Ed Neuhaus 
Two A Rated Round Rock ISD Middle Schools, Both Feeding Into Top High Schools
Walsh Middle School earned an A with a 93 on the 2025 TEA rating. Pearson Ranch Middle School scored an A with a 91. Both sit within Round Rock ISD and both deliver the kind of academic results that make Williamson County one of the most attractive school markets in Texas. The median home price near Walsh is $580,862 compared to $585,000 near Pearson Ranch, so the prices are virtually identical while Walsh actually scores two points higher.
Walsh feeds into Westwood High School, and Pearson Ranch feeds into both Westwood and McNeil. The fact that both zones connect to Westwood (arguably the flagship high school in RRISD) makes this comparison particularly interesting for buyers who have already decided they want the Westwood pipeline and are choosing between neighborhoods.
Pearson Ranch vs Walsh: Quick Comparison
| Pearson Ranch Middle | Walsh Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Enrollment | 979 students | 1,208 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price | $585,000 | $580,862 |
| Feeds Into | Westwood / McNeil HS | Westwood HS |
TEA School Performance Comparison (2025)
| Performance Metric | Pearson Ranch Middle | Walsh Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (91/100) | A (93/100) |
| Student Achievement | A (90/100) | A (94/100) |
| School Progress | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| Academic Growth | A (92/100) | B (89/100) |
| Closing the Gaps | B (87/100) | B (85/100) |
| Enrollment | 979 students (06 – 08) | 1,208 students (06 – 08) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 18.4% | 13.3% |
| English Learners | 8.2% | 9.8% |
| TEA Distinctions | 7 of 7 earned | 2 of 7 earned |
Here is where it gets interesting. Walsh has the higher overall score (93 vs 91) and leads in Student Achievement by 4 points (94 vs 90). But Pearson Ranch leads in School Progress and Academic Growth by 3 points each (92 vs 89). And the distinction count is dramatically different: Pearson Ranch earned 7 of 7 distinctions while Walsh earned just 2 of 7. That means Walsh is strong on the composite metrics but is not hitting the individual subject benchmarks at the distinction level as consistently as Pearson Ranch.
For the full breakdown, visit the Pearson Ranch Middle page or the Walsh Middle School page.
Walsh Middle: Highest Overall Score, Established Neighborhoods
Walsh is one of the larger middle schools in RRISD at 1,208 students, and it draws from established northwest Round Rock communities like Behrens Ranch, Clear Creek, and Sendero Springs. The school feeds directly into Westwood High School. The 93 overall and 94 in Student Achievement are outstanding numbers.
Pearson Ranch: More Distinctions, Slightly Lower Overall
Pearson Ranch serves 979 students and feeds into both Westwood and McNeil High Schools. The 7 of 7 distinctions versus Walsh’s 2 of 7 is a significant difference that many buyers overlook when they focus solely on the overall score. Pearson Ranch is excelling at the subject level in ways that Walsh, despite its higher composite score, is not matching.
The Neighborhoods
Walsh draws from established Round Rock communities with mature landscaping and larger lots. Behrens Ranch and Sendero Springs are anchor neighborhoods with homes built in the 2000s and 2010s.
Pearson Ranch serves the northwest Round Rock corridor with a mix of established and newer neighborhoods along Sam Bass Road and University Boulevard.
Browse all homes zoned to Pearson Ranch or homes zoned to Walsh Middle.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Walsh if:
- The highest possible overall TEA score is your priority
- You want direct access to Westwood HS without the McNeil split
- Established neighborhoods like Behrens Ranch appeal to you
You might lean toward Pearson Ranch if:
- The 7 of 7 distinctions signal broader subject level excellence
- Stronger School Progress and Academic Growth numbers (92 vs 89) matter to you
- Flexibility between Westwood and McNeil HS is a positive
This is genuinely a toss up. Walsh has the higher headline number. Pearson Ranch has more distinctions and better growth metrics. Both cost roughly the same and both connect to Westwood. I would not lose sleep over this decision, you win either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Westwood pipeline is one of the most sought after in Round Rock ISD. Lets find the right neighborhood within it for you.
