Ed Neuhaus 
Bluebonnet Dropped to a D. Parmer Lane Held Its C. Buyers in Northeast Round Rock Need to Know the Difference.
Parmer Lane Elementary scored a 78 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, holding steady at a C. Bluebonnet Elementary, about two miles east in the same Round Rock ISD, scored a 64 and earned a D. Both schools serve the northeast corridor of the district, and the median home prices are remarkably similar at $342,000 for Bluebonnet and $479,900 for Parmer Lane.
Wait, that price gap is actually bigger than I expected. A $138K difference is meaningful, and it is worth understanding why. The Bluebonnet zone includes more affordable housing stock while the Parmer Lane zone picks up some of the slightly newer developments along the 45 Toll corridor. But the TEA gap only runs 14 points. So you are paying more for a modestly better school score, plus different neighborhood characteristics.
I work with buyers in this part of Round Rock regularly, and the honest truth is that neither campus is going to win any TEA awards right now. But there is a real difference between a C and a D, especially when you are talking about your kid’s school. Lets break it down.
Bluebonnet vs Parmer Lane: Quick Comparison
| Bluebonnet Elementary | Parmer Lane Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | D (64/100) | C (78/100) |
| Enrollment | 413 students | N/A |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $342,000 | $479,900 |
| Feeds Into | Hernandez / Deerpark MS, McNeil / Westwood HS | Canyon Vista / Deerpark MS, McNeil / Westwood 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 | Bluebonnet Elementary | Parmer Lane Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | D (64/100) | C (78/100) |
| Student Achievement | F (51/100) | C (78/100) |
| School Progress | D (65/100) | C (75/100) |
| Academic Growth | D (65/100) | C (75/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | F (51/100) | C (73/100) |
| Enrollment | 413 students (EE – 05) | N/A |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 70.9% | N/A |
| English Learners | 58.8% | N/A |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
Bluebonnet’s weakest spots are Student Achievement and Closing the Gaps, both earning an F at 51 out of 100. Those are the two domains that most directly measure whether students are learning at grade level and whether the school is reaching every student group. Parmer Lane posted Cs across the board, which is not exciting but is significantly stronger than what Bluebonnet is delivering.
Neither school earned any TEA distinctions. But Parmer Lane is at least in the range where a good year could push it into B territory. Bluebonnet would need a substantial turnaround to climb out of the D range.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Bluebonnet Elementary school page or the Parmer Lane Elementary school page.
Parmer Lane Elementary: Affordable and Functional
Parmer Lane sits in a part of Round Rock ISD that has been growing steadily for years. The school zone picks up neighborhoods along the Parmer Lane and I-35 corridors, areas that offer some of the best value in the district. A C rating with a 78 overall is not going to turn heads, but it represents a campus that is meeting basic academic standards across the board. For buyers in the $480K range who need to be in Round Rock ISD, that baseline is meaningful.
The feeder pattern from Parmer Lane includes paths to Canyon Vista Middle School (an A rated campus) and eventually to McNeil or Westwood High School. That downstream quality helps offset some of the concern about the elementary score.
Bluebonnet Elementary: The Budget Option, with Caveats
Bluebonnet has the lowest median home price in this comparison at $342,000. For buyers trying to get into Round Rock ISD on a tight budget, that number is hard to ignore. But the school is dealing with real academic challenges. Over 70% of students are economically disadvantaged and nearly 59% are English Learners. Those populations need significant support, and the TEA data suggests the campus is not yet delivering it at the level the district expects.
The D rating with an F in two domains is a warning sign. I would encourage any buyer considering the Bluebonnet zone to visit the campus, talk to the principal about improvement plans, and think carefully about whether the savings justify the current academic picture.
The Neighborhoods
The Bluebonnet and Parmer Lane zones both serve the northeast quadrant of Round Rock ISD. Bluebonnet draws from more affordable apartment adjacent neighborhoods east of I-35, while Parmer Lane picks up slightly newer subdivisions along the 45 Toll corridor. Both zones have good access to the tech employment centers along Parmer Lane and the I-35 corridor.
Browse all homes zoned to Bluebonnet Elementary or homes zoned to Parmer Lane Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Parmer Lane if:
- You want the stronger TEA performance between the two options
- Access to the Canyon Vista Middle School feeder matters
- Your budget can reach the $480K range in Round Rock ISD
You might lean toward Bluebonnet if:
- Your budget is under $350K and you need Round Rock ISD specifically
- You are an investor looking for rental properties in a strong school district
- You plan to supplement with tutoring or enrichment programs
The 14 point TEA gap is not trivial, and the $138K price difference reflects genuinely different housing stock, not just school performance. Parmer Lane is the stronger academic pick. But Bluebonnet’s price point opens the door to Round Rock ISD for buyers who might otherwise be priced out of the district entirely. That matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Round Rock ISD has a wide range of school performance even within the same part of the district, and picking the right zone can save you headaches down the road. I have been helping buyers make these decisions for 19 years. Lets find the right fit for your budget and your priorities.
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