Cowan Elementary School

2817 Kentish Drive

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
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 November 24, 2024

The teachers are dedicated and kind. The school seems stretched thin with teachers needing to fund supplies, books, and other resources.Our daughter has flourished at Cowan and developed social skills alongside her educational growth. My biggest desire for improvement is with the arts. There isn’t an intentional music program. My daughter had one play in second grade but it was written and organized by a second grade teacher as a labor of love. There are so many children in each class it does seem like the focus goes to areas of concern. We haven’t had a parent/teacher conference in a couple of years because she’s doing great. I wish I better understood her untapped potential and how she could continue to grow even if it meant outpacing classmates. (We don’t have experience with the special education programs, so our rating is neutral.)
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2023

My kids love this school! There is a good friendly atmosphere!
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2022

It’s a great elementary and high school
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2022

We withdrew our children and they now attend another school. In our opinion there are some teachers there who have no business being educators. Pros-The cafeteria workers are very nice.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2022

As a retired teacher, I know there is no perfect school. But, the one component in any teaching environment that can create the most effective learning space are the teachers! Cowan is loaded with great teachers! I can’t say I know each one, but the ones I do know have gone well beyond the norm! Patient, kind, effective….. they actually seem to love their jobs!! Teachers make this school the best!
Submitted by other on February 18, 2020

I would not recommend this school. It is not effective and poorly ran.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2019

Great staff and great parents who work as a team
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2019

Highly recommend this school. Proud to be a Cowan Coyote. 10/10
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2019

Will be so glad when the end of school gets here. We will not be putting out child back at Cowan.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2019

Great school with good people. Both my children went there. The school is pretty stressed -- classes are actually large. I don't remember either of my kids every having a class with less than 20 (usually more). The teachers are very dedicated.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2018

I took my children out of this school and put them in private school even though I have to work longer hours to afford it. My child has a better quality of life outside of Cowan. My daughter was complaining of reacurring stomach issues only during school hours, and she missed so much school at Cowan. She was in other Schools where this was never a problem, and she never missed a day of school. The Doctor said it was due to anxiety she was experiencing at school. She now has not missed a single day in her new school
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2017

Cowan Elementary kindergarten is wonderful, and it has exceeded my expectations. Also my child looks forward to school and adores her teacher.
Submitted by other on September 12, 2017

The teachers at K-4 are very nurturing. They are firm to students but very kind to them at the same time. This is a great school for kids to start with.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

The teachers at Cowan are phenomenal! This was our first year at the school and the kids flourished.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2017

Our son is a 5th grader this year and he absolutely LOVES Cowan! All of his teachers are caring and nurturing. All the faulty and staff are always very friendly and helpful. We have been very fortunate for all the positive experience with Cowan for the past almost 6 years. We firmly believe that Cowan provides the best education and the best student diversity among all the elementary schools in the area. It's just the right kind of balance! We will miss Cowan so much!! Cowan simply ROCKS!!!
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2016

Wish i wouldve known the scoop on this school before we bought a home in this area.. We met several people in this neighborhood who have had to pull out their kids for various reasons due to ineffective administration. We are having problems as well and it makes me sad to know that.
Submitted by other on December 30, 2015

This school has it's ups and downs. When I attended this school back in '00-'02 I wasn't a trouble maker child but I did always get into trouble due to bad discipline practices. I will admit, I don't know what it's like there 15 years later, but back in 2000 teachers would often take one side of the story and wouldn't listen to the other side. Aside from the downsides of Cowan, everything else was pretty positive, the building was brand new and was a lot different then the past elementary school where all I saw was a portable.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2015

I don't really know where to start. I'm not ever one to write an online review, but what I went through at Cowan, everyone should know about. My son was diagnosed with mild autism in Kindergarten. It was a rough year, to say the least. As a mom, you feel like you've failed your child somehow, like the future is just doomed. Cowan saved my life. Cowan saved my son. They gave him (and myself) the confidence he needed to thrive. They provided him the resources to grow, to communicate, to have such an incredibly bright future. As a parent, we think of a school as just a means to teach your child various subjects, but Cowan taught my son that it's ok to be who he is, to be different. My son will be in second grade next year and he has excelled far beyond my expectations. Unfortunately, a job transfer is taking my family to Boston, but my heart, my gratitude, my sincerest thank you - will always go to the teachers, principal, and the entire staff at Cowan Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2014

My two children and I love Cowan Elementary. The teachers, principal, parents and facilities have made my children's first years of school a great experience. Mrs Geen and Mrs Cooper are both remarkable teachers who had my son reading and writing at the age of 4-5. Principal Warnken was recommended by a friend who told me that I would love her. She has been that and much more. She had said that it takes a village to teach and raise a child and that's what you get at Cowan. Everyone cares for the children as if they were their own. Cowan should be a model for other schools in AISD.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2014

This "hidden gem" has the best teachers, facilities, and community support in all of South Austin. I can't imagine my children attending any other school for their foundation of learning.