Cowan Elementary

Summary:

Cowan Elementary is a public elementary school in Austin, Texas, serving 544 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Austin Independent School District. The school stands out for its diverse student population, consistently strong academic performance, and high rankings compared to nearby schools.

Cowan Elementary has a more diverse student body than many of its neighbors, with a higher percentage of White (45.59%) and Asian (6.25%) students. This diversity may contribute to the school's impressive academic achievements, as it consistently outperforms the district and state averages on STAAR Reading and Mathematics assessments across grades 3-5. In 2023-2024, Cowan's 5th-grade students achieved a 69.62% proficiency rate in STAAR Reading and a 41.56% proficiency rate in STAAR Science, compared to the district's 62.05% and 32.43%, respectively, and the state's 53.96% and 26.29%.

Cowan Elementary's academic excellence is reflected in its high rankings and ratings, maintaining a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade and consistently placing in the top 30% of Texas elementary schools. This performance is particularly noteworthy when compared to nearby schools like Williams Elementary and Odom Elementary, which have significantly lower proficiency rates in STAAR Reading and Mathematics. While Cowan may need to focus on addressing the needs of certain student subgroups, the school's overall academic excellence and diverse student population make it a standout choice for families in the Austin area.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2817 Kentish Dr
       Austin, TX  78748


(512) 841-2700

District: Austin Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
1005th of 4,675 Texas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,694 Help


Students who attend Cowan Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Covington Middle
High:    Bowie High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.0 Help
Number of students:  546

Racial breakdown:

White:
46.9%
Hispanic:
39.6%
Two or more races:
6.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  34.4% Help


 See top rated Texas elementary schools

 Compare Cowan Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cowan Elementary ranks better than 78.5% of elementary schools in Texas. It also ranks 23rd among 77 ranked elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.16. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (46.9%), Hispanic (39.6%), two or more races (6.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 34.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cowan Elementary is 13, which is the 36th best among 77 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
Help
Compare Cowan Elementary employs 41.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cowan Elementary is $10,694. 61 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd) spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Cowan Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Cowan Elementary 1005th of 4675 Texas public elementary schools. (See Cowan Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Austin Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks Austin Independent School District (Isd) 554th of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Cowan Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 72.10 868th 3465 74.9%
2005 74.56 723rd 3475 79.2%
2006 72.56 875th 3476 74.8%
2007 69.35 1113th 3724 70.1%
2008 70.67 1010th 3768 73.2%
2009 71.28 1009th 3884 74.0%
2010 67.26 1313th 3937 66.6%
2011 72.16 1038th 4095 74.7%
2012 78.39 728th 4206 82.7%
2013 84.43 451st 4221 89.3%
2014 85.38 435th 4260 89.8%
2015 86.99 364th 4320 91.6%
2016 86.64 394th 4286 90.8%
2017 91.84 303rd 4329 93.0%
2018 85.34 514th 4359 88.2%
2019 80.41 685th 4479 84.7%
2021 59.29 1550th 4578 66.1%
2022 81.50 678th 4581 85.2%
2023 77.07 878th 4647 81.1%
2024 73.16 1005th 4675 78.5%
See the entire list of Texas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.40 264th 1046 74.8%
2019 64.59 355th 1112 68.1%
2021 28.50 748th 961 22.2%
2022 70.49 247th 1004 75.4%
2023 57.14 492nd 1099 55.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.21 1369th 3226 57.6%
2019 31.92 2566th 3333 23.0%
2021 72.12 550th 3446 84.0%
2022 86.09 222nd 3487 93.6%
2023 55.20 1394th 3556 60.8%
2024 20.02 3258th 3638 10.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.44 606th 3558 83.0%
2019 55.93 1106th 3684 70.0%
2021 22.32 3352nd 3799 11.8%
2022 67.36 787th 3952 80.1%
2023 75.42 511th 4086 87.5%
2024 60.35 1245th 4261 70.8%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.15 986th 4264 76.9%
2019 60.11 1347th 4309 68.7%
2021 41.38 2643rd 4451 40.6%
2022 74.43 677th 4477 84.9%
2023 69.31 949th 4521 79.0%
2024 47.33 2370th 4560 48.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.36 579th 4306 86.6%
2019 81.34 584th 4348 86.6%
2021 58.04 1596th 4499 64.5%
2022 82.17 591st 4561 87.0%
2023 77.97 774th 4588 83.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.00 1393rd 3106 55.2%
2019 67.81 974th 3184 69.4%
2021 56.51 1537th 3006 48.9%
2022 68.99 844th 2958 71.5%
2023 66.79 1047th 2980 64.9%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.36 1659th 4240 60.9%
2019 39.23 2729th 4295 36.5%
2021 62.88 1058th 4331 75.6%
2022 76.98 538th 4461 87.9%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.52 448th 4319 89.6%
2019 73.68 870th 4357 80.0%
2021 58.69 1560th 4498 65.3%
2022 79.10 750th 4563 83.6%
2023 73.04 1011th 4585 77.9%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.96 248th 1005 75.3%
2021 53.96 458th 967 52.6%
2022 75.16 162nd 957 83.1%
2023 32.39 812th 1015 20.0%
2024 31.13 827th 1035 20.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.44 791st 2483 68.1%
2019 63.51 664th 2515 73.6%
2021 58.12 782nd 2444 68.0%
2022 74.81 382nd 2421 84.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.21 553rd 4168 86.7%
2019 67.27 1002nd 4188 76.1%
2021 49.95 1941st 4329 55.2%
2022 72.31 826th 4376 81.1%
2023 57.65 1609th 4401 63.4%
2024 55.23 1747th 4431 60.6%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Cowan Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.51 423rd 3127 86.5%
2019 76.05 544th 3142 82.7%
2021 51.09 1446th 3082 53.1%
2022 76.43 500th 3082 83.8%
2023 79.29 444th 3106 85.7%
2024 73.42 609th 3078 80.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Cowan Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Texas Education Agency

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Open Quote Cowan is a great school. Caring teachers who teach with research based "best practices". Very positive school environment. Great Fall Community Carnival. Diverse Population. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Cowan Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2001 218 25 19 139 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2002 254 27 24 158 0 n/a n/a 0 463
2003 254 27 24 158 0 n/a n/a 0 463
2004 257 31 33 182 0 n/a n/a 0 503
2005 257 33 32 187 0 n/a n/a 0 509
2006 264 30 44 183 0 n/a n/a 0 521
2007 291 32 44 187 3 n/a n/a 0 557
2008 318 40 42 248 0 n/a n/a 0 648
2009 344 46 40 270 4 n/a n/a 0 704
2010 363 45 34 298 3 n/a n/a 0 743
2011 343 35 27 338 7 1 33 0 784
2012 335 34 24 353 6 1 40 0 793
2013 351 31 28 346 4 1 38 0 799
2014 358 33 23 332 5 0 46 0 797
2015 372 26 28 319 2 2 51 0 800
2016 359 24 36 323 1 0 47 0 790
2017 358 43 40 346 3 0 49 0 839
2018 364 46 51 332 2 0 46 0 841
2019 352 34 38 333 2 0 47 0 806
2020 333 35 48 334 3 0 54 0 807
2021 263 20 47 264 3 1 43 0 641
2022 257 19 33 240 1 1 33 0 584
2023 248 11 34 218 1 1 31 0 544
2024 256 8 31 216 0 1 34 0 546

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cowan Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 401 26.8 15.0 14.5
2002 463 28.6 16.2 12.3
2003 463 28.6 16.2 12.3
2004 503 31.0 16.2 17.3
2005 509 33.5 15.2 16.7
2006 521 34.5 15.1 15.7
2007 557 36.5 15.3 15.3
2008 648 41.5 15.6 25
2009 704 45.7 15.4 27.8
2010 743 46.8 15.8 28.9
2011 784 48.0 16.3 32.8
2012 793 47.1 16.8 32.7
2013 799 48.6 16.4 31.7
2014 797 48.7 16.3 30.4
2015 800 49.0 16.3 31.6
2016 790 48.0 16.4 30.4
2017 839 50.7 16.5 29.3
2018 841 51.2 16.4 30.6
2019 806 51.2 15.7 31.4
2020 807 51.1 15.7 32
2021 641 46.1 13.8 33.4
2022 584 40.7 14.3 32.4
2023 544 36.0 15.1 35.7
2024 546 41.9 13.0 34.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cowan Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 401 26.8 15.0 14.5
2002 463 28.6 16.2 12.3
2003 463 28.6 16.2 12.3
2004 503 31.0 16.2 17.3
2005 509 33.5 15.2 16.7
2006 521 34.5 15.1 15.7
2007 557 36.5 15.3 15.3
2008 648 41.5 15.6 25
2009 704 45.7 15.4 27.8
2010 743 46.8 15.8 28.9
2011 784 48.0 16.3 32.8
2012 793 47.1 16.8 32.7
2013 799 48.6 16.4 31.7
2014 797 48.7 16.3 30.4
2015 800 49.0 16.3 31.6
2016 790 48.0 16.4 30.4
2017 839 50.7 16.5 29.3
2018 841 51.2 16.4 30.6
2019 806 51.2 15.7 31.4
2020 807 51.1 15.7 32
2021 641 46.1 13.8 33.4
2022 584 40.7 14.3 32.4
2023 544 36.0 15.1 35.7
2024 546 41.9 13.0 34.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cowan Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $732 (8.0%) $8,472 (92.1%) $9,203
2020 $794 (8.8%) $8,218 (91.2%) $9,012
2021 $477 (4.5%) $10,217 (95.5%) $10,694

Data source: Texas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cowan Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 685th of 4479 Elementary schoolsRanks 878th of 4647 Elementary schools
 3.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Reading (Cowan Elementary)5269
 17%
   3rd Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5157
 6%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)4450
 6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cowan Elementary)6065
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5246
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Texas)4843
 5%
4th Grade Reading (Cowan Elementary)5561
 6%
   4th Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5058
 8%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)4347
 4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cowan Elementary)5752
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))4951
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Texas)4647
 1%
5th Grade Reading (Cowan Elementary)8473
 11%
   5th Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5664
 8%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cowan Elementary)7059
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5853
 5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Texas)5650
 6%
5th Grade Science (Cowan Elementary)6537
 28%
   5th Grade Science (Austin Independent School District (Isd))4840
 8%
   5th Grade Science (Texas)4834
 14%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students806544
 32.5%
African American3411
 67.6%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian3834
 10.5%
Hispanic333218
 34.5%
Pacific Islander01
White352248
 29.5%
Two or More Races4731
 34%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31.4%35.7%
 4.3%


Schools Near Cowan Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Cowan Elementary

Students who attend Cowan Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Covington Middle
High : Bowie High School

Cowan Elementary ranks 1005th of 4675 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 546 students attended Cowan Elementary.

Students at Cowan Elementary are 47% White, 40% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 1% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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