Ed Neuhaus 
When a C and an A Share the Same Corner of Williamson County
Chandler Oaks Elementary scored a 93 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Jim Plain Elementary scored a 76. Both schools sit in Williamson County, both serve the northwest Austin suburban corridor, and homes zoned to either campus are within about 8 miles of each other. But they belong to different districts and the gap between them is significant, not just in test scores but in the kind of community you are buying into.
Jim Plain is a Leander ISD campus. Chandler Oaks belongs to Round Rock ISD. That distinction matters more than most buyers realize because these two districts, while both strong overall, have very different campus level results when you get down to individual schools. And in a market where school zone often determines your home search radius, understanding what each campus actually delivers is the first step toward making a smart decision.
I have shown homes in both of these zones more times than I can count, and the buyer conversations always get interesting when we start comparing the data side by side. So lets do exactly that.
Jim Plain vs Chandler Oaks: Quick Comparison
| Jim Plain Elementary | Chandler Oaks Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (76/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 699 students | 574 students |
| Grades | EE through 5th | PK through 5th |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $420,000 | $413,000 |
| Feeds Into | Leander Middle → Leander HS | Walsh Middle → Westwood / Round Rock / 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 | Jim Plain Elementary | Chandler Oaks Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (76/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (73/100) | A (93/100) |
| School Progress | C (75/100) | A (93/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (75/100) | A (93/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (77/100) | A (92/100) |
| Enrollment | 699 students (EE through 5th) | 574 students (PK through 5th) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 24.0% | 15.7% |
| English Learners | 14.9% | 22.5% |
| TEA Distinctions | 0 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
The gap here is real and it shows up everywhere. Chandler Oaks earned straight A’s across every domain, which is genuinely hard to do. Jim Plain sits at a consistent C across the board. One number that catches my eye though is that Chandler Oaks has a higher percentage of English Learners (22.5% vs 14.9%) and still posts those A ratings. That is a campus that is doing the work across its entire student population, not just in a few high performing pockets.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Jim Plain school page or the Chandler Oaks school page.
Jim Plain: Leander ISD’s Accessible Entry Point
Jim Plain Elementary sits in the Leander corridor, drawing from neighborhoods that tend to be newer and more affordable than what you find in many other parts of Williamson County. The campus feeds into Leander Middle and then Leander High School, which gives buyers a clear and simple pathway through the district. Leander ISD has invested heavily in technology across its campuses and the district as a whole maintains a strong reputation, even if individual campus scores vary.
The neighborhoods in the Jim Plain zone reflect what Leander does best: solid suburban communities with parks, trails, and easy access to the 183A corridor. Homes here tend to skew toward newer construction, and the price points are approachable for buyers who want Williamson County schools without stretching into higher brackets. For buyers who plan to be in a home for 5 to 10 years, the Leander growth story adds a potential upside to the value equation.
Chandler Oaks: A Campus That Delivers at Every Level
A 93 overall with A ratings across the board and 6 of 7 TEA distinctions is not something many campuses can claim. Chandler Oaks sits in the Mayfield Ranch and Stone Oak corridor of northwest Round Rock, an area that has attracted buyers for years because of the mature neighborhoods, the proximity to outdoor amenities, and the strong Round Rock ISD feeder pipeline. The Walsh Middle to Westwood High pathway is one of the most sought after in the entire Austin metro, and Chandler Oaks is the front door to that journey.
What surprises some buyers is that the median home price in the Chandler Oaks zone ($413,000) is actually slightly lower than Jim Plain’s ($420,000). Now that will fluctuate with inventory, and the numbers were very close when I pulled them. But it does mean you are not necessarily paying more for the higher rated school. That is not always the case in this market, so it is worth noting.
The Neighborhoods
Jim Plain draws from Leander neighborhoods along the 183A and Highway 29 corridor, with a mix of newer master planned communities and some older established subdivisions. The area has easy access to Cedar Park shopping and dining, and the MetroRail commuter line at Leander station is a legitimate transportation option for those working south.
Chandler Oaks pulls from Behrens Ranch, the Preserve at Stone Oak, and Village Mayfield Ranch, among others. These are communities with pools, greenbelts, and the kind of established neighborhood infrastructure that takes years to develop. The Brushy Creek trail system runs through the area, giving residents one of the best trail networks in the suburbs.
Browse all homes zoned to Jim Plain Elementary or homes zoned to Chandler Oaks Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
This is one of those comparisons where the data makes the conversation pretty straightforward.
You might lean toward Jim Plain if:
- You are specifically drawn to the Leander corridor and want to be part of a growing community
- The single feeder pathway (Leander Middle to Leander High) appeals to your planning
- You value MetroRail commuter access
You might lean toward Chandler Oaks if:
- TEA scores and distinctions are a top priority in your school search
- The Westwood High School feeder pathway matters to you (it should, it is elite)
- You want established neighborhoods with mature amenities at a competitive price point
- A campus that serves a diverse student body and still earns A’s across the board is important to you
I am not going to sugarcoat this one. If school performance is your primary driver, Chandler Oaks is the stronger campus by a significant margin. And the fact that it comes at a similar or even slightly lower price point makes the math even more compelling. But school ratings are one factor in a home purchase, not the only factor. The right neighborhood, the right commute, the right house at the right price, all of that matters too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Whether the Leander corridor or the Round Rock side of Williamson County feels right, I can walk you through both zones and help you find a home that checks every box. I have been working this market for 19 years and I know these neighborhoods inside and out. Lets set up a time to talk about what matters most to you.
