B campus worth a meaningful price premium over a C campus?
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 (2025) | B | C |
| Enrollment | 554 students | 376 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Zone ZIP Median (12mo) | ~$421k-$470k (78745/78748) | ~$421k-$470k (78745/78748) |
| Feeds Into | Bailey MS, Bowie HS | Bedichek MS, Akins/Crockett/Travis HS |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
The Texas Education Agency evaluates every public school annually across three performance domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Here is how both campuses performed in the 2025 accountability cycle.
| Performance Metric | Cowan Elementary | Williams Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B | C |
| Student Achievement | Not separately published | Not separately published |
| School Progress | Not separately published | Not separately published |
| Closing the Gaps | Not separately published | Not separately published |
| Enrollment | 554 students (EE – 05) | 376 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 26.5% (Tribune) | 71.8% (Tribune) |
| English Learners | ~12.5% | 34.8% (Tribune) |
Both campuses received single letter ratings under the 2025 TEA accountability system. The demographic data explains much of the gap: Cowan serves 26.5% economically disadvantaged students while Williams serves 71.8% (Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). Given that context, Williams’ C is a respectable rating 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 roughly 550 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 Bowie High School (Austin ISD). Most of the zone sits in 78745, where the trailing twelve month median sale price runs around $470,000, making this one of the more accessible B rated elementary zones in Austin ISD.
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 roughly 375 students and carries a C rating. Its attendance area pulls from a different mix of 78745 and 78748 neighborhoods, with some sections closer to South Lamar and South Congress where prices run higher than the Manchaca corridor (Austin MLS data). In short: any price premium in this zone reflects 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 price range in the 78745 corridor near Manchaca Road 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.
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