Ed Neuhaus 
Two A Rated Round Rock ISD Elementaries, Nearly 400 Students Apart
Elsa England Elementary scored a 95 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Fern Bluff Elementary scored a 92. Both earned straight A ratings across every domain. Both sit in Round Rock ISD, one of the strongest public school districts in the Austin metro. And both feed into high schools with excellent reputations. So what is the actual difference here?
Size. Elsa England has 987 students. Fern Bluff has 595. That is a significant gap, and it changes the campus experience in ways that do not show up on a TEA scorecard. Elsa England is one of the larger elementaries in Round Rock ISD, which means more sections per grade, more extracurricular options, and a bigger community. Fern Bluff is more of a mid size campus with a neighborhood school feel that some buyers specifically seek out.
I have walked both of these neighborhoods dozens of times with buyers over the years, and the conversation almost always comes back to one question: do you want the energy of a large, newer campus or the quieter feel of an established one? Both deliver academically. The TEA data makes that clear. But the daily experience is different, and so are the homes.
Elsa England vs Fern Bluff: Quick Comparison
| Elsa England Elementary | Fern Bluff Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (95/100) | A (92/100) |
| Enrollment | 987 students | 595 students |
| Grades | PK through 5 | PK through 5 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $646,450 | $786,950 |
| Feeds Into | Cedar Valley/Pearson Ranch MS, Round Rock/McNeil HS | Chisholm Trail MS, Round Rock 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 | Elsa England Elementary | Fern Bluff Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (95/100) | A (92/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (95/100) | A (92/100) |
| School Progress | A (95/100) | A (90/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (95/100) | A (90/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (94/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 987 students (PK through 5) | 595 students (PK through 5) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 3.4% | 11.4% |
| English Learners | 40.2% | 15.1% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
What jumps out immediately is that Elsa England has 40.2% English Learners and still posted a 95 overall. That is an exceptionally strong result for a campus serving a significant English Learner population. Fern Bluff has 15.1% English Learners and a smaller campus, so the comparison is not apples to apples in terms of the challenge each school faces. Both earned 6 of 7 TEA distinctions, which is outstanding.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Elsa England Elementary school page or the Fern Bluff Elementary school page.
Elsa England: The Newer, Larger Campus With Impressive Results
Elsa England is one of Round Rock ISD’s newer elementary campuses, and it has quickly established itself as a top performer. The school serves nearly 1,000 students, which makes it one of the bigger elementaries in the district. That scale brings advantages: more resources, more programming options, and a broader community. The campus sits in the growth corridor along the 45 Toll and Highway 79 area, surrounded by newer master planned communities and subdivisions that have been filling in rapidly over the last several years.
The 40.2% English Learner population is notable and speaks to the diversity of the neighborhoods feeding into Elsa England. The fact that the school posted a 95 overall while serving that population is, honestly, remarkable. It suggests strong instructional support, dedicated ESL resources, and a campus culture that lifts every student. Round Rock ISD has invested heavily in these newer campuses, and Elsa England is a clear example of that investment paying off.
Fern Bluff: Established and Consistent
Fern Bluff has been a Round Rock ISD staple for years. The campus has a more traditional neighborhood school feel with 595 students and a PK through 5 setup. It feeds into Chisholm Trail Middle School and then Round Rock High School, which is one of the flagship high schools in the district. The neighborhoods around Fern Bluff tend to be more established with mature trees, larger lots, and homes that have some character to them (not the cookie cutter new build look, which some buyers want and some definitely do not).
A 92 overall with straight A ratings across every domain is excellent by any standard. Fern Bluff has been performing at this level consistently, which gives buyers confidence that the results are not a one year anomaly.
The Neighborhoods
Elsa England draws from newer communities in the eastern part of Round Rock, generally along the 79 corridor. The median home price of $646,450 reflects the newer construction and slightly smaller lots typical of these developments. You get a lot of house for the money compared to some of the more established Round Rock neighborhoods, and the commute to downtown Austin via 45 Toll or I-35 is straightforward.
Fern Bluff’s zone sits in the more established part of Round Rock, closer to the original town center. The median is $786,950, which is about $140,000 more than Elsa England. That premium reflects the mature neighborhoods, larger lots, and proximity to Round Rock’s downtown area with its restaurants and shops along Main Street.
Browse all homes zoned to Elsa England Elementary or homes zoned to Fern Bluff Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
This is one of those comparisons where there is no wrong answer. Both schools are excellent.
You might lean toward Elsa England if:
- You want newer construction at a lower price point
- A large, well resourced campus with nearly 1,000 students appeals to you
- A 95 TEA score with strong Academic Growth metrics is your priority
You might lean toward Fern Bluff if:
- You prefer an established neighborhood with mature trees and character
- A smaller campus with 595 students sounds right
- Feeding into Chisholm Trail and Round Rock High School matters to your long term plan
- You want to be closer to downtown Round Rock
I will say this: Elsa England’s ability to post a 95 with 40% English Learners is something that deserves more attention than it gets. That is not just good teaching, that is exceptional school leadership. But Fern Bluff’s consistency and established community have their own value that does not show up on a scorecard. Either school puts you in a great position in Round Rock ISD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Round Rock ISD school zone decisions can feel overwhelming because so many of the options are genuinely good. That is a nice problem to have. I have been helping buyers in this area for 19 years and I know these neighborhoods well. Lets set up a time to talk about what matters most to you and I will pull current listings in both zones so you can see exactly what is available.
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