Ed Neuhaus 
The Real Cost of Buying Into Houston vs Langford
Houston Elementary and Langford Elementary sit in the same district, but they are not interchangeable. Langford Elementary pulled a C rating (73/100) on the latest TEA accountability release. Houston Elementary landed at F (48/100). For buyers trying to narrow down a search zone, that is the kind of split worth understanding.
Both schools are part of Austin ISD, and I have shown homes in both zones for years. The neighborhoods have their own personality, the price points are different, and the day to day experience at each campus is its own thing. That matters more than most buyers expect when they first start their search.
Below, I will break down the full TEA performance data, walk through the neighborhoods zoned to each campus, and give you my honest take on which school zone fits different types of buyers. If you want the deep dive on either campus individually, check out the Houston Elementary school page or the Langford Elementary school page.
Houston Elementary vs Langford Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Houston Elementary | Langford Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | F (48/100) | C (73/100) |
| Enrollment | 495 students | 391 students |
| Grades | EE – 06 | EE – 06 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $379,500 | $300,000 |
| Feeds Into | Mendez MS → Travis HS | Mendez MS → Akins 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 | Houston Elementary | Langford Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | F (48/100) | C (73/100) |
| Student Achievement | F (47/100) | F (52/100) |
| School Progress | F (56/100) | C (71/100) |
| Academic Growth | F (56/100) | C (71/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | F (30/100) | C (78/100) |
| Enrollment | 495 students (EE – 06) | 391 students (EE – 06) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 92.1% | 94.9% |
| English Learners | 64.6% | 68.0% |
| TEA Distinctions | Not eligible (F-rated) | 0 of 7 earned |
The biggest standout in this comparison is School Progress, where Langford Elementary scored 71/100 compared to 56/100 at Houston Elementary. That 15 point gap is significant and speaks to the overall trajectory of the campus relative to similar schools.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Houston Elementary school page or the Langford Elementary school page.
Houston Elementary: A Closer Look at This Austin ISD Campus
Houston Elementary is a welcoming campus in south-central Austin, part of the Austin ISD family of schools that has earned a devoted following among residents who put down roots in this part of the city. The school sits at the heart of a mature, well-connected community anchored by the beloved Peppertree Park neighborhood, where established trees, familiar streets, and a genuine sense of belonging define everyday life.
Houston Elementary earned a F (48/100) on its 2025 TEA accountability rating. That is below where most buyers would like to see it, and I will not sugarcoat that. But TEA scores are one lens, and the campus has aspects that do not show up in a spreadsheet.
The school draws from neighborhoods including Peppertree Park, Wagon Crossing, Austin. The surrounding neighborhoods offer a range of housing options at accessible price points.
Students at Houston Elementary feed into Mendez Middle School and then Travis High School. That feeder path matters to buyers who are thinking long term about their kids’ educational trajectory.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Houston Elementary is one of those campuses where you can feel the community investment the moment you drive through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is evolving and there is real opportunity for buyers who want to get in before prices catch up.
Langford Elementary: A C Rated Campus in Austin ISD
Langford Elementary is a cornerstone campus in southeast Austin, part of the respected Austin ISD family and surrounded by established neighborhoods that offer genuine community character and real value within the city. Students at Langford benefit from a school community known for its committed educators and a welcoming atmosphere, with a clear path leading through middle and high school as part of a well-connected feeder pattern.
Langford Elementary earned a C (73/100) on its 2025 TEA accountability rating. That is below where most buyers would like to see it, and I will not sugarcoat that. But TEA scores are one lens, and the campus has aspects that do not show up in a spreadsheet.
The school draws from neighborhoods including South Creek South, Meadow Lake, Indian Hills. The surrounding neighborhoods offer a range of housing options at accessible price points.
Students at Langford Elementary feed into Mendez Middle School and then Akins High School. That feeder path matters to buyers who are thinking long term about their kids’ educational trajectory.
The Neighborhoods
Homes near Houston Elementary carry a median price of $379,500, while the Langford Elementary zone comes in at $300,000. Both neighborhoods are within Austin ISD boundaries. The day to day feel of each neighborhood is its own thing, and I would encourage anyone comparing these two zones to spend a Saturday morning driving both before making a decision.
One thing I always tell buyers: look at the neighborhood on a Saturday morning, not just a Tuesday at 2pm. You want to see who is walking dogs, who is out running, whether the parks are being used. That tells you more about the community than any listing description ever will. And yes, school zones affect resale value. That is just reality in this market.
Browse all homes zoned to Houston Elementary or homes zoned to Langford Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
Every buyer has a different set of priorities. Here is how I would think about it.
You might lean toward Houston Elementary if:
- You are comfortable at the $379,500 price point and want the neighborhoods that come with it
- The feeder path to Travis High School is important to you
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Houston zone
- You see value in a growing campus and want to buy before prices climb
You might lean toward Langford Elementary if:
- You prioritize the highest possible TEA rating
- You are looking for more accessible pricing near $300,000
- The Akins High School feeder path matches your long term plans
I will be straight with you: the TEA gap here is real, and it usually shows up in the day to day school experience. But scores alone do not capture everything. If you tour both campuses and talk to people in the neighborhood, you will get a much better sense of which one actually fits your situation. That is the part no spreadsheet can replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are weighing the Houston zone against the Langford zone (or anywhere else in the Austin area), I would love to help you figure it out. I have been doing this for over 19 years and have helped buyers navigate school zone decisions more times than I can count. And honestly, this is one of my favorite conversations to have because it is never just about a school. It is about how you want your mornings to feel, where you will grab coffee, and whether your commute makes you want to scream or not.
Lets grab a coffee, walk through your priorities, and find the neighborhood that actually fits your life. No pressure, no pitch, just honest guidance from someone who knows these neighborhoods inside and out. Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
