Ed Neuhaus 
Two A Rated Leander ISD Elementaries, One Point Apart, and a $24K Difference in Home Prices
Parkside Elementary scored a 91 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Tarvin Elementary scored a 90. Both earned A ratings in Leander ISD. Both serve over 800 students. And the median home prices are within $24,000 of each other ($754,450 for Parkside vs $778,000 for Tarvin). When the TEA data and the price points are this close, the decision really comes down to neighborhood character, campus size, and which secondary pathway you prefer.
Parkside feeds into Stiles Middle School and then Rouse High School. Tarvin feeds into Danielson or Knox Wiley Middle School and then Glenn or Rouse High School. So there is some overlap at the high school level (Rouse), but the middle school experience is different. Both campuses have low economically disadvantaged percentages (under 6%) and both are in the growth corridors of northern Leander ISD where new homes are still going up.
This is one of those “good problem to have” comparisons. Either school puts you in a strong position.
Parkside vs Tarvin: Quick Comparison
| Parkside Elementary | Tarvin Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | A (90/100) |
| Enrollment | 804 students | 835 students |
| Grades | KG through 5 | EE through 5 |
| District | Leander ISD | Leander ISD |
| Median Home Price | $754,450 | $778,000 |
| Feeds Into | Stiles MS, Rouse HS | Danielson/Knox Wiley MS, Glenn/Rouse 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 | Tarvin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | A (90/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (92/100) | A (91/100) |
| School Progress | A (93/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (93/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (85/100) | B (88/100) |
| Enrollment | 804 students (KG through 5) | 835 students (EE through 5) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 3.1% | 5.3% |
| English Learners | 19.7% | 32.5% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
Parkside leads in School Progress and Academic Growth by 4 points each (93 vs 89). Tarvin leads in Closing the Gaps by 3 points (88 vs 85). Student Achievement is separated by a single point. Both earned 6 of 7 distinctions. Tarvin has 32.5% English Learners compared to Parkside’s 19.7%, which makes its 90 overall even more impressive in context. Posting an A with nearly a third of the student body classified as English Learners is a strong result.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Parkside Elementary school page or the Tarvin Elementary school page.
Parkside: Consistent A Ratings and the Rouse Pathway
Parkside serves 804 students in the Crystal Falls and northern Leander area. The campus has been a consistent performer in Leander ISD, and the A rating with 93 in School Progress and Academic Growth shows a school where students are making real gains year over year. The Stiles Middle School to Rouse High School pathway is well established and provides a clear academic trajectory through graduation.
The neighborhoods feeding into Parkside are newer master planned communities with community pools, parks, and trail systems. The $754,450 median reflects the newer construction and the Leander ISD premium in this corridor.
Tarvin: Strong Results With Higher Linguistic Diversity
Tarvin has 835 students and a 32.5% English Learner population, which is notably higher than Parkside. Posting a 90 overall with an A rating and 6 of 7 distinctions while serving that population is impressive. The school feeds into multiple middle schools (Danielson and Knox Wiley) and then Glenn or Rouse High School, giving residents some flexibility in the secondary pathway.
The $778,000 median is $24,000 more than Parkside and reflects the specific communities in the Tarvin zone, which include some larger lot homes and newer construction in the far north Leander area.
The Neighborhoods
Both school zones draw from newer communities in the northern Leander ISD corridor along 183A. Parkside’s neighborhoods tend to be slightly closer to the 183A commercial corridor. Tarvin’s zone extends further north into areas that still have a more rural feel in some spots, with larger lots and newer developments going up.
Browse all homes zoned to Parkside Elementary or homes zoned to Tarvin Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
At a 1 point gap with identical letter grades and distinction counts, the TEA data will not choose for you.
You might lean toward Parkside if:
- The 93 in School Progress and Academic Growth is a priority
- A direct pathway to Stiles MS and Rouse HS keeps things simple
- A $24,000 lower median home price is a nice bonus
You might lean toward Tarvin if:
- The 88 in Closing the Gaps (3 points higher than Parkside) signals broader equity
- You want the option of Glenn High School in the feeder pattern
- The early education through 5th grade configuration (vs KG through 5 at Parkside) matters
Pick the neighborhood you love. Both schools will serve your students well. I say that as someone who has been selling homes in this corridor for years and has seen both campuses deliver consistent results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Leander ISD’s northern corridor is full of strong school options. Lets find the right one for you. I have been working this area for 19 years.
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