Ed Neuhaus 
Your Buyer is Zoned to One of These Round Rock ISD Middle Schools. Which One Should They Want?
Kelly Lane Middle School scored a 92 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Pearson Ranch Middle School came in at 91. Both are A rated campuses in Round Rock ISD, both feed into strong high schools, and both serve growing communities north of Austin along the 183 and I-35 corridors. On paper, these two look almost identical.
In practice, the differences are subtle but real. Kelly Lane’s zone centers around the Wells Branch and Parmer Lane area with a median home price around $450,000. Pearson Ranch draws from Avery Ranch and the communities along 45, where the median price sits closer to $585,000. That is a $135,000 gap for schools that are separated by a single point on the TEA scale. So for buyers trying to decide between northwest Round Rock and the Avery Ranch corridor, the school comparison alone does not settle the question. You need the full picture.
And that is exactly what we are going to walk through right now. Both of these campuses are excellent. Lets figure out which neighborhood actually works for you.
Kelly Lane vs Pearson Ranch Middle: Quick Comparison
| Kelly Lane Middle | Pearson Ranch Middle | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students | 979 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $450,000 | $585,000 |
| Feeds Into | McNeil High School | McNeil / Round Rock High School |
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 | Kelly Lane Middle | Pearson Ranch Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | A (94/100) | B (88/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (94/100) | A (90/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (88/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students (06 – 08) | 979 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 19.3% | 18.0% |
| English Learners | 9.3% | 15.7% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
Both schools earned all 7 TEA distinctions, which is the gold standard for Texas public schools. The interesting wrinkle here is where each school excels. Kelly Lane leads in School Progress (94 vs 88) and Academic Growth (94 vs 90), which means students at Kelly Lane are showing more year over year improvement relative to their starting point. Pearson Ranch has the edge in Closing the Gaps at 93 vs 88, demonstrating strong outcomes across all student demographic groups. If you are a data person, those domain differences are worth thinking about, but honestly both profiles are excellent.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, visit the Kelly Lane Middle school page or the Pearson Ranch Middle school page.
Kelly Lane: The Value Play in Round Rock ISD
Kelly Lane sits in the Wells Branch and Parmer Lane corridor, which is one of the most underrated areas in the Austin metro for buyers who want Round Rock ISD schools without Round Rock prices. The zone pulls from neighborhoods that offer genuinely affordable homes by Austin standards, with a median around $450,000 and plenty of inventory under $400,000 if you are willing to look at older construction or townhomes.
The feeder pattern sends students to McNeil High School, another strong Round Rock ISD campus. For buyers who are doing the long term math on school quality versus monthly payment, Kelly Lane’s zone is hard to beat. You get A rated schools from middle school through high school, all within a district that has been one of the most consistent performers in the state, and you do it at a price point that leaves room in your budget for actual living.
Pearson Ranch: Avery Ranch Proximity and a Premium Feel
Pearson Ranch Middle draws from communities like Avery Ranch, Davis Spring, and Forest North Estates, which are some of the most desirable master planned neighborhoods in the 183 corridor. The homes are newer on average, the amenities are more polished, and the overall feel is distinctly suburban in the best sense of the word. Pools, parks, hike and bike trails, and community events are woven into the fabric of daily life out here.
The school itself is newer than Kelly Lane and reflects the population growth that has made this part of Round Rock one of the fastest developing areas in the metro. Pearson Ranch feeds into both McNeil and Round Rock High School depending on your address, and Round Rock High’s 95 TEA score is one of the best in the region. That dual feeder option is a genuine selling point for buyers who want to maximize their high school options.
The Neighborhoods
Kelly Lane’s zone is more established and more price diverse. You will find everything from 1990s era homes that have been well maintained to newer construction in pockets along Wells Branch Parkway. The area is walkable in spots, bikeable along the Brushy Creek trail system, and well connected to north Austin employment centers via 183 and MoPac.
Pearson Ranch’s zone is newer and more uniform. The master planned communities here were built with modern buyers in mind, which means wider sidewalks, community pools, playgrounds, and that clean suburban aesthetic. The trade off is price. You are paying $135,000 more in median home cost for a school that is one point lower on the TEA scale. The premium is for the neighborhood, not the school.
Browse all homes zoned to Kelly Lane Middle or homes zoned to Pearson Ranch Middle.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Kelly Lane Middle if:
- Budget is a primary concern and you want an A rated Round Rock ISD campus under $450,000
- You prefer a more established neighborhood feel over master planned community polish
- The Wells Branch and Parmer Lane corridor works for your commute
You might lean toward Pearson Ranch Middle if:
- You want newer construction with master planned amenities
- The Avery Ranch lifestyle appeals to you
- Having the option to feed into Round Rock High School (95 TEA) is important
- You are comfortable in the $550,000 to $650,000 price range
The reality is both of these are A rated middle schools in the same district. You are not making a bad choice either way. The question is really about what kind of neighborhood you want to come home to every day, and what the monthly payment looks like on a home that gets you there. That is a conversation worth having with someone who knows both areas well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are comparing school zones in Round Rock ISD, you are already doing the right kind of research. I have been helping buyers navigate these neighborhoods for over 19 years, and I can tell you that the difference between a good purchase and a great one often comes down to understanding the details that do not show up on a rating chart. Lets talk about what you need and find the right fit. Get in touch and lets make it happen.
