Two Great Schools, Two Very Different Feels
So you’re narrowing your search in Lakeway and you’ve landed on two elementary schools that keep coming up. Lake Pointe Elementary and Lakeway Elementary. Both sit inside Lake Travis ISD. Both serve families in some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the area. But they are not the same school. Not even close.
Lake Pointe Elementary is the data-driven powerhouse. Ranked number one in the district and in the top 3% of all Texas elementary schools, it posts numbers that make parents do a double take. Lakeway Elementary is the heritage campus. The smallest elementary in LTISD, with a tight-knit community feel that families describe as “like a big family.” Both are excellent. The question is which kind of excellent matters most to your family.
I’ve spent over 15 years helping families navigate exactly this kind of decision in Lakeway and the surrounding Lake Travis area. And I can tell you that picking the right school almost always comes down to understanding what your family values day to day, not just what looks best on paper. Let me walk you through what I know about both campuses so you can make a confident choice.
Lake Pointe Elementary vs Lakeway Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Lake Pointe Elementary | Lakeway Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Julianne Reich | Matthew Nelson |
| Enrollment | ~757 students | ~592 students |
| District Rank | #1 in LTISD | Established heritage campus |
| State Ranking | Top 3% in Texas | Strong performer |
| Proficiency Rate | Over 80% | Solid LTISD standards |
| Campus Size Feel | Mid-size, high-achieving culture | Smallest elementary, tight-knit |
| Neighborhoods Served | Flintrock, Lake Pointe area | Established Lakeway core |
| Best Known For | Academic performance, data results | Community, tradition, small-school feel |
Lake Pointe Elementary: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
There’s no way around it. When you look at Lake Pointe Elementary on paper, it jumps off the page. Ranked number one among all LTISD elementary schools and sitting in the top 3% statewide, this campus has built a reputation for academic excellence that attracts families from across the region.
Over 80% of students are hitting proficiency benchmarks. That’s not a number you see at most schools. And it doesn’t happen by accident. Principal Julianne Reich has built a culture on that campus where high expectations are just the baseline. Teachers push. Students rise. And the results follow.
But here’s what I think matters just as much as those rankings. The parent community at Lake Pointe is deeply engaged. You’ll see that in the PTA involvement, the volunteer numbers, and the way families talk about the school at neighborhood events. When a campus performs at this level, it usually means the families around it are equally invested in education. That creates a cycle that feeds on itself in the best way possible.
With roughly 757 students, Lake Pointe is not a small school. But it’s not massive either. It sits in that sweet spot where your child won’t get lost, but they will be surrounded by a motivated peer group. If academic performance is at the top of your priority list, this campus is going to check a lot of boxes for you.
Want to see what’s available nearby? You can browse homes zoned to Lake Pointe Elementary here.
Lakeway Elementary: The Campus That Feels Like Home
Lakeway Elementary is a different kind of school. And I mean that as a genuine compliment. As the smallest elementary in LTISD with around 592 students, it offers something that larger campuses simply cannot replicate. Everyone knows everyone. Teachers know your kid by name. Parents know each other. The front office staff recognizes you when you walk in.
That might sound like a small thing until you’re the parent of a kindergartner who’s nervous on the first day of school. Or until your fourth grader is struggling with something and you need a teacher who actually sees your child as an individual. That’s where Lakeway Elementary shines.
The campus is getting fresh leadership in 2025 with Principal Matthew Nelson stepping in. Nelson brings over 10 years of campus leadership experience, a Master’s degree from Concordia University, and a BA from the University of North Texas. That combination of experience and education signals someone who knows how to lead a school. And for a heritage campus like Lakeway Elementary, bringing in a seasoned administrator who can honor the school’s traditions while moving it forward is exactly the kind of hire families want to see.
Lakeway Elementary sits in the established core of Lakeway. These are the neighborhoods that built this community. Many of the families zoned here have been in the area for years, some for generations. That stability creates a school culture that feels rooted and intentional. You won’t find a revolving door of families cycling in and out. You’ll find neighbors who chose this community and stayed.
If your family values a school where your child is truly known and the community wraps around you, Lakeway Elementary deserves a very close look. See homes zoned to Lakeway Elementary.
The Neighborhoods Behind Each School
One thing I always tell families is that you’re not just choosing a school. You’re choosing a neighborhood. And the neighborhoods feeding into these two campuses have their own personalities.
Lake Pointe Elementary draws from the Flintrock and Lake Pointe areas. These tend to be newer communities with more recently built homes, manicured landscaping, and that polished suburban feel. Many of the families here relocated specifically for the school’s reputation. You’ll notice a high concentration of dual-income professional households, and the amenities in these neighborhoods reflect that. Pools, trails, community centers. It’s a very well-put-together pocket of Lakeway.
Lakeway Elementary pulls from what I’d call the heart of Lakeway. The established core. These neighborhoods have mature trees, larger lots in many cases, and that settled-in character that only comes with time. Some of these homes date back to when Lakeway was still finding its identity as a community. The trade-off is that you might find older construction in some areas, but you get a location that feels authentically Lakeway in every sense.
Both areas are safe, family-friendly, and well-maintained. The difference really comes down to whether you want the energy of a newer, high-performing corridor or the charm of an established community with deep roots. For a broader look at what’s available, you can explore all Lakeway homes for sale.
Which School Fits Your Family?
So how do you decide? I’ve helped hundreds of families work through this, and it usually comes down to a few honest questions.
Are test scores and rankings your top priority? Then Lake Pointe Elementary is the clear front-runner. Its top 3% ranking in Texas is not something you see every day, and that level of academic culture tends to push every student to perform at a higher level.
Do you want the smallest possible school environment? Lakeway Elementary wins here hands down. With 165 fewer students than Lake Pointe, your child will get more individual attention and you’ll build deeper connections with other families.
Does your child thrive in a competitive academic setting? Lake Pointe’s high-achieving culture creates a peer group where academic effort is normalized. That can be a powerful motivator for kids who are already self-driven.
Does your child need a gentler, more community-oriented environment? Lakeway Elementary’s small-school feel and heritage culture create an environment where kids can grow without the pressure of being at the “top-ranked” campus.
Are you looking for newer construction in your home? The Flintrock and Lake Pointe neighborhoods feeding Lake Pointe Elementary tend to offer more modern inventory.
Do you want an established neighborhood with character? The Lakeway core neighborhoods around Lakeway Elementary offer that mature, settled feel.
There is no wrong answer here. Both schools operate inside Lake Travis ISD, which is one of the strongest districts in Central Texas. Your child will get an excellent education at either campus. The question is really about fit.
How These Schools Fit Into LTISD’s Bigger Picture
If you’re comparing more than just these two campuses, I’ve put together a broader breakdown of all the elementary options in the district. You can read that here: Lake Travis ISD Elementary Schools Compared. It covers enrollment, performance, and what makes each campus unique so you can see the full landscape before making a decision.
And if you’re a parent of a child with special learning needs, I want you to know about LTISD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC). I’ve been involved with SEPAC for years because I believe every family deserves strong advocacy when it comes to their child’s education. Both Lake Pointe and Lakeway Elementary serve students with a range of needs, and SEPAC is an incredible resource for making sure your child gets the support they deserve.
Ready to Find Your Family’s Home?
Choosing between Lake Pointe Elementary and Lakeway Elementary is really about choosing the daily life you want for your family. The morning drop-off routine. The neighbors you wave to. The parent community you plug into. Those things matter as much as any ranking or test score.
I’ve been doing this for over 15 years, and the families who are happiest with their decision are the ones who took the time to think about fit, not just statistics. If you want to talk through what makes sense for your situation, I’m always happy to help. No pressure, no pitch. Just honest guidance from someone who knows these schools and neighborhoods inside and out.
Get in touch with me here and let’s find the right home in the right school zone for your family.