Covington Middle School

3700 Convict Hill Road

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Austin Independent School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 18, 2024

When it comes to academics and teachers we like some things about the school and we don't like others. Administration has been supportive and good about communication. Our kid is happy and feel safe, so that's what matters most. Define arts program is excellent and I highly recommend the advanced classes.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2019

We love Covington. There are so many academic and elective options. My son wishes that there were more class periods so he could take more of the classes that are offered! We are so grateful to be at Covington!
Submitted by other on May 24, 2018

Wonderful. My grandchildren just lucked into Covington because of their address, but it has been good for both of them. The Fine Arts Academy has just made one of them blossom. She in involved in several of their creative activities and would probably be in more if she could manage to give up sleep to have more fun. Her brother had the opportunity to try several creative outlets and even for those he didn't stick with, he enjoyed the process. He invited me to help with volunteer activities such as staying after school to help the kids make fleece blankets for the Linus project. I loved seeing how much enthusiasm they all had. Whenever a grade dropped and fun was threatened, the school stuck to their policy and hopefully the kids learned their lessons. The school has several classes that surprised me, such as entrepreneurship. It seems like they work hard to provide enough options to interest every child attending, and give them each an opportunity to be successful. These two beg to get to school early. I realize it is for social time, but that's okay. I was surprised to see some of the statistics listed here because my grandchildren have school friends of various races and at various income levels and I have not met any that seemed "underserved" at all. Of the schools that my children and grandchildren have attended, in Austin and elsewhere, this ranks as one of the best in my opinion. I understand that their parents feel the same.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2017

The teachers and staff are helpful and show experience and enthusiasm. This is what I see. I can only imagine the awesomeness the exude to the students.When overhearing conversations of teacher/student encounters the accountability the teachers lay out for the students and the couching, whether in Math, Soccer, Tennis or Orchastra...every teacher has that unique approach and I see it working in my children. I went there as a student in the 1980's and am proud to have my children at the same school. Clean, Energetic and Inviting.
Submitted by other on April 06, 2017

great school, teachers are fair, principal has done lots to help school. Male counselor was awesome with my older kids, really helped them transition through the years. I thinks this is a great school
Submitted by other on March 24, 2017

Locking children in a closet is apparently okay as long as they are "Special ed." Lying to parents about, and threatening children is also apparently okay. Doing all of this to a child because they drew a sword on a piece of notebook paper, apparently okay. Singling them and only them out for wearing loose coats apparently okay. What an awful school.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2016

I was looking the middle school for my son very carefully. He have a passion for languages. Also He was 7 years old when he started to have a dream about play cello. So I found Covington!I specifically apply for this school in last January :) I am very happy and very glad that my son is here!They started DUAL language in Covington on this year! i am so lucky :) My son wants to arrive at 7:30 am, and the last to leave :) - that's how it is interesting for him!The Principal and all staff are very involved in the students lives. And they allow parents to be involved in school life as much as I want like a parent. So i still can be the crazy mom who I am :D
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2016

Middle school can be challenging transition to make for kids, especially in one of Texas's urban mega schools with many 100s of students. Covington's teachers and staff do an excellent job of maneuvering their students through these challenges. A remarkably dedicated and devoted group of educators!
Submitted by student on May 24, 2016

These teachers are amazing because they care about your child's future. Bullying rarley happens here but with the good friends in the school you might have a amazing time of your life in school. All of the music classes you can take they're amazing. This is just really amazing how this school turned quickly. I had amazing time of my life at this school. This is the best school that you can ever had more than baily. Baily just has a good rating because of their grades not the happiness this school is good. Or AMAZING.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2015

Great Teachers! Great Atmosphere! Great School!!!! There are really good teaching styles!! The teachers make sure you know it before they move on! And they always offer tutoring if you need extra help!-Covington FFA student
Submitted by other on September 10, 2015

This school really takes care of it's students. They are expected to carry a planning "agenda" from class to class. It's a fine arts academy with many really strong fine arts classes.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2015

Mrs. Sellstrom has made some wonderful changes at Covington. My youngest child finishes up at Covington this year. My older son went to the school also. The Administration and Faculty are wonderful. I'm going to miss Covington!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2015

What a great school, kids really seem to like the teachers and the programs offered at this school. Front office staff is always polite to me and seem to know there stuff. Teachers have been open to communication from me as a parent and have helped to get me books, forms and assistance when I have needed it. The male counselor is awesome
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

I couldn't be happier with our choice to transfer to Covington; I almost regret we didn't come sooner. We've not experienced one real disappointment, from interactions with office staff, counselors, teachers, principal and vice-principals to feeling welcomed to participate as a parent volunteer as much as I like around the school. The teachers are still smiling at the end of the day - they want to be there! Email communication with any staff member is very effective. Walking the halls, the place feels bright, clean, well-orchestrated. The students seem happy to be there, the bands are amazing, the art produced is incredible, the theater productions fun. Even though I have one child who prefers math/science and another child strong in language/arts, there are so many engaging choices to try, for both stimulation needs!! I love Covington and am proud to have children there.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

Covington is a great school. The new principal and teachers have gone above and beyond to bring the year to a close in a positive way. The PTA has really changed and as has sponsored some new fun events and scheduled new programs for the school next year. My kids are sad they won't be there next year. Great learning atmosphere!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2014

This school has come a long way in recent years. It has suffered from bad attitudes and sluggishness; too many teachers and staff (not all) have minimized their personal accountability and have been cutting corners. Naturally, some of these characteristics have carried over to the students. However, there have been several retirements (at midterm-see what I mean-uncaring). Now there is a new, enthusiastic and caring principal that has already made noticeable improvements. The future is bright!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2013

Covington is an amazing school with dedicated teachers who incorporate the latest instructional practices and go above and beyond to meet their students' needs. I have never failed to be treated with courtesy and respect by them. The fine arts students produce some of the best quality plays, music, and visual art I've ever experienced at the middle school level! What a tribute to the Covingtons! The kids look great in their clothes, too. They adhere to the AISD dress code now. Finally, Covington serves a diverse student population, one that accurately reflects the racial makeup of Austin. What a beautiful rainbow!
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2012

Over the last 8 years I had 3 children attend Covington and I saw how the teachers and principals created a school culture of creativity and caring. And then in my last 2 years I saw how the Fine Arts classes, especially Theater, exploded. I am so lucky my daughter had been a part of the Theater, Band, and Art classes at Covington. Also, I'm an academic intervention tutor who's worked with hundreds of students and attended parent teacher conferences at many different schools. In comparison, Covington teachers are the best; they understand what it is to differentiate instruction for students who have dyslexia and ADHD, plus they value students who come from different backgrounds and experiences. They possess a combination of high expectations and warmth that has helped my 2 dyslexic sons and my ADHD daughter thrive and become successful in middle school, high school, and now college. I can't help but be grateful for all they've done for me and my children! By the way, the dress code is much better than it used to be.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2012

This is a fantastic school. From a few of the reviews below it appears parents mad about dress code (which your child, adult will follow one for the rest of their lives) and then throwing blame on school. Take reviews with a grain of salt. Most people who write reviews do so when they are mad no when they are pleased. P.S. some of these reviews are so old they are pointless. They discuss details that no longer apply to this school. If you want a feel for the school, visit it!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2012

This school is horrible. My daughter was so excited to start middle school and now she hates going to school. She is an honor student and behaves in class so she is mercilessly picked on every day. The other reviews were spot on about administration. They are more worried about the over bearing dress code than the behavior of the students. I have tried to speak with the assistant principal and was dismissed and told if I didn't like the dress code I should attend the campus advisory counsel meetings. I also spoke with another assistant principal that said the exact same thing. Its like they have a script they read from when parents complain. It is very clear to me that nothing is going to change with this school. The counselor is great and does her best but the administration is so bad that nothing changes. I have tried to transfer to another school in my area that is a lot better but we didn't get the transfer because we were white and the only spots left were for minorities. Well I guess my white daughters education isn't as important as the minority students to AISD. It is very sad. I guess equality doesn't pertain to white students in AISD.