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If you are comparing Lake Travis Elementary vs Rough Hollow Elementary, you are looking at two campuses that tell very different stories. One is the classic, established heart of Lakeway. The other opened its doors in 2020 and still has that new-school energy. But both sit inside Lake Travis ISD, and both serve families who care deeply about where their kids learn every day.
So which one fits your family better? That depends on what you value most. Let me walk you through the details so you can make a confident decision.
Lake Travis Elementary vs Rough Hollow Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Lake Travis Elementary | Rough Hollow Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Amanda Prehn (AP: Lauryn Bryan) | Angela Page (25+ years in education) |
| Students | ~712 | ~751 |
| Opened | Established campus | 2020 |
| Standout Feature | Most diverse campus in LTISD | STEM maker space & modern facilities |
| Neighborhood Feel | Classic neighborhood school | New community energy |
| Zone | Largest zone, heart of Lakeway | Rough Hollow & Sweetwater |
Both schools are comparable in size, which means your child is not going to feel lost in a massive campus or squeezed into a tiny one. But the similarities mostly stop at the numbers. The personality of each school is where the real differences show up.
Lake Travis Elementary: The Heart of Lakeway
Lake Travis Elementary sits right in the center of Lakeway, and it feels like it. This is the kind of campus where generations of families have walked the same hallways. You know that feeling when a school just feels like it belongs in a neighborhood? That is Lake Travis Elementary.
Principal Amanda Prehn leads the campus alongside Assistant Principal Lauryn Bryan. Together they oversee roughly 712 students, and they have built a culture that leans heavily into community. If you are the kind of parent who wants to know your child’s teacher by name and run into other school families at the grocery store, this is that school.
But here is something that sets LTE apart from every other elementary in the district. It is the most diverse campus in all of Lake Travis ISD. And that is not a small thing. For families who want their kids growing up alongside children from different backgrounds, this matters. Your child learns more than reading and math at school. They learn how to navigate a world full of people who do not all look or think the same way. LTE gives them a head start on that.
The campus also covers the largest attendance zone in the district. So you will find families from all across the Lakeway area feeding into this school. That bigger zone contributes to the diversity and also means the school draws from a wide range of neighborhoods and housing types.
Is the building the newest in the district? No. But what it lacks in shiny new construction, it more than makes up for in character and roots. There is something to be said for a school that has been doing this well for a long time. The systems are in place. The traditions are real. And the community around it is deeply invested.
You can browse homes zoned to Lake Travis Elementary here.
Rough Hollow Elementary: The Newest Campus in LTISD
Now let me take you to the other end of the spectrum. Rough Hollow Elementary opened in 2020, making it the newest elementary campus in Lake Travis ISD. And you can tell the moment you walk in.
Everything about this school was designed with modern education in mind. The hallways are wider. The learning spaces are more flexible. And then there is the STEM maker space, which is honestly one of the coolest things I have seen in any LTISD elementary. Your kids get hands-on access to tools and technology that simply did not exist in schools ten years ago. If your child is the kind who wants to build, tinker, experiment, and ask “what if,” Rough Hollow Elementary was practically built for them.
Principal Angela Page brings over 25 years of experience in education to this campus. That is a combination you do not always get. A brand new facility led by someone who has seen it all. She is not figuring things out as she goes. She is building something intentional from day one, and the results show in how the school operates.
With approximately 751 students, RHE is just slightly larger than Lake Travis Elementary. But the feel is different. Because the school and the surrounding neighborhoods grew up together, there is a tight-knit energy that comes from everyone being new at the same time. Nobody has 20 years of history here. Everyone is building traditions together, and that creates a unique kind of excitement and ownership among families.
The campus primarily serves families in the Rough Hollow and Sweetwater communities. Both of these are newer, master-planned developments with resort-style amenities, trails, and a strong sense of neighborhood identity. So the school reflects that same energy. It is polished, purposeful, and forward-looking.
The Neighborhoods: Where You Live Decides Where You Go
This is always the part of the conversation where real estate and schools collide. Because in Lake Travis ISD, your home address determines your campus. You do not get to choose between these two schools unless you are choosing between two different neighborhoods.
If you want your child at Lake Travis Elementary, you are looking at homes in the heart of Lakeway. Think established neighborhoods with mature trees, a mix of price points, and that classic Lakeway feel. You are close to everything. Shopping, restaurants, the lake. And your neighbors have probably been there for a while.
If Rough Hollow Elementary is your target, you are looking at Rough Hollow and Sweetwater. These communities are newer, with more modern architecture and HOA amenities like pools, fitness centers, and marina access. The homes tend to be newer construction with open floor plans and the finishes buyers expect in 2025 and beyond.
So the question is not just “which school do you prefer” but “which lifestyle fits your family better?” An established neighborhood with deep roots, or a newer community that is still writing its story?
You can start exploring all available homes in Lakeway here.
Which School Fits Your Family?
Let me make this simple. Neither school is better than the other. They are just different. And different families need different things.
You might lean toward Lake Travis Elementary if:
- You value a diverse student body and want your child exposed to a wide range of backgrounds
- You love the idea of a classic neighborhood school with deep community roots
- You prefer established Lakeway neighborhoods with a mix of housing options
- You want a campus where traditions and systems have been refined over many years
You might lean toward Rough Hollow Elementary if:
- Modern facilities and STEM-focused learning spaces are high on your list
- You want your child in a school designed from the ground up for how kids learn today
- You are drawn to newer master-planned communities with resort-style amenities
- You like the idea of being part of a community that is building its identity together
And honestly? Some families visit both neighborhoods and just know. You walk through the community, you drive past the school, and something clicks. Trust that feeling. It matters more than any comparison chart.
What About Special Education and Support Services?
This is a topic I care about personally. As a longtime member of LTISD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC), I have spent over 15 years working alongside families who need more from their schools than just strong academics.
Both Lake Travis Elementary and Rough Hollow Elementary operate within the same district framework for special education services. So the core programs, therapies, and support structures are consistent. But every campus implements things a little differently based on their staff, their space, and their culture.
If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, or if you suspect they might need additional support, I would encourage you to visit both campuses and ask specific questions about how they handle services. And if you want someone in your corner who understands the process from both the parent side and the real estate side, that is exactly where I can help.
You can learn more about all the elementary options in the district in my full guide to Lake Travis ISD elementary schools compared.
Let Me Help You Find the Right Fit
Choosing between Lake Travis Elementary vs Rough Hollow Elementary is really about choosing the neighborhood and lifestyle that works best for your family. And that is a conversation I have with families every single week.
With over 15 years of experience helping families buy and sell homes in Lakeway and the Lake Travis area, I know these schools, these neighborhoods, and these communities inside and out. I do not just pull up listings. I help you match your family’s priorities to the right home in the right zone.
So if you are narrowing things down and want to talk through your options, reach out to me directly. I am happy to walk you through what is available, schedule tours, and make sure you feel great about where your kids will go to school.
