Ed Neuhaus 
Hill Country Buyers: Lake Travis ISD vs Dripping Springs ISD at the Elementary Level
Rooster Springs Elementary in Dripping Springs ISD earned an A with 91 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA report. Bee Cave Elementary in Lake Travis ISD scored a B with 87. Both campuses sit in the Hill Country west of Austin, both serve growing communities along the 290 corridor, and both draw from neighborhoods where the median home price starts well above $600,000. But they are in different districts with different feeder patterns and different community identities.
I get asked about this comparison constantly by buyers relocating to the Hill Country who cannot decide between Dripping Springs and Bee Cave. And the truth is, both are excellent choices. But the details matter, so lets walk through them.
Bee Cave vs Rooster Springs: Quick Comparison
| Bee Cave Elementary | Rooster Springs Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 779 students | 770 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Lake Travis ISD | Dripping Springs ISD |
| Median Home Price | $895,000 | $690,000 |
| Feeds Into | Bee Cave MS, Lake Travis HS | DS MS, DS HS |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
The Texas Education Agency evaluates every public school annually across multiple performance domains. Here is how both campuses performed in the 2025 accountability cycle.
| Performance Metric | Bee Cave Elementary | Rooster Springs Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (87/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 779 students (EE – 05) | 770 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| English Learners | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
Rooster Springs edges Bee Cave by 4 points across every domain, a consistent gap that suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than a statistical anomaly. Both schools have nearly identical enrollments and very similar demographics, which makes this one of the cleaner apples to apples comparisons in the Hill Country. Yet the median home price near Bee Cave ($895,000) is $205,000 higher than Rooster Springs ($690,000). You are paying the Lake Travis ISD premium and the Bee Cave location premium, not better school performance.
For the full breakdown, visit the Bee Cave Elementary school page or the Rooster Springs Elementary school page.
Bee Cave Elementary: Lake Travis ISD and the Bee Cave Lifestyle
Bee Cave Elementary draws from the town of Bee Cave and surrounding neighborhoods that have become one of Austin’s most desirable suburban corridors. The Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave restaurants, and proximity to Lake Travis all contribute to the lifestyle premium. The school feeds into Bee Cave Middle School and then Lake Travis High School, which carries its own strong reputation especially in athletics. The $895,000 median reflects all of that: school quality, location, and lifestyle. It is a lot of money, but buyers here know what they are buying.
Rooster Springs Elementary: Dripping Springs’ A Rated Gem
Rooster Springs sits in Dripping Springs ISD, a smaller district with a loyal following. The school earned an A with a 91, outperforming Bee Cave by 4 points, and the feeder path goes through Dripping Springs Middle School and Dripping Springs High School. The Dripping Springs community has a more rural Hill Country feel compared to Bee Cave’s more polished suburban identity. The neighborhoods include master planned communities like Belterra and Caliterra alongside more traditional Hill Country acreage properties.
At $690,000, you get better TEA performance in a district that many buyers describe as having a small town feel with big district resources. I have sold homes in both zones and the Dripping Springs buyers tend to be people who want space, quiet, and strong schools without the premium prices that come with the Bee Cave address.
The Neighborhoods
Bee Cave’s neighborhoods line the 71 corridor with upscale retail, dining, and proximity to Lake Travis recreation. Rooster Springs’ zone extends into the Dripping Springs countryside where lots are larger and the pace is slower. The $205,000 price gap buys you the Bee Cave brand and convenience, not a better school.
Browse all homes zoned to Bee Cave Elementary or homes zoned to Rooster Springs Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Bee Cave Elementary if:
- The Lake Travis ISD brand and Lake Travis High School feeder matter to you
- Proximity to Bee Cave shopping, dining, and Lake Travis recreation is a priority
- You are comfortable at the $895,000 price point
You might lean toward Rooster Springs if:
- A higher TEA score (A, 91/100) at a lower price point appeals to you
- The quieter Dripping Springs Hill Country lifestyle is your preference
- Saving $205,000 on the median while getting a better rated school sounds smart
Not going to lie, the Rooster Springs value proposition is really strong here. A rated school, great district, beautiful Hill Country setting, and $205,000 less than Bee Cave. The only thing you give up is proximity to the Bee Cave retail corridor and the Lake Travis High School name. For some buyers that matters a lot. For others, the math makes the decision easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
The Hill Country west of Austin offers some of the best school options in the region, but choosing between Lake Travis ISD and Dripping Springs ISD is a decision that impacts your daily life for years. I know both communities well after 19 years of selling in this area. Lets figure out which one fits you.
Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
