Ed Neuhaus 
Two A Rated Middle Schools, One Point Apart
Kelly Lane Middle School scored a 92 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA report. Ridgeview Middle School scored 91. Both earned A ratings. Both are in Round Rock ISD. Both earned all 7 TEA distinctions. And the median home price near both campuses? Virtually identical at $397,500 for Kelly Lane and $398,151 for Ridgeview. This is about as close as two schools can get.
So why bother comparing them? Because when you are buying a home and the school zone is one of your top three criteria (and for a lot of my clients, it is number one), the subtle differences between two excellent schools can actually matter. These are not campuses you choose between because one is clearly better. You choose between them based on which neighborhood, which commute, and which feeder pattern lines up best with what your life actually looks like.
I have sold homes in both of these zones, and the honest answer is that you are in a great spot either way. But lets dig in anyway.
Kelly Lane vs Ridgeview: Quick Comparison
| Kelly Lane Middle | Ridgeview Middle | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students | 1,249 students |
| Grades | 6 – 8 | 6 – 8 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $397,500 | $398,151 |
| Feeds Into | McNeil High School | Round Rock / Westwood 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 | Kelly Lane Middle | Ridgeview Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (91/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | B (86/100) | B (86/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (86/100) | B (86/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (93/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 910 students (6-8) | 1,249 students (6-8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 19.3% | 17.1% |
| English Learners | 9.3% | 8.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
These scores are borderline identical. Student Achievement: 91 and 91. School Progress: 86 and 86. Academic Growth: 86 and 86. The only separation is in Closing the Gaps, where Kelly Lane edges ahead with a 93 compared to Ridgeview’s 91. Both are A ratings in that domain, so even the difference there is marginal. I cannot remember the last time I compared two schools and found domain scores this closely matched.
Demographically, the schools are similar too. Kelly Lane has 19.3% economically disadvantaged students, Ridgeview has 17.1%. English Learner percentages are 9.3% and 8.9%. These are well resourced suburban campuses serving communities that invest heavily in education, and the results reflect that investment across the board.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Kelly Lane Middle School page or the Ridgeview Middle School page.
Kelly Lane: The McNeil Feeder with Wells Branch Character
Kelly Lane sits in the southern portion of the Round Rock ISD footprint, serving neighborhoods in the Wells Branch area and surrounding communities along the Parmer Lane corridor. This part of the district has a settled, mature feel that comes from decades of steady residential development. Wells Branch itself operates as a municipal utility district with an impressive community infrastructure including a recreation center, parks, and a trail network that connects neighborhoods throughout the area. It is the kind of community infrastructure that you do not fully appreciate until you are living there and using it every Saturday morning.
Kelly Lane feeds into McNeil High School, one of Round Rock ISD’s established campuses with a broad AP curriculum, dual enrollment options, and competitive athletics and performing arts programs. The full K through 12 pathway here, from elementary through McNeil, creates a consistent academic experience where students move through familiar cultures and shared expectations at each level. That continuity matters more than people think.
The 910 student enrollment at Kelly Lane gives it a slightly more personal scale compared to Ridgeview. For students who benefit from a campus where teachers know their name and can track their development closely, that difference in size can be significant. Not better or worse, just different.
Ridgeview: Larger Campus, Same Academic Firepower
Ridgeview serves 1,249 students, making it about 37% larger than Kelly Lane. That additional scale means more elective options, more sports teams, and more opportunities for students to find their niche. In a middle school setting, where kids are figuring out who they are and what they are interested in, having a wider menu of programs can make a real difference.
The Ridgeview zone sits in the Round Rock proper corridor and feeds into multiple high school options within the district. Ridgeview residents have access to well regarded high schools that carry the same Round Rock ISD academic standards. The neighborhoods here offer a mix of established subdivisions with mature landscaping and newer communities that have expanded as the district has grown northward.
The Neighborhoods
Both zones land in the $397,000 to $398,000 median price range, which positions them in the sweet spot of the north Austin suburban market. You get Round Rock ISD quality without stretching into the premium price tiers that some of the district’s western zones command.
The Kelly Lane corridor benefits from its proximity to the Domain, making it one of the more convenient Round Rock ISD zones for people who work or socialize in north Austin. MoPac, I-35, and SH 45 all provide commute options from this area. The Ridgeview corridor sits a bit further into Round Rock itself, which means you are closer to the heart of the city’s dining, retail, and community amenities along the I-35 frontage.
Browse all homes zoned to Kelly Lane or homes zoned to Ridgeview.
Which School Fits You?
When the TEA scores are this close, the school comparison becomes a neighborhood comparison. And that is actually fine.
You might lean toward Kelly Lane if:
- A smaller campus with 910 students and a more personal feel appeals to you
- The Wells Branch community amenities (trails, rec center, parks) are a lifestyle draw
- You want easy access to the Domain and the MoPac corridor for work or entertainment
- The McNeil High School feeder pattern is a specific priority
You might lean toward Ridgeview if:
- A larger campus with 1,249 students and more elective and extracurricular options is important
- You prefer living in the Round Rock proper area with its restaurants, shops, and community identity
I will be real: picking between Kelly Lane and Ridgeview based on academics alone is basically a coin flip. Both campuses are doing exceptional work. The decision here comes down to which neighborhood fits your commute, your lifestyle, and the kind of community you want to live in. And that is a conversation I love having with buyers because there is no wrong answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
When both schools earn A ratings and the median price is virtually identical, the decision comes down to the neighborhood. That is where 19 years of selling homes in this market actually pays off. I know which streets, which subdivisions, and which pockets of each zone deliver the best value and lifestyle fit. Lets figure out your move together.
