Cunningham vs Joslin Elementary: Same Grade, Very Different Price Tags

What Does an Extra $250,000 Buy You in South Austin Schools?

Joslin Elementary scored an 87 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA rating. Cunningham Elementary came in at 84. Three points apart. But the median home price near Joslin is $749,000, while Cunningham’s zone sits around $499,900. Both are B rated schools in Austin ISD, both serve south Austin neighborhoods, and both feed into Bailey Middle School. So where does that quarter million dollar price gap come from?

I get this question a lot from buyers who start their search focused on school ratings and then realize the map of south Austin is full of surprises. Cunningham is a smaller campus with 345 students tucked into an older neighborhood. Joslin has 265 students in one of the more affluent pockets near Zilker. The test scores are almost identical. The price tags are not.

And that, right there, is why you need to look at more than just the TEA letter grade when you are picking a school zone. Lets walk through what actually separates these two campuses.

Cunningham vs Joslin: Quick Comparison

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.

These two schools are remarkably close across every TEA metric. Joslin edges Cunningham by three points in each category, which is essentially a rounding error in education data. What stands out is the demographic difference. Cunningham has 30.1% economically disadvantaged students and 12.8% English Learners, while Joslin sits at 7.5% and 3.8% respectively. For Cunningham to post an 84 with that student composition is genuinely impressive. I would argue it actually outperforms Joslin when you factor in the starting line.

For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Cunningham Elementary school page or the Joslin Elementary school page.

Cunningham Elementary: Small Campus, Big Value

Cunningham is one of those Austin ISD campuses that flies under the radar. With only 345 students, it has a small school feel that bigger campuses simply cannot replicate. The school sits in a neighborhood of older homes (mostly 1960s and 1970s builds) that have been steadily appreciating as south Austin continues to attract buyers priced out of central neighborhoods. At a $499,900 median, you are looking at homes that still feel attainable by Austin standards.

The campus feeds into Bailey Middle School and then Akins High School. Akins is one of the larger high schools in Austin ISD and offers a range of programs including several career academies. It is not the flashiest feeder path in the district, but it is functional and well supported.

Joslin Elementary: Boutique Campus, Premium Price

Joslin is tiny. At 265 students it is one of the smallest elementary schools in Austin ISD, and that size is a selling point for a lot of buyers. Smaller campuses mean teachers and staff know every kid by name, and the community feel is hard to beat. The school draws from neighborhoods near South Lamar and Zilker, which is why the median home price clocks in at $749,000. You are paying for the location as much as the school.

Joslin feeds into Bedichek Middle School and then Austin High School, which is a very different feeder path than Cunningham’s. Austin High consistently ranks as one of the top high schools in the district, and that long view from elementary through high school graduation is part of what drives the price premium in the Joslin zone.

I have sold homes in both zones, and I can tell you the Joslin zone buyer is typically someone who wants walkability to South Lamar restaurants and Zilker Park. The Cunningham zone buyer wants more house for the money. Both are making smart choices.

The Neighborhoods

Cunningham’s zone covers south Austin neighborhoods west of I-35 and south of Ben White, an area that has seen tremendous reinvestment over the past decade. The housing stock is mostly older single story homes on generous lots, many of which have been renovated or expanded. Joslin’s zone pulls from areas closer to Zilker and South Lamar, where the walkability score is significantly higher and the price tag reflects it.

The roughly $250,000 price difference between these zones is not really about school quality (the scores prove that). It is about neighborhood proximity to central Austin amenities.

Browse all homes zoned to Cunningham Elementary or homes zoned to Joslin Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

Since both schools carry B ratings with nearly identical TEA scores, this decision really comes down to budget and lifestyle preferences.

You might lean toward Cunningham if:

• You want strong TEA scores without the premium price tag
• A median around $500,000 fits your budget better
• You prefer larger lots and more house for the money

You might lean toward Joslin if:

• You value a very small campus where the staff knows every student
• Walkability to South Lamar and Zilker is a high priority
• The Austin High School feeder path is important to your long term plan
• A $749,000 median price point is comfortable for your budget

If I am being honest, the Cunningham zone is one of the better values in Austin ISD right now. Three fewer TEA points for $250,000 less? The math speaks for itself. But location is location, and if you want to walk to Barton Springs, that is hard to put a number on.

Ready to Find Your Home?

South Austin school zones can be confusing, and the price differences between zones that look almost identical on paper can catch you off guard. I have been working these neighborhoods for over 19 years and I know where the value is. Lets sit down and figure out which zone makes the most sense for your budget and priorities.

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