Bee Cave Elementary vs West Cypress Hills Elementary: LTISD Schools Compared

Two LTISD Elementaries, Two Very Different Vibes

If you are looking at homes in the Lake Travis ISD area, you have probably already noticed something. Not all LTISD neighborhoods feel the same. And that is especially true when you compare the areas around Bee Cave Elementary and West Cypress Hills Elementary.

One sits right in the heart of Bee Cave, surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and that unmistakable suburban energy. The other is tucked out in Spicewood, where the Hill Country still feels wide open and the pace slows down just a little. Both feed into the same excellent district. Both have strong leadership and engaged parent communities. But the day-to-day experience for your family? That can look pretty different depending on which school your address maps to.

So let me walk you through what I have seen over 15+ years of helping families navigate exactly this decision. Bee Cave Elementary vs West Cypress Hills Elementary. Here is what you actually need to know.

Bee Cave Elementary vs West Cypress Hills Elementary at a Glance

Numbers only tell you so much though. Let me give you the real picture of each campus.

Bee Cave Elementary: The Largest Campus in LTISD

Bee Cave Elementary is the biggest elementary school in Lake Travis ISD. With roughly 826 students, it has the kind of enrollment that gives it real scale. And scale comes with advantages you might not immediately think about.

What does that mean for your kid? More sections per grade level. More flexibility in class placement. A wider range of enrichment programs and extracurricular options. When a campus has that many families, the PTA tends to be well-funded and active, which translates directly into things like upgraded technology, additional classroom resources, and community events that actually feel like events.

Principal Kimberly Kellner leads the campus, and from what I have seen and heard from families over the years, she brings a steady, organized hand to a school that needs exactly that. Running the largest elementary in the district is no small task. You need systems. You need communication. And Kellner has built a reputation for both.

The location matters too. Bee Cave has grown significantly over the past decade. The Hill Country Galleria is right there. You have got grocery stores, restaurants, pediatricians, and pretty much everything a family needs within a few minutes of campus. For working parents, that convenience factor is huge. Drop-off, errand, back to the home office. It just works logistically.

But here is the trade-off that some families feel. A larger campus can sometimes feel less personal. Your child will have more classmates, which is great for social development. But if you are the type of parent who wants to know every teacher in the building by name, you might find that harder at a school this size. That is not a criticism. It is just reality. Some families thrive in that environment. Others want something smaller.

Want to see what is available near this campus? Browse homes zoned to Bee Cave Elementary here.

West Cypress Hills Elementary: Math, Community, and Hill Country Character

Now let me take you about 15 minutes further west. West Cypress Hills Elementary sits at 6112 Cypress Ranch Blvd in Spicewood, and the moment you drive out there, you feel the difference. The roads open up. The lots get bigger. The trees get taller. This is the Hill Country side of LTISD, and it shows.

With around 602 students, West Cypress Hills is a noticeably smaller campus than Bee Cave Elementary. And for a lot of families, that is the whole point. You get that feeling where the front office staff knows your kid by name. Where parents see each other at drop-off and actually stop to talk. Where the community wraps around the school in a way that bigger campuses sometimes struggle to replicate.

Principal Russ brings over 22 years of education experience to the role, including time as an assistant principal at Tobias Elementary in Hays ISD. With degrees from West Texas A&M, he understands Texas public education from the ground up. And that experience shows in how the campus runs. Parents I have worked with consistently mention the approachability of the leadership team at West Cypress Hills. You do not feel like you are navigating a bureaucracy when you have a question or concern.

One thing that stands out about West Cypress Hills? The math programs. This campus has built a genuine reputation for strong math instruction. If your child gravitates toward numbers and problem-solving, or if you just want a school that takes foundational math seriously, that is worth paying attention to. Strong math in elementary school compounds. It sets up everything that comes later in middle school and beyond.

The Spicewood and Cypress Ridge area surrounding the school has its own personality too. You are going to find more acreage properties out here. More custom homes. More families who specifically chose this part of the Hill Country because they wanted space and quiet. It is still LTISD. You still get all the district resources and reputation. But the neighborhood feel is distinctly more rural.

Curious about homes in this zone? See current listings near West Cypress Hills Elementary.

The Neighborhoods: Bee Cave vs Spicewood

So here is where your decision gets really interesting. Because choosing between these two schools is not just about the campuses. It is about the lifestyle you want.

Bee Cave has become one of the most sought-after addresses in the Austin metro. And for good reason. You are close to everything. Highway 71 gives you a straight shot into Austin. The retail and dining options keep expanding. The neighborhoods zoned to Bee Cave Elementary tend to feature master-planned communities with pools, trails, and that polished suburban feel. Property values reflect the demand, and homes here tend to move quickly.

The Spicewood side is a different proposition. You are trading some of that convenience for space and scenery. Commutes into Austin will be longer. You might not have a coffee shop around the corner. But you will have views. You will have room for your kids to run. And you will have neighbors who chose this area for the same reasons you did. There is a self-selecting quality to the West Cypress Hills community that creates a really strong sense of belonging.

Both areas are appreciating. Both are solidly within LTISD. The question is really about what your family values more on a daily basis. Convenience and energy? Or space and quiet?

If you want to explore Lakeway listings as well, that is another LTISD option worth considering depending on your priorities.

Which School Fits Your Family?

After helping families with this exact comparison for years, here is how I usually frame it.

Bee Cave Elementary might be your fit if:

• You want a larger campus with more program options and extracurricular variety
• Convenience and proximity to retail, dining, and services matters to your daily routine
• You prefer a master-planned neighborhood with community amenities
• You want the energy that comes with a bigger, bustling school community

West Cypress Hills Elementary might be your fit if:

• You value a smaller, more tight-knit school environment where staff knows your child personally
• Strong math instruction is a priority for your family
• You want more land, more space, and that rural Hill Country character
• You are drawn to a community where families chose the area intentionally for its pace and feel

There is no wrong answer here. Both schools are led by experienced principals. Both are part of a district that consistently ranks among the best in Central Texas. The difference comes down to fit. And fit is personal.

LTISD Resources and Special Education Support

One thing I always mention to families regardless of which campus they are considering. Lake Travis ISD provides district-wide resources that follow your child no matter which elementary they attend. Gifted and talented programs, counseling services, and special education support are available across all campuses.

As someone involved with LTISD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC), I can tell you firsthand that this district takes inclusion seriously. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, or if you suspect they might need one, LTISD has the infrastructure to support that. Both Bee Cave Elementary and West Cypress Hills Elementary participate in these district-level programs, so you are not giving anything up by choosing one over the other.

For a broader look at how all the LTISD elementary campuses compare, I put together a full comparison of Lake Travis ISD elementary schools that covers every campus in the district.

Let Me Help You Find the Right Fit

Choosing the right school is one of the biggest factors in choosing the right home. And it is one of those decisions where having someone who knows the area really well makes a difference. I have helped families land in both of these zones, and I can tell you honestly that the families who are happiest are the ones who thought carefully about what matters most to them before they started their home search.

If you are weighing Bee Cave Elementary vs West Cypress Hills Elementary and want to talk through what each area actually looks and feels like right now, I would love to help. Reach out to me here and let us figure out where your family belongs.