Martin vs Small Middle School: F vs A in the Same Austin ISD Zip Code

One Scores 91. The Other Scores 56. They Share a Zip Code.

Small Middle School earned an A rating with a 91 from the Texas Education Agency in 2025. Martin Middle School scored a 56 and received an F. These two Austin ISD middle schools sit just a few miles apart in central and south Austin, and the 35 point gap between them is the widest middle school comparison in this entire series. Same district. Same city. Completely different academic outcomes.

Small draws from some of Austin’s most affluent elementary zones (Baldwin, Bryker Woods, Mills, Brentwood) and feeds into Austin High School. Martin serves a smaller, heavily economically disadvantaged population and uses a combined enrollment model for grades 7 and 8. The median home prices tell a dramatic story too: $642,000 for the Small zone versus $544,950 for Martin.

This comparison is not about declaring a winner. It is about understanding what the numbers mean and how the neighborhoods behind them actually function. Lets look at the data honestly.

Martin vs Small: 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.

The gap here is not subtle. Small posted 90 or higher in three of four domains and earned all 7 distinctions. Martin is in the 40s and 50s across the board and is under TEA improvement oversight. The Student Achievement gap (90 vs 45) is a 45 point spread, which is extraordinary for two schools in the same district.

Martin serves 247 students in just grades 7 and 8 (combined enrollment model), with 95.1% economically disadvantaged and 44.9% English learners. Small serves 1,253 students in grades 6 through 8, with 16.8% economically disadvantaged and 5.4% English learners. The demographic contrast could not be more stark, and it drives much of the performance gap.

For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Martin Middle School page or the Small Middle School page.

Small Middle School: One of Austin ISD’s Best

Small is a powerhouse. It draws from elementary campuses including Baldwin, Brentwood, Bryker Woods, and Mills, all of which are A or B rated. The school feeds into Austin High School and Bowie High School, two of the top high school campuses in the district. The 92 in School Progress and Academic Growth tells you that students are not just high performing on entry, they are continuing to grow at an exceptional rate.

The $642K median home price reflects the premium neighborhoods in the Small zone, including parts of Tarrytown, Barton Creek, and the central Austin corridor. This is where buyers who prioritize academic excellence across the full K through 12 spectrum tend to land.

Martin Middle: Small Campus, Big Challenges

Martin is one of the smallest middle schools in Austin ISD, serving just 247 students in grades 7 and 8. The combined enrollment model means students arrive from a variety of elementary campuses, and the school faces the challenge of building cohesion with a new group every year. The F rating places Martin under state improvement requirements.

But the Martin zone includes some genuinely appealing central Austin neighborhoods. The $544,950 median price gets you closer to downtown than the Small zone does, and some of the east Austin areas feeding into Martin are experiencing rapid appreciation and renewal. Buyers in this zone tend to be location focused, weighing proximity and neighborhood energy against the middle school academics.

The Neighborhoods

Small’s zone includes Barton Creek, parts of Tarrytown, and established central Austin neighborhoods with mature tree canopy and walkability. These are some of the most sought after addresses in the city, and the prices reflect it.

Martin draws from east Austin communities near Manor Road, east Cesar Chavez, and the Holly neighborhood. These areas have seen significant investment and gentrification, with new restaurants, shops, and housing popping up alongside long established communities. The character is urban, eclectic, and increasingly expensive.

Browse all homes zoned to Martin Middle or homes zoned to Small Middle.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward Small if:

• Academic performance at the middle school level is a non negotiable
• You want access to the Austin High School or Bowie High School pipeline
• You prefer established central and west Austin neighborhoods

You might lean toward Martin if:

• Urban proximity and east Austin’s cultural energy are your primary draw
• You are buying for location and long term appreciation rather than current school scores
• A smaller campus environment (247 students) appeals to you

I am not going to sugarcoat the academic side of this. If middle school performance is your priority, Small wins this comparison by a mile. But some of the smartest real estate purchases I have seen in Austin were made by buyers who understood that school scores are one variable in a much larger equation. The Martin zone has location value that is hard to replicate.

Ready to Find Your Home?

Central Austin has some of the most complex school zone dynamics in the city, and I can help you sort through the trade offs. After 19 years of selling in this market, I know which neighborhoods deliver the best long term value. Lets talk.

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