Ed Neuhaus 
Seven TEA Points and $49,000 Separate These Southwest Austin Elementaries
Cunningham Elementary scored a B with 84 on the 2025 TEA rating. Patton Elementary scored a C with 77. Both are Austin ISD schools in southwest Austin, both earned 6 of 7 TEA distinctions, and the median home prices are $499,900 at Cunningham versus $549,000 at Patton. So the lower scoring school actually has the higher median home price, which is one of those real estate quirks that happens when neighborhood location and housing stock outweigh school zone boundaries in the pricing equation.
Both schools serve the south Austin corridor between William Cannon and Slaughter Lane, and both feed into middle schools that lead to the Bowie High School pipeline. Lets compare the data and what the neighborhoods actually look like.
Patton vs Cunningham: Quick Comparison
| Patton Elementary | Cunningham Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (77/100) | B (84/100) |
| Enrollment | 735 students | 345 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | PK – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Median Home Price | $549,000 | $499,900 |
| Feeds Into | Small MS → Austin / Bowie HS | Bailey / Bedichek / Covington MS → Akins HS |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
| Performance Metric | Patton Elementary | Cunningham Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (77/100) | B (84/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (76/100) | B (83/100) |
| School Progress | C (78/100) | B (85/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (78/100) | B (85/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (75/100) | B (82/100) |
| Enrollment | 735 students (EE – 05) | 345 students (PK – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 43.9% | 52.5% |
| English Learners | 20.0% | 26.4% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Cunningham leads by 7 points overall and by similar margins across all four domains. And here is what makes that impressive: Cunningham has a higher economically disadvantaged rate (52.5% vs 43.9%) and more English learners (26.4% vs 20.0%) than Patton. Cunningham is getting stronger results from a more challenging student body. Both earned 6 of 7 distinctions.
For the full breakdown, visit the Patton Elementary page or the Cunningham Elementary page.
Patton: Larger Campus, Bowie Pipeline
Patton is one of the larger Austin ISD elementaries at 735 students. It feeds into Small Middle School, then into Austin High School and Bowie High School. The Bowie connection is significant for buyers thinking long term.
Cunningham: Smaller, Stronger, More Affordable
Cunningham serves just 345 students and feeds into Bailey, Bedichek, and Covington Middle Schools, with Akins High School as the primary high school destination. The B rating at a lower median price makes Cunningham the better value on pure numbers.
The Neighborhoods
Patton’s zone covers the Westgate and south MoPac corridor where established homes from the 1980s and 1990s sit on mature lots. Cunningham draws from the area around William Cannon and South First, where smaller homes and more affordable neighborhoods bring the entry point under $500K.
Browse all homes zoned to Patton or homes zoned to Cunningham.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Patton if:
- Access to the Bowie High School pipeline through Small Middle School is your priority
- You want the Westgate corridor neighborhood character
You might lean toward Cunningham if:
- The higher TEA score at a lower price point appeals to you
- A smaller campus (345 students) with strong distinction results is what you prefer
- Budget under $500K is important
Cunningham is doing more with less, and the numbers prove it. Better score, tougher demographics, lower home prices. Patton has the Bowie feeder advantage, and for some buyers that high school destination is worth the premium. Either way, you are in solid southwest Austin territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
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