Ed Neuhaus 
Cactus Ranch Just Posted a 97 on TEA. That Is One of the Highest Scores in Texas.
Cactus Ranch Elementary in Round Rock ISD scored a 97 out of 100 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Parkside Elementary in Leander ISD scored a 91. Both earned A ratings. Both serve the growing communities north of Austin. And both have low percentages of economically disadvantaged students (under 4% for each). But a 97 is rarified air. Only a handful of elementary schools in Texas score that high, and Cactus Ranch is one of them.
Parkside’s 91 is excellent by any standard. A ratings in Student Achievement (92), School Progress (93), and Academic Growth (93) show a campus that is performing at the top of its game. But Cactus Ranch posted A ratings across every single domain with no score below 96. That kind of consistency is extraordinary. The median home price in the Cactus Ranch zone ($692,000) is actually lower than Parkside ($754,450), which is one of those market dynamics that does not make intuitive sense until you look at the specific neighborhoods.
Parkside vs Cactus Ranch: Quick Comparison
| Parkside Elementary | Cactus Ranch Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | A (97/100) |
| Enrollment | 804 students | 693 students |
| Grades | KG through 5 | EE through 5 |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $754,450 | $692,000 |
| Feeds Into | Stiles MS, Rouse HS | Walsh MS, Round Rock 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 | Parkside Elementary | Cactus Ranch Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | A (97/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | A (97/100) |
| School Progress | A (93/100) | A (96/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (93/100) | A (96/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (85/100) | A (96/100) |
| Enrollment | 804 students (KG through 5) | 693 students (EE through 5) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| English Learners | 19.7% | 16.9% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
The Closing the Gaps spread is the biggest difference: 96 vs 85, an 11 point gap. Cactus Ranch’s A in that domain compared to Parkside’s B means it is doing an exceptional job serving all student groups, which is impressive even with a low economically disadvantaged percentage. Student Achievement (97 vs 92) and Academic Growth (96 vs 93) show consistent 3 to 5 point advantages for Cactus Ranch. Both schools earned 6 of 7 distinctions.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Parkside Elementary school page or the Cactus Ranch Elementary school page.
Cactus Ranch: Near Perfect TEA Performance in Round Rock ISD
Cactus Ranch has 693 students and sits in the Brushy Creek area of Round Rock ISD. A 97 overall with no domain score below 96 is about as close to a perfect TEA scorecard as you will see anywhere in the state. The school feeds into Walsh Middle School (which also posted excellent scores) and then Round Rock High School, which is the flagship campus of the district.
The neighborhoods around Cactus Ranch are newer construction in the Brushy Creek corridor, with community pools, trails, and the kind of amenities that master planned communities offer. At $692,000 median, you are getting a top tier school with a strong secondary pathway at a price that is actually below the Parkside zone.
Parkside: Leander ISD’s A Rated Newcomer
Parkside has 804 students and sits in the northern Leander ISD area near the Crystal Falls and Leander proper communities. The A rating at 91 is strong, and the 93 in both School Progress and Academic Growth show a campus where students are improving at an impressive rate. The school feeds into Stiles Middle School and then Rouse High School.
The $754,450 median reflects the newer, larger homes in the master planned communities that feed into Parkside. Leander ISD’s growth in this corridor has been significant, and the school has scaled up to 804 students while maintaining its A rating.
The Neighborhoods
Cactus Ranch draws from the Brushy Creek and Ranch at Brushy Creek communities in Round Rock. The $692,000 median gets you into newer homes (2010s through present) with modern floor plans, community amenities, and good access to the 45 Toll and 183A. The area feels suburban but well connected.
Parkside’s zone covers communities in the northern Leander area along 183A and Crystal Falls Parkway. The $754,450 median is $62,000 higher than Cactus Ranch and reflects slightly newer construction and larger lot sizes in some areas. The Leander ISD brand and the rapid growth in this corridor keep demand strong.
Browse all homes zoned to Parkside Elementary or homes zoned to Cactus Ranch Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
Both schools are A rated. Both serve similar populations. This is about fine tuning your priorities.
You might lean toward Cactus Ranch if:
- A 97 TEA score with A ratings across every domain is the standard you are looking for
- The Round Rock HS pathway via Walsh Middle School appeals to you
- A $62,000 lower median home price with a higher TEA score is appealing
You might lean toward Parkside if:
- You prefer the Leander ISD district and the northern Leander lifestyle
- A 93 in Academic Growth and School Progress is more than sufficient
- The Rouse High School pathway works for your family plan
I will be honest: a 97 is hard to beat. Cactus Ranch is among the best elementary schools in Texas right now, and it costs less than Parkside. But Parkside’s 91 is also excellent, and Leander ISD is a strong district. You are choosing between great and slightly greater here, which is a wonderful problem to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
When you are choosing between two A rated schools in two strong districts, the decision comes down to neighborhood fit and lifestyle. Lets talk about what matters to you and I will show you what is available in both zones.
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