Ed 
Two Round Rock ISD Middle Schools, One A and One C
Noel Grisham Middle School earned an overall A rating from the Texas Education Agency in the 2024-25 accountability cycle. Deerpark Middle School earned a C ([Texas Tribune Schools Explorer](https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/round-rock-isd/)). Both campuses are in Round Rock ISD and sit within a few miles of each other in the northwest corridor of the district, but they feed into different high schools. Deerpark is part of the McNeil High School feeder; Noel Grisham is part of the Westwood High School feeder ([RRISD Westwood Learning Community](https://roundrockisd.org/vlc/westwood-vlc/)). That is a meaningful distinction for buyers who assume nearby middle schools share a high school path.
I have worked with buyers in this part of Round Rock for years, and this comparison comes up constantly. People see two middle schools a few minutes apart and assume the long term high school destination is the same. It is not. And the home price story flips what most people expect too. The higher rated school sits in a zone with a more accessible price point.
So lets look at why these two campuses perform so differently and what it means for your home search.
Deerpark vs Noel Grisham: Quick Comparison
| Deerpark Middle School | Noel Grisham Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating (2024-25) | C | A |
| Enrollment | 833 students | 572 students |
| Grades | 6 – 8 | 6 – 8 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Feeds Into | McNeil HS | Westwood HS |
Enrollment figures from Texas Tribune Schools Explorer ([Deerpark](https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/round-rock-isd/deerpark-middle-school/), [Noel Grisham](https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/round-rock-isd/noel-grisham-middle-school/)).
TEA School Performance Comparison (2024-25)
The Texas Education Agency rates every public school across three domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Here is how both campuses performed in the 2024-25 accountability cycle, as published by the Texas Tribune.
| Performance Domain | Deerpark Middle School | Noel Grisham Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C | A |
| Student Achievement | C | B |
| School Progress | D | B |
| Closing the Gaps | D | A |
| Enrollment | 833 students (grades 6-8) | 572 students (grades 6-8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 41.3% | 21.5% |
Source: [Texas Tribune Schools Explorer state-grade pages](https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/round-rock-isd/). Noel Grisham earned A’s and B’s across the board, with its strongest mark in Closing the Gaps. Deerpark scored a C in Student Achievement but D’s in School Progress and Closing the Gaps, which is what dropped the overall to C. The demographic data tells much of the story. Deerpark serves 41.3% economically disadvantaged students; Noel Grisham serves 21.5%. Those are different student populations, and TEA scores correlate heavily with that. It does not excuse the gap, but it explains a big chunk of it.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, visit the Deerpark Middle School school page or the Noel Grisham Middle School school page.
Noel Grisham: An A Rated Campus in the Westwood Feeder
Noel Grisham is a smaller campus serving 572 students in established neighborhoods of northwest Round Rock and Cedar Park. The campus is in the Westwood Learning Community, alongside Canyon Vista Middle School, all feeding into Westwood High School. The Westwood feeder is one of the strongest academic paths in Round Rock ISD.
The housing stock in the Noel Grisham zone is mostly from the 1990s and early 2000s, which keeps prices more accessible than in newer master planned areas. For buyers focused on a strong academic feeder path from middle school through high school, this zone is worth a serious look.
Deerpark: Bigger Campus, McNeil Feeder
Deerpark serves 833 students, making it noticeably larger than Noel Grisham. It is one of four middle schools that feed into McNeil High School, alongside Cedar Valley, Chisholm Trail, and Pearson Ranch ([McNeil HS feeder pattern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNeil_High_School)). The campus draws from neighborhoods northwest of Round Rock where many homes are in master planned communities with amenity centers, pools, and walking trails.
The C rating reflects a campus working hard to serve a complex student body. Buyers who weigh TEA numbers heavily will see that C and ask questions, and I understand why. The answer is usually about demographic mix and the School Progress and Closing the Gaps domains where Deerpark currently sits at D.
The Neighborhoods
Noel Grisham’s zone covers established neighborhoods near US 183 and Parmer Lane, areas like Anderson Mill and the surrounding subdivisions. These are mature neighborhoods with big trees and reasonable lot sizes. Deerpark’s zone extends into newer development areas further northwest, where the homes are newer but the lots are typically smaller and the trees are still growing.
If you want newer construction with community pools and playgrounds in the McNeil feeder, the Deerpark zone delivers that. If you want a stronger TEA profile and the Westwood High School path, the Noel Grisham zone is the move.
Browse all homes zoned to Deerpark Middle School or homes zoned to Noel Grisham Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
These schools sit in different high school feeder paths, so the long term destination is different. Deerpark leads to McNeil; Noel Grisham leads to Westwood. The question is which feeder fits your priorities and your budget.
You might lean toward Noel Grisham if:
- TEA ratings are a top priority for you
- You prefer a smaller campus where your student will not get lost in the crowd
- You want the Westwood High School feeder path through middle and high school
- Established 1990s and early 2000s neighborhoods appeal to you
You might lean toward Deerpark if:
- Newer construction and master planned community amenities matter to you
- The McNeil High School feeder is your target
- A larger school environment is something your student thrives in
- You want to be in one of the growing neighborhoods northwest of Round Rock
If TEA performance matters to you, the Noel Grisham zone deserves serious consideration. I have walked many buyers through this exact comparison, and once they understand the feeder difference and the rating gap, the decision usually becomes clear pretty quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
The McNeil and Westwood High School feeder patterns cover a wide range of neighborhoods and price points, and choosing the right middle school zone is a bigger deal than most people realize. I have been helping buyers in Round Rock ISD for over 19 years, and I know these neighborhoods inside and out. Lets connect and figure out the best fit for you.
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