Ed Neuhaus 
Two Strong Middle Schools, Two Different Districts, and a $135K Price Gap
Pearson Ranch Middle School in Round Rock ISD scored a 91 and earned an A. Leander Middle School in Leander ISD scored an 89 and earned a B. Both sit in the same general area north of Austin. Both serve between 870 and 980 students. Both earned all 7 TEA distinctions. The 2 point gap is negligible. But the median home price difference ($450,000 for Leander Middle vs $585,000 for Pearson Ranch) is not.
This is another one of those comparisons where the school data is nearly identical but the neighborhoods and price points tell a very different story. Leander Middle feeds into Leander High School and Glenn High School. Pearson Ranch feeds into McNeil High School. All three are strong high schools. So the full secondary pathway is solid either way. The $135,000 price difference is really about neighborhood age, housing stock, and the premium that some of the newer Round Rock ISD communities command.
Leander Middle vs Pearson Ranch: Quick Comparison
| Leander Middle School | Pearson Ranch Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B (89/100) | A (91/100) |
| Enrollment | 870 students | 979 students |
| Grades | 6 through 8 | 6 through 8 |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $450,000 | $585,000 |
| Feeds Into | Leander HS/Glenn HS | McNeil 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 | Leander Middle School | Pearson Ranch Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B (89/100) | A (91/100) |
| Student Achievement | B (85/100) | A (94/100) |
| School Progress | B (88/100) | A (91/100) |
| Academic Growth | B (88/100) | A (91/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | A (91/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 870 students (6 through 8) | 979 students (6 through 8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 25.3% | 18.0% |
| English Learners | 12.6% | 15.7% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 7 of 7 earned |
Here is what makes this comparison interesting: Leander Middle actually outperforms Pearson Ranch in Closing the Gaps (91 vs 85). That A rating means the school is doing an exceptional job serving all student groups, and it is doing it with a higher economically disadvantaged population (25.3% vs 18.0%). Pearson Ranch wins on Student Achievement (94 vs 85), which is a 9 point gap in raw test performance. School Progress and Academic Growth are close (3 points each). So Pearson Ranch has the higher testing students, but Leander Middle is more equitable in its outcomes. Both are excellent.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Leander Middle School page or the Pearson Ranch Middle School page.
Leander Middle: The Better Value Play
Leander Middle School has 870 students and sits in the city of Leander, drawing from neighborhoods in the northern part of Leander ISD. The B rating at 89 with an A in Closing the Gaps and all 7 distinctions is a resume that most middle schools in the Austin metro would envy. The school feeds into Leander High School (A rated, 90/100) and Glenn High School, giving residents two strong high school options.
At $450,000 median, the Leander Middle zone offers one of the best performance to price ratios in the Cedar Park and Leander corridor. The neighborhoods here include newer master planned communities and some established neighborhoods in old town Leander. You get a Leander ISD address with strong middle school data at a price point that is $135,000 below Pearson Ranch.
Pearson Ranch: Top Test Scores in Round Rock ISD
Pearson Ranch has 979 students and is one of Round Rock ISD’s newer middle school campuses. The 94 in Student Achievement is one of the highest middle school scores in the district, and it feeds into McNeil High School, which has a strong academic reputation. The campus draws from newer communities in the growth corridor near 183A and Avery Ranch, where homes tend to be newer construction with modern amenities.
The Neighborhoods
Leander Middle draws from Leander proper and surrounding neighborhoods. The $450,000 median gets you into a variety of homes, from newer builds in master planned communities to established properties closer to old town Leander. The area along 183A has seen significant commercial growth with new restaurants and retail.
Pearson Ranch’s zone covers the Avery Ranch, Brushy Creek, and 183A corridor communities in Round Rock ISD. The $585,000 median reflects the newer construction and community amenities in these areas. The neighborhoods are polished, the homes are newer, and the area has a more suburban feel than some of the Leander proper neighborhoods.
Browse all homes zoned to Leander Middle School or homes zoned to Pearson Ranch Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Leander Middle if:
- A $135,000 savings on median home price is significant for your budget
- The A in Closing the Gaps (91) and equitable outcomes matter to your assessment
- The Leander High School or Glenn High School pathway fits your plan
You might lean toward Pearson Ranch if:
- A 94 in Student Achievement and A ratings across three domains is your priority
- Newer construction in the Avery Ranch and Brushy Creek area appeals to you
- The McNeil High School pathway in Round Rock ISD is what you are looking for
At a 2 point overall gap with both schools earning 7 of 7 distinctions, you are splitting hairs on performance. The $135,000 price difference is the real decision point. If budget is a factor, Leander Middle is one of the best values in the entire Austin metro for a B/A rated middle school. If you want the newest homes and the Round Rock ISD brand, Pearson Ranch delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Whether you are looking in Leander ISD or Round Rock ISD, the middle school zone can make a real difference in both daily life and long term value. Lets connect and I will walk you through the current options in both zones.
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