Ed Neuhaus 
Cedar Valley Scored a 94. Walsh Scored a 93. Two of Round Rock ISD’s Best Middle Schools, Head to Head.
Cedar Valley Middle School scored a 94 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Walsh Middle School scored a 93. Both are A rated campuses in Round Rock ISD, both serve the northern corridor of the district, and the difference between them is exactly one point. This is not a comparison about which school is struggling. This is about choosing between two genuinely excellent middle schools and understanding what makes each one tick.
I work with buyers in this part of Round Rock regularly, and the Cedar Valley versus Walsh question comes up every time someone is shopping the area north of 45 Toll. Both schools feed into strong high schools. Both have active campuses with engaged communities. And both zones have similar median home prices ($547,000 for Cedar Valley, $575,000 for Walsh). So the decision usually comes down to neighborhood preference and feeder pattern nuances.
Lets look at the data and see where the subtle differences lie.
Cedar Valley vs Walsh: Quick Comparison
| Cedar Valley Middle School | Walsh Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (94/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,305 students | 1,208 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $547,000 | $575,000 |
| Feeds Into | Cedar Ridge / Stony Point HS | Cedar Ridge / Stony Point 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 Valley Middle School | Walsh Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (94/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (95/100) | A (94/100) |
| School Progress | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (88/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,305 students | 1,208 students |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 10.6% | 13.3% |
| English Learners | 9.6% | 9.8% |
| TEA Distinctions | 3 of 7 earned | 2 of 7 earned |
Cedar Valley holds a slight edge in every domain. Student Achievement 95 vs 94. School Progress and Academic Growth both 92 vs 89. Closing the Gaps 88 vs 85. But these are all A or high B scores. Walsh earned 2 TEA distinctions, Cedar Valley earned 3. Both campuses are performing at an elite level, and the differences are marginal.
What stands out is the Closing the Gaps performance at both schools. An 88 and an 85 in that domain is excellent for middle schools, particularly with 10% or more economically disadvantaged students and nearly 10% English Learners. Both campuses are reaching all student groups effectively.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, visit the Cedar Valley Middle School page or the Walsh Middle School page.
Cedar Valley Middle School: The Slightly Higher Scorer
Cedar Valley is the larger campus at 1,305 students and holds a one point overall edge. The 95 in Student Achievement is the highest score of any domain at either school, meaning Cedar Valley students are performing at an exceptional level on state assessments. The campus serves the growth areas west of I-35 in the northern part of Round Rock ISD, drawing from newer subdivisions with strong community infrastructure.
At a $547,000 median, the Cedar Valley zone offers slightly lower prices than the Walsh zone. For buyers who want the highest TEA scores at the best price in this corridor, Cedar Valley has a razor thin advantage.
Walsh Middle School: Named for a Reason
Walsh is named after James Garland Walsh and has built a reputation as one of Round Rock ISD’s premier middle school campuses. A 93 overall with A scores in Student Achievement and solid Bs in the growth domains is outstanding. The 1,208 student enrollment is slightly smaller than Cedar Valley, which some buyers prefer for a slightly more intimate campus feel.
The Walsh zone sits at a $575,000 median, about $28K higher than Cedar Valley. The neighborhoods around Walsh include some of the well established communities in the northern reaches of Round Rock, with mature tree canopy and the kind of settled feel that distinguishes older neighborhoods from new construction.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones serve the northern half of Round Rock ISD and share the same high school feeder into Cedar Ridge or Stony Point High School. The neighborhoods are similar in character: suburban, well maintained, and convenient to the I-35 and 45 Toll corridors. The $28K price gap at the median is modest, and both zones represent strong value for A rated middle school performance.
Browse all homes zoned to Cedar Valley Middle School or homes zoned to Walsh Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Cedar Valley if:
- You want the marginally higher TEA score (94 vs 93)
- A lower entry point ($547K vs $575K) matters
- The slightly stronger Student Achievement score (95 vs 94) appeals to you
You might lean toward Walsh if:
- You prefer more established neighborhoods with mature landscaping
- A slightly smaller campus (1,208 vs 1,305 students) is important
- The specific Walsh zone neighborhoods appeal to your lifestyle
This is a coin flip, honestly. Both schools are outstanding. The one point difference does not mean anything in practical terms. Pick the neighborhood you love and know that either middle school is going to give your student an excellent education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
When both options are this good, the decision comes down to which neighborhood feels right. I have been helping buyers find their perfect fit in Round Rock ISD for over 19 years. Lets talk.
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