Ed Neuhaus 
One Point Separates These Two A Rated Round Rock ISD Elementaries
Great Oaks Elementary scored a 93 on the 2025 TEA rating. Fern Bluff Elementary scored a 92. One point on a 100 point scale. Both earned A ratings, both sit within Round Rock ISD, and both feed into strong high school campuses. The median home price near Fern Bluff is $786,950 versus $514,900 near Great Oaks, a $272,000 gap for essentially identical academic performance. If you are looking for value in Round Rock ISD, this comparison should get your attention.
Fern Bluff draws from the established neighborhoods of northwest Round Rock near FM 1431. Great Oaks serves communities in the Cedar Valley corridor closer to Highway 79. Both are doing exceptional work academically, so the decision here is really about neighborhood character, commute patterns, and how much you want to spend.
Fern Bluff vs Great Oaks: Quick Comparison
| Fern Bluff Elementary | Great Oaks Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (92/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 595 students | 866 students |
| Grades | PK – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $786,950 | $514,900 |
| Feeds Into | Chisholm Trail MS → Round Rock HS | Cedar Valley 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 | Fern Bluff Elementary | Great Oaks Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (92/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (91/100) | A (92/100) |
| School Progress | A (93/100) | A (94/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (93/100) | A (94/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (87/100) | B (88/100) |
| Enrollment | 595 students (PK – 05) | 866 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 11.8% | 20.7% |
| English Learners | 5.9% | 10.3% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Great Oaks edges Fern Bluff by one point in every single domain. These scores are so close they are essentially statistical noise. Both earned 6 of 7 distinctions. And Great Oaks accomplishes this with a higher economically disadvantaged rate (20.7% vs 11.8%) and more English learners (10.3% vs 5.9%). Dollar for dollar, Great Oaks delivers the stronger value proposition here, no question about it.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Fern Bluff Elementary page or the Great Oaks Elementary page.
Fern Bluff: Established Northwest Round Rock
Fern Bluff serves 595 students in the established northwest Round Rock corridor. The school feeds into Chisholm Trail Middle School and then Round Rock High School. The neighborhoods here were built primarily in the 1990s and 2000s, with mature landscaping, generous lot sizes, and the kind of settled in character that newer developments cannot replicate.
The $786K median reflects the premium location along FM 1431 and the desirability of established Round Rock neighborhoods where homes are larger, lots are more generous, and the community feels genuinely rooted.
Great Oaks: Newer Construction, Same A Rating
Great Oaks is a larger campus (866 students) in the Cedar Valley corridor of Round Rock. The school feeds into Cedar Valley Middle School and then Round Rock High School (the same high school as Fern Bluff). Homes in this zone tend to be newer construction with modern floor plans and energy efficient features. The $514K median is $272K less than Fern Bluff for a school that scores one point higher.
The Great Oaks zone has been one of the growth areas in Round Rock ISD, and the school’s consistent A rating has made it a magnet for buyers who do their homework on the data. When I show buyers this comparison, the value at Great Oaks usually gets their attention immediately.
The Neighborhoods
Fern Bluff draws from neighborhoods along FM 1431 and Sam Bass Road, where you will find spacious homes on established lots with mature trees. The area has excellent access to the IH-35 and Highway 183 corridors and sits near Round Rock’s commercial core.
Great Oaks serves communities in the Cedar Valley area along Highway 79, where newer construction dominates and master planned communities offer amenities like pools, trails, and community centers. The area is growing rapidly and offers more modern housing stock at a lower price point.
Browse all homes zoned to Fern Bluff or homes zoned to Great Oaks.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Fern Bluff if:
- You prefer established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and larger lots
- You value the Chisholm Trail Middle School feeder path specifically
- Budget flexibility at the $700K+ level is not a constraint
You might lean toward Great Oaks if:
- You want an A rated elementary at $272K less than Fern Bluff
- Newer construction with modern amenities appeals to you
- The school’s ability to score 93 with a more diverse student body impresses you
Great Oaks is the better value. Period. One point higher on the TEA score, a more diverse student body, and $272K less on the median home. Both schools feed into Round Rock High, so the long term destination is the same. If you want character and established trees, Fern Bluff delivers. If you want the best bang for your buck in an A rated zone, Great Oaks wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Round Rock ISD is loaded with A rated elementaries, and I know which zones deliver the best value. Lets connect and find the right fit for your budget and your priorities.
