Caldwell Heights vs Double File Trail: Two Cs in Round Rock

Two C Rated Round Rock ISD Elementaries, Three Points Apart, and Very Different Trend Lines

Caldwell Heights Elementary scored a 78 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Double File Trail Elementary scored a 75. Both are C rated campuses in Round Rock ISD, both serve the northeast corridor of the district, and the difference between them is just three points overall. But when you dig into the domain scores, the story gets more nuanced.

Double File Trail earned an F in Closing the Gaps with a 58. Caldwell Heights stayed at a C with a 72. That 14 point gap in the hardest domain to score well on tells you something about how effectively each campus is reaching every student group. For a buyer who is trying to decide between these two zones (and the median prices are close, $349,000 at Caldwell Heights versus $374,950 at Double File Trail), that kind of detail matters.

I have been working this part of Round Rock for years. These are both solid, affordable neighborhoods in a strong school district. But the nuances are worth understanding. Lets get into it.

Caldwell Heights vs Double File Trail: Quick Comparison

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.

The headline here is the Closing the Gaps domain. Double File Trail scored an F at 58, which drags the overall picture down significantly despite Cs in the other three domains. Caldwell Heights managed a C at 72 across all four domains, which is more balanced even if not flashy. Neither school earned any TEA distinctions.

Here is what is interesting: Caldwell Heights actually serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (60.1% vs 42.6%) and English Learners (33.9% vs 17.0%) than Double File Trail. Yet Caldwell Heights outscored it on Closing the Gaps by 14 points. That suggests Caldwell Heights is doing a better job meeting the needs of its most vulnerable students, which is exactly what that domain measures.

For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Caldwell Heights Elementary school page or the Double File Trail Elementary school page.

Caldwell Heights Elementary: Balanced Scores, Affordable Neighborhoods

Caldwell Heights serves the northern reaches of Round Rock ISD, pulling from neighborhoods along the I-35 corridor near Hutto. The campus has 626 students and is posting balanced C scores across all domains. That consistency is actually a positive indicator. When a school is not wildly strong in one area and weak in another, it suggests a campus that is working methodically across its entire program rather than excelling in one spot while neglecting others.

The $349,000 median home price makes this one of the most affordable zones in Round Rock ISD. For buyers trying to get into the district without stretching their budget, Caldwell Heights delivers a functional school at a price point that is hard to beat.

Double File Trail Elementary: Watch the Closing the Gaps Score

Double File Trail posted Cs in Student Achievement, School Progress, and Academic Growth, which looks fine on the surface. But the F in Closing the Gaps (58) is a red flag. That domain measures whether the school is effectively serving all student subgroups, and a failing score there means some students are being left behind. For a campus with 42.6% economically disadvantaged students, that needs attention.

The neighborhoods around Double File Trail offer slightly newer homes than the Caldwell Heights zone, and the $374,950 median reflects that. The area has good access to the 45 Toll and I-35, putting employment centers in both Austin and Round Rock within easy reach.

The Neighborhoods

Both zones serve the northeast side of Round Rock ISD. Caldwell Heights draws from the more affordable, older neighborhoods closer to Hutto. Double File Trail draws from slightly newer subdivisions along the 45 Toll corridor. The $26K price difference at the median is not huge, but Caldwell Heights gives you more balanced TEA performance for less money.

Both zones share the same feeder pattern into Hopewell or Walsh Middle School and then Cedar Ridge or Stony Point High School. So the secondary school experience is essentially identical regardless of which elementary you choose.

Browse all homes zoned to Caldwell Heights Elementary or homes zoned to Double File Trail Elementary.

Which School Fits You?

You might lean toward Caldwell Heights if:

• Balanced TEA performance across all domains matters to you
• You want the lowest entry point in northeast Round Rock ISD
• The campus’s stronger Closing the Gaps score (C vs F) is important

You might lean toward Double File Trail if:

• You prefer newer housing stock and subdivisions
• The 45 Toll corridor is more convenient for your commute
• You are less concerned about the Closing the Gaps domain specifically

For a three point overall difference, this is a close call. But that Closing the Gaps F at Double File Trail would give me pause. Caldwell Heights is doing more with a harder student population and posting better balance across the board. At $26K less at the median, it gets my nod for value.

Ready to Find Your Home?

Northeast Round Rock ISD has some of the best value in the Austin metro, and knowing which school zone to target can make a real difference. I have been helping buyers make these kinds of decisions for 19 years. Lets figure out which zone works for you.

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