Ed Neuhaus 
Parmer Lane Scored a C. Caraway Scored a D. Both Are in Round Rock ISD Under $510K.
Parmer Lane Elementary earned a C with a 78 on the 2025 TEA accountability rating. Caraway Elementary earned a D with a 64. Both are Round Rock ISD campuses, both serve high percentages of economically disadvantaged students, and both sit in the more affordable corridors of the district. The 14 point gap is meaningful, but the real question for buyers on a budget is whether that gap justifies a $24,000 difference in median home price ($480K for Parmer Lane vs $504K for Caraway).
Here is what makes this interesting: Caraway costs more than Parmer Lane despite scoring 14 points lower on TEA. The Caraway zone feeds into Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School, which is one of the top academic high schools in the state. Parmer Lane feeds into Westview Middle School and Connally High School, a solid but less prestigious pathway. So buyers in the Caraway zone are paying a premium for the Westwood feeder, even though the elementary school itself is struggling.
Parmer Lane vs Caraway: Quick Comparison
| Parmer Lane Elementary | Caraway Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | C (78/100) | D (64/100) |
| Enrollment | 486 students | 553 students |
| Grades | EE through 5 | 1 through 5 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $479,900 | $504,000 |
| Feeds Into | Westview MS, Connally HS | Canyon Vista MS, Westwood 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 | Parmer Lane Elementary | Caraway Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | C (78/100) | D (64/100) |
| Student Achievement | C (70/100) | F (49/100) |
| School Progress | C (79/100) | D (60/100) |
| Academic Growth | C (79/100) | D (60/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | C (77/100) | C (73/100) |
| Enrollment | 486 students (EE through 5) | 553 students (1 through 5) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 75.9% | 89.3% |
| English Learners | 67.1% | 51.4% |
| TEA Distinctions | 6 of 7 earned | 6 of 7 earned |
The Student Achievement gap of 21 points (70 vs 49) is the headline. Caraway’s F in that domain means fewer than half of students are meeting grade level expectations on STAAR assessments. Parmer Lane’s C is not stellar but significantly better. Both schools earned 6 of 7 distinctions, which is somewhat surprising for a D rated campus like Caraway and suggests there are pockets of genuine academic strength on both campuses.
Both schools serve high EL and economically disadvantaged populations, with Parmer Lane actually having more English Learners (67.1%) than Caraway (51.4%). That makes Parmer Lane’s 14 point advantage even more impressive given its demographics.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Parmer Lane Elementary school page or the Caraway Elementary school page.
Parmer Lane: Better TEA Scores With a Tougher EL Population
Parmer Lane serves 486 students along the Parmer Lane corridor in the southern part of Round Rock ISD. With 67.1% English Learners, this campus faces one of the highest language diversity challenges in the district. And yet it posted a 78 overall with C ratings across every domain and 6 of 7 distinctions. That is a campus that is making its instructional model work for a very challenging population.
The school feeds into Westview Middle School and then Connally High School. Connally is a solid campus but does not carry the prestige of Westwood, which is the feeder for Caraway.
Caraway: The Westwood Feeder With D Level Elementary Performance
Caraway has 553 students and starts at 1st grade (not early education or pre-K like most Round Rock ISD elementaries). The D rating at 64 with an F in Student Achievement is the weakest performance profile of the two schools, but the Westwood High School feeder pathway keeps demand in the zone steady. Westwood is consistently one of the top 3 high schools in the Austin metro by TEA scores, and many buyers choose to accept a weaker elementary school in exchange for that long term pathway.
The Neighborhoods
Parmer Lane draws from neighborhoods along the Parmer Lane and I-35 corridor. The $479,900 median puts this in the affordable tier of Round Rock ISD, with a mix of 1990s and 2000s homes and some apartment communities. The area has strong commercial access and a short commute to the tech employment centers along I-35 North.
Caraway’s zone sits along the 183 and Anderson Mill corridor. The $504,000 median is $24,000 higher, driven partly by the Westwood HS feeder premium. The neighborhoods tend to be established 1980s and 1990s communities with larger lots and mature trees.
Browse all homes zoned to Parmer Lane Elementary or homes zoned to Caraway Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Parmer Lane if:
- Current TEA performance at the elementary level is a priority
- A lower median home price by $24,000 fits your budget better
- The 6 of 7 distinctions with 67% EL population demonstrates strong instruction
You might lean toward Caraway if:
- The Westwood High School pathway is your primary motivation
- You are willing to accept D level elementary performance for the long term feeder benefit
- The Anderson Mill and 183 corridor location works for your commute
This is the classic “elementary performance vs high school destination” trade off. Parmer Lane is the better school today. Caraway gets you to Westwood. I personally think the elementary years matter more than most buyers give them credit for, and a 14 point gap during those formative years is not something to dismiss. But I understand the Westwood appeal. It is a top tier high school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
The trade off between current elementary performance and long term high school pathway is one of the most common decisions buyers face in Round Rock ISD. I have been helping people think through it for 19 years. Lets talk about what makes sense for your situation.
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