Ed Neuhaus 
Is an A Rated Middle School Worth $80,000 More Than a B?
Cedar Park Middle School scored a 91 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating, earning an A. Running Brushy Middle School came in at 89 with a B. Both are Leander ISD middle schools, both serve the Cedar Park and Leander communities, and both deliver strong academic outcomes. The median home price near Cedar Park Middle is $600,000. Near Running Brushy, it is $680,000. So the B rated school actually sits in the more expensive zone.
Wait, that seems backwards right? It is. And the reason is simple: the Running Brushy zone draws from newer, more upscale master planned communities in the Leander and north Cedar Park area, where home prices reflect the housing stock and amenities more than the school rating. Cedar Park Middle’s zone covers more established parts of Cedar Park where prices are moderate but the school performance is exceptional. This is one of those Austin area comparisons where the school data and the price data tell opposite stories.
Cedar Park vs Running Brushy Middle: Quick Comparison
| Cedar Park Middle | Running Brushy Middle | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | B (89/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,364 students | 1,119 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Leander ISD | Leander ISD |
| Median Home Price | $599,950 | $679,990 |
| Feeds Into | Cedar Park / Leander / Vista Ridge HS | Leander ISD 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 | Cedar Park Middle | Running Brushy Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | B (89/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| School Progress | A (91/100) | B (88/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (91/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (90/100) | B (89/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,364 students (06 – 08) | 1,119 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 13.2% | 12.8% |
| English Learners | 7.8% | 6.2% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Cedar Park Middle leads in every domain, earning A grades across the board while Running Brushy earned all B grades. The gaps are consistent (2 to 3 points in each domain) rather than concentrated in any one area. Cedar Park Middle’s 7 of 7 distinctions and across the board A performance with 1,364 students is genuinely impressive. Running Brushy at 89 with 6 of 7 distinctions is also excellent. The demographic profiles are nearly identical, so the performance gap is a real reflection of campus level differences.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Cedar Park Middle school page or the Running Brushy Middle school page.
Cedar Park Middle: The A Rated Campus at a Lower Price
Cedar Park Middle is one of Leander ISD’s flagship campuses, and the A rating with all 7 distinctions reflects years of consistent investment and strong leadership. The school is larger at 1,364 students, which gives it the scale to offer diverse elective options, competitive athletics, and robust fine arts programming. The surrounding neighborhoods in central Cedar Park are well established and conveniently located along the 183 and 1431 corridors.
Running Brushy: Newer Community, Strong Performance
Running Brushy serves newer communities in the northern Cedar Park and Leander corridor. The campus is slightly smaller at 1,119 students and reflects the growth energy of the communities it serves. The B at 89 is strong by any measure, and the single point separating it from an A rating tells you this school is performing at a very high level. The higher median price of $680,000 reflects the newer housing stock in the zone rather than any deficiency in the school.
The Neighborhoods
Cedar Park Middle’s zone covers the heart of Cedar Park where homes range from the mid $400s to the $800s. Running Brushy’s zone extends into newer developments where homes trend newer and larger, pushing the median to $680,000. Both zones are thoroughly suburban with modern amenities and strong commercial infrastructure.
Browse all homes zoned to Cedar Park Middle or homes zoned to Running Brushy.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Cedar Park Middle if:
- The A rating and 7 of 7 distinctions are important to you
- You want to save $80,000 on your home purchase while getting a higher rated school
- Central Cedar Park location and established neighborhoods appeal to you
You might lean toward Running Brushy if:
- Newer construction and master planned community features are a priority
- The north Cedar Park and Leander corridor works better for your commute
- An 89 on the TEA scale satisfies your school quality requirements
Cedar Park Middle is the better school by the numbers and it costs less. That combination is unusual and worth highlighting. Running Brushy is excellent too, and the newer neighborhoods in its zone have their own appeal. But if school performance per dollar is what you are optimizing for, Cedar Park Middle is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Leander ISD middle schools are among the strongest in the metro, and I can help you navigate the zones that deliver the best value. Reach out and lets find your fit.
