Ed Neuhaus 
Williamson County Buyers Keep Asking About These Two Middle Schools
Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock ISD earned a B with an 86 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Wagner Middle School in Georgetown ISD earned a C with a 74. Both sit in Williamson County, both serve the growing communities north of Austin, and both have median home prices within $10,000 of each other. But the 12 point gap between them, combined with the fact that they feed into completely different high schools in different districts, makes this one of the more important comparisons for buyers considering the Hutto, Round Rock, and Georgetown corridor.
The question I hear most often is whether it is better to be in Round Rock ISD or Georgetown ISD, and the answer depends entirely on which campuses you are comparing. In this case, Hopewell has the clear advantage on paper. An 86 with B ratings across the board vs a 74 with a mix of C and D ratings (and an F in Closing the Gaps) is not a small difference. But Wagner is a newer campus in a rapidly growing part of Georgetown, and growing schools sometimes take a few years to find their footing.
Hopewell vs Wagner: Quick Comparison
| Hopewell Middle School | Wagner Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (86/100) | C (74/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,202 students | 837 students |
| Grades | 6 through 8 | 6 through 8 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Georgetown ISD |
| Median Home Price | $407,490 | $399,000 |
| Feeds Into | Stony Point HS | East View 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 | Hopewell Middle School | Wagner Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (86/100) | C (74/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (85/100) | D (67/100) |
| School Progress | B (80/100) | C (73/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (80/100) | C (73/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (88/100) | F (55/100) |
| Enrollment | 1,202 students (6 through 8) | 837 students (6 through 8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 33.7% | 43.6% |
| English Learners | 11.1% | 22.5% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 0 of 7 earned |
That Closing the Gaps number is striking. Hopewell scored an 88 (B) and Wagner scored a 55 (F). That is a 33 point gap in the domain that measures how well a school serves its full range of students, including economically disadvantaged and English Learner populations. Hopewell earned all 7 TEA distinctions. Wagner earned none. The Student Achievement gap of 18 points (85 vs 67) is also significant and suggests students at Wagner are not performing at the same level on state assessments.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Hopewell Middle School page or the Wagner Middle School page.
Hopewell: Strong Across the Board in Round Rock ISD
Hopewell is one of the larger middle schools in Round Rock ISD with 1,202 students, and it delivers consistent results. B ratings in every single TEA domain is not something many campuses this size can claim. The school feeds into Stony Point High School, which is one of Round Rock ISD’s two flagship high school campuses and consistently earns strong ratings. That full pathway (Hopewell to Stony Point) is one of the more reliable middle to high school transitions in the district.
The campus sits in the northeast part of Round Rock, near the communities along the 79 corridor. Hopewell draws from a mix of newer subdivisions and some established neighborhoods, creating a campus community that reflects the growth happening in this part of Williamson County. The 33.7% economically disadvantaged population and 11.1% English Learner percentage are moderate for the area, and the school’s 88 in Closing the Gaps shows it is serving those students well.
Wagner: A Growing Campus Still Finding Its Stride
Wagner Middle School serves 837 students in Georgetown ISD and feeds into East View High School. The campus is relatively new and serves the eastern and central portions of Georgetown, where a lot of the new residential development is happening. A C rating at 74 is not a crisis, but the F in Closing the Gaps (55) is the number that stands out. With 43.6% economically disadvantaged students and 22.5% English Learners, Wagner faces a more challenging population than Hopewell, and the school has not yet found the formula to lift outcomes for all subgroups.
The School Progress and Academic Growth scores of 73 (C) suggest the school is making incremental gains, but there is clearly room for improvement. Georgetown ISD has been investing in its newer campuses as the district grows, and Wagner is one to watch over the next couple of rating cycles.
The Neighborhoods
Hopewell’s zone covers the northeast Round Rock area, with many homes in newer subdivisions along the 79 corridor and extending toward Hutto. The median home price of $407,490 gets you into a range of new construction and recently built homes with modern floor plans and community amenities. This is one of the more affordable parts of Round Rock ISD while still delivering strong school performance.
Wagner draws from eastern and central Georgetown, including communities like Patterson Ranch and other developments east of I-35. The median of $399,000 is just $8,500 less than Hopewell, which means buyers are getting a very similar price point for a notably different TEA performance profile. Georgetown’s appeal (charming downtown, strong community feel) is real, but the school data should be part of the equation.
Browse all homes zoned to Hopewell Middle School or homes zoned to Wagner Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
At this price point, the performance gap makes Hopewell the stronger choice for most buyers who prioritize school data.
You might lean toward Hopewell if:
- TEA performance across all domains is a priority (B ratings in all five)
- The Stony Point High School pathway in Round Rock ISD appeals to you
- You want all 7 TEA distinctions at the middle school level
- A large campus with 1,202 students and the resources that come with it fits your preference
You might lean toward Wagner if:
- You specifically want to live in Georgetown for the community, downtown, and lifestyle
- The Georgetown ISD brand and long term district trajectory matter more to you than current campus scores
I will be direct: Hopewell is the stronger school right now, and it is not particularly close. A 12 point overall gap with a 33 point gap in Closing the Gaps and a distinction count of 7 vs 0 makes the case clearly. But I also understand that Georgetown has a quality of life that some buyers value above all else, and I respect that. You just need to go in with eyes open about where the school stands today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Choosing between Round Rock ISD and Georgetown ISD is one of the biggest decisions buyers in Williamson County face. Both districts have strengths, but the campus level data tells a more specific story. Lets get together and I will walk you through the options in both zones. I have been doing this for 19 years and I know these neighborhoods well.
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