Ed Neuhaus 
A 97 From TEA Is Almost Unheard Of. Cactus Ranch Did It.
Cactus Ranch Elementary scored a 97 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning a A. Fern Bluff Elementary scored a 92, earning a A. Both serve the greater Austin metro area, and buyers comparing these two zones will find that the differences go well beyond the headline numbers. The neighborhoods, the price points, and the long term school pathways each tell their own story.
Both campuses are in Round Rock ISD. The median home price near Cactus Ranch sits around $692,000, while Fern Bluff’s zone comes in at $787,000. That price context matters as much as the TEA scores when you are making a real estate decision, and I have found that most buyers care about both.
I have been helping buyers navigate school zones across the Austin area for 19 years, and comparisons like this one come up in my conversations all the time. So lets dig into the data and figure out what it actually means for your home search.
Cactus Ranch vs Fern Bluff: Quick Comparison
| Cactus Ranch Elementary | Fern Bluff Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (97/100) | A (92/100) |
| Enrollment | 693 students | 595 students |
| Grades | EE through 5th | PK through 5th |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $692,000 | $787,000 |
| Feeds Into | Walsh MS and Westwood HS | Cedar Valley MS and 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 | Cactus Ranch Elementary | Fern Bluff Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (97/100) | A (92/100) |
| Student Achievement | A/97 | A/92 |
| School Progress | A/96 | A/90 |
| Academic Growth | A/96 | A/90 |
| Closing the Gaps | A/96 | A/91 |
| Enrollment | 693 students (EE through 5th) | 595 students (PK through 5th) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 2.9% | 11.4% |
| English Learners | 16.9% | 15.1% |
| TEA Distinctions | 5 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
The performance data reveals meaningful differences between these two campuses. Cactus Ranch posts a A overall at 97 while Fern Bluff comes in at A with a 92. The demographic context matters here: Cactus Ranch serves 2.9% economically disadvantaged students and 16.9% English Learners, compared to 11.4% and 15.1% at Fern Bluff. Those numbers shape how we should interpret the raw scores.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Cactus Ranch school page or the Fern Bluff school page.
Cactus Ranch: What Buyers Should Know
Cactus Ranch serves 693 students in EE through 5th as part of Round Rock ISD. The campus earned a A rating (97/100) from TEA in 2025, with 5 of 7 earned for distinctions. The median home price in the zone sits around $692,000, and the feeder pattern leads to Walsh MS and Westwood HS. For buyers considering this zone, the combination of school performance, price point, and neighborhood character all factor into the decision.
The Round Rock ISD reputation gives this campus a foundation that extends beyond any single year’s TEA results. District wide resources, consistent leadership, and community engagement all contribute to the educational experience students receive on this campus.
Fern Bluff: What Buyers Should Know
Fern Bluff enrolls 595 students in PK through 5th within Round Rock ISD. The campus posted a A rating (92/100) in 2025 with 0 of 7 earned in the distinctions column. At a $787,000 median, the zone offers a premium price point compared to Cactus Ranch. The feeder pathway goes through Cedar Valley MS and Westwood HS.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones offer distinct neighborhood experiences. The Cactus Ranch zone at $692,000 median and the Fern Bluff zone at $787,000 median reflect different segments of the local market. Whether you prioritize school ratings, price accessibility, neighborhood character, or commute convenience, understanding both options lets you make a decision grounded in real data rather than assumptions.
Browse all homes zoned to Cactus Ranch or homes zoned to Fern Bluff.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Cactus Ranch if:
- The A rating at 97/100 meets your expectations for school performance
- The $692,000 median price point fits your budget
- The Walsh MS and Westwood HS feeder pathway aligns with your long term plans
You might lean toward Fern Bluff if:
- The A rating at 92/100 better matches what you are looking for
- The $787,000 price point and neighborhood character appeal to you
- The Cedar Valley MS and Westwood HS pathway is the right fit for your situation
Every buyer weighs these factors differently, and there is no single right answer. What I can tell you after 19 years in this market is that the best home purchase is the one where you understand all the trade offs before you sign. These two zones offer genuinely different propositions, and knowing which one aligns with your priorities is the first step toward making a confident decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
I have been helping buyers compare school zones across the Austin metro for 19 years, and I know these neighborhoods at a level that only comes from doing this every single day. Whether you are narrowing down between these two zones or exploring the broader market, lets connect and figure out the right fit for your situation.
