Rough Hollow Elementary vs Serene Hills Elementary: LTISD’s Newest Campuses Compared

Here is the blog article in Ed Neuhaus’s voice, followed by the metadata.

—

Two of LTISD’s Newest Campuses, Two Fast-Growing Communities

If you’re moving to the Lake Travis area with young kids, there’s a good chance your home search is going to lead you to one of two elementary schools. Rough Hollow Elementary and Serene Hills Elementary are among the newest campuses in Lake Travis ISD, and both are growing fast. That’s not a coincidence. The neighborhoods they serve are some of the most popular with young families in the entire district.

So how do you decide between them? After 15+ years of helping families find the right home in the right school zone, I can tell you that these two campuses have more in common than you might expect. But the differences matter, especially when you factor in the neighborhoods and the lifestyle that comes with each one.

Let’s break it down so you can figure out which one fits your family best.

Rough Hollow Elementary vs Serene Hills Elementary: Quick Comparison

The numbers are strikingly similar. Both campuses are within a handful of students of each other, and both are relatively new by LTISD standards. But the experience at each school is shaped by different leadership styles, different programs, and very different neighborhoods.

Rough Hollow Elementary: The District’s Newest Campus

Rough Hollow Elementary is the newest elementary school in Lake Travis ISD, having opened its doors in 2020. And yes, that means it launched right into one of the most challenging periods any school has ever faced. But that’s also part of what makes this campus special. It was built from the ground up with modern learning in mind, and Principal Angela Page has brought 25 years of educational experience to the task of establishing its culture.

What stands out most about Rough Hollow Elementary? The STEM maker space. This isn’t just a computer lab with a new name. It’s a dedicated hands-on learning environment where students get to design, build, and problem-solve. If your child is the kind of kid who takes things apart to see how they work, this is the kind of space that turns curiosity into real learning.

The school also has a strong student leadership program. Page has been intentional about creating a campus culture where kids take ownership of their school community. For a campus that’s only been open a few years, the sense of identity is already well established.

Because the building itself is so new, you’re also getting the benefit of a modern facility. That means updated technology infrastructure, flexible learning spaces, and a campus that was designed for how kids actually learn today rather than retrofitted from an older model.

You can browse homes zoned to Rough Hollow Elementary here.

Serene Hills Elementary: Leadership and Growth in Bee Cave

Serene Hills Elementary opened in 2017, making it just a few years older than Rough Hollow. But in a fast-growing district, those few years make a difference. Serene Hills has had a bit more time to develop its identity and build the kind of traditions that families remember.

Principal Keegan Luedecke brings a different kind of energy to the role. With three years as an assistant principal and nine years of classroom teaching experience, Luedecke has a perspective that’s deeply rooted in what actually happens in the classroom every day. That translates into a campus culture that’s very teacher-supportive and student-focused.

Where Serene Hills really shines is in its student leadership programs. The school has built out strong opportunities for kids to step up, take responsibility, and develop skills that go well beyond academics. If you’re the kind of parent who wants your child to learn how to collaborate, lead a group, and speak up for themselves, this campus puts real structure around those goals.

And like Rough Hollow, Serene Hills is still in a growth phase. With 758 students, it’s one of the larger elementary campuses in the district, but the community around it is still developing. That means your family has the chance to be part of shaping what this school becomes over the next decade.

You can search homes zoned to Serene Hills Elementary here.

The Neighborhoods: Lakefront Living vs Hill Country Convenience

Here’s where the decision gets interesting. Because when you’re choosing between these two schools, you’re really choosing between two very different lifestyles.

Rough Hollow and Sweetwater

Rough Hollow is one of the most sought-after communities in Lakeway, and for good reason. It’s a lakefront community with resort-style amenities, including a yacht club, multiple pools, hiking trails, and a village center with restaurants and shops. Sweetwater is nearby and offers a similar luxury feel with its own set of amenities.

If you want your kids to grow up with Lake Travis as their backyard, this is the zone. The homes here tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. You’re paying for the location, the water access, and a community that genuinely feels like a destination.

But here’s what I’d want you to think about. Rough Hollow’s location along RR 620 means you’re a bit further from the commercial core of Bee Cave and the Hill Country Galleria. It’s not far by any stretch, but your daily routines will look different than they would on the Bee Cave side of things.

Serene Hills and Bee Cave

Serene Hills and the broader Bee Cave area offer a different kind of appeal. You’re closer to shopping, dining, and the commercial conveniences that make daily life easier with kids. Bee Cave has grown into a genuine town center over the past decade, and families in the Serene Hills zone benefit from that proximity.

The neighborhoods here are newer, well-planned, and designed for the kind of families that are moving to this part of the Hill Country in droves. You’ll find a range of price points, from more accessible options to higher-end custom builds. The vibe is more suburban convenience than lakefront resort, but that’s exactly what a lot of families with young kids are looking for.

So the question becomes: do you want lake access and resort amenities, or do you want proximity to town and everyday convenience? There’s no wrong answer. It just depends on how you want your family’s daily life to feel.

Which School Fits Your Family?

Let me be straightforward with you. Both of these campuses are excellent. You’re not choosing between a good school and a bad school. You’re choosing between two newer, well-led campuses that are both serving fast-growing communities full of engaged families.

But if I had to draw some lines, here’s how I’d think about it:

Rough Hollow Elementary might be your pick if:

• You want the newest campus with the most modern facilities in the district
• Your child thrives in hands-on, STEM-focused learning environments
• You’re drawn to the lakefront lifestyle that Rough Hollow and Sweetwater offer
• You value a principal with deep, long-term experience in education

Serene Hills Elementary might be your pick if:

• You want a campus that’s had a few more years to establish traditions and programs
• Student leadership and character development are top priorities for your family
• You prefer the convenience and walkability of the Bee Cave area
• You’re looking for a wider range of home price points in the school zone

And honestly? I’ve worked with families who toured both campuses and chose based on something as simple as the feel they got walking through the hallways. Sometimes the data matters less than the gut check. Both schools will give your child a strong foundation.

For a broader look at how all the elementary campuses stack up, check out my full comparison of Lake Travis ISD elementary schools.

One More Resource: LTISD’s Special Education Support

If your child has an IEP or you’re exploring support services, I want you to know about SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee). I’m involved with this organization because I believe every family in the district deserves access to information and advocacy when it comes to special education. Both Rough Hollow and Serene Hills, like all LTISD campuses, participate in the district’s special education programs. But having a parent community that understands the process makes a real difference.

Let’s Find the Right Home in the Right School Zone

Choosing a school is really choosing a neighborhood, a commute, a lifestyle, and a community all at once. That’s a lot of decisions wrapped into one home search. I’ve been helping families navigate exactly this process for over 15 years in the Lake Travis area, and I’d love to help you sort through it.

Whether you’re leaning toward Rough Hollow’s lakefront STEM campus or Serene Hills’ established leadership programs near Bee Cave, I can show you exactly what’s available in each school zone and help you find the home that checks every box.

Reach out to me here and let’s get started.