Ed 
Seven TEA Points and $69,000 Separate These Southwest Austin Elementaries
Cunningham Elementary earned a B on the 2025 TEA rating. Patton Elementary earned a C. Both are Austin ISD schools in southwest Austin. Patton’s attendance zone carries a median closed sale price near $563,800, while Cunningham’s zone runs near $495,000 (Texas Tribune school data; zone sale medians per VOW MLS, closed sales, trailing 18mo). The lower scoring school is in the more affordable zip code, which is one of those 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, but they feed into different high school pipelines. Patton students continue through Small Middle School to Bowie High School. Cunningham students continue through Covington Middle School to Crockett Early College High School (AISD feeder pattern chart). Lets compare the data and what the neighborhoods actually look like.
Patton vs Cunningham: Quick Comparison
| Patton Elementary | Cunningham Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 TEA Rating | C | B |
| Enrollment | ~711 students | ~345 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | PK – 05 |
| District | Austin ISD | Austin ISD |
| Zone Median Sale (closed, 18mo) | ~$564K (Patton) | ~$495K (Cunningham) |
| Feeds Into | Small MS → Bowie HS | Covington MS → Crockett ECHS |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
| Performance Metric | Patton Elementary | Cunningham Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall 2025 Rating | C | B |
| Student Achievement | C | C |
| School Progress | C | B |
| Closing the Gaps | C | A |
| Enrollment | ~711 students (EE – 05) | ~345 students (PK – 05) |
Cunningham earned the higher overall letter grade across the three reported TEA domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. For current campus demographics and STAAR breakdowns, see the official school report cards (Patton, Cunningham).
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, serving roughly 711 students. It feeds into Small Middle School, then into Bowie High School. The Bowie connection is significant for buyers thinking long term.
Cunningham: Smaller, Stronger, More Affordable
Cunningham serves roughly 345 students and feeds into Covington Middle School, then into Crockett Early College High School. The B rating in the more affordable 78745 zip code makes Cunningham the stronger 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 keep the Cunningham zone median sale price near $495,000.
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
- A lower entry point in the south Austin market matters
Cunningham earned the higher letter grade in the more affordable 78745 market. 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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