Ed 
One Is Rated B, the Other A: Inside the Running Brushy vs Walsh Divide
Running Brushy Middle School and Walsh Middle School sit in neighboring districts, but they are not interchangeable. Walsh Middle School pulled an A rating from the Texas Education Agency, while Running Brushy Middle School landed at B (Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). For buyers trying to narrow down a search zone, that is the kind of split worth understanding.
Running Brushy Middle School is part of Leander ISD and Walsh Middle School belongs to Round Rock ISD. That means different tax rates, different feeder patterns, and sometimes a different feel in the hallways. I have worked with buyers in both zones and the right answer really depends on what you prioritize.
Below, I will break down the full TEA performance data, walk through the neighborhoods zoned to each campus, and give you my honest take on which school zone fits different types of buyers. If you want the deep dive on either campus individually, check out the Running Brushy Middle School school page or the Walsh Middle School school page.
Running Brushy Middle School vs Walsh Middle School: Quick Comparison
| Running Brushy Middle School | Walsh Middle School | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating | B | A |
| Enrollment | ~1,132 students | ~1,223 students |
| Grades | 06 – 08 | 06 – 08 |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price (ZIP) | ~$496K (78613) | ~$538K (78681) |
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 | Running Brushy Middle School | Walsh Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | B | A |
| Enrollment | ~1,132 students (grades 6-8) | ~1,223 students (grades 6-8) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 25.5% | 10.4% |
Both campuses post strong overall ratings from TEA. Walsh edges out Running Brushy on the overall letter grade, but both sit firmly in the top tier of Central Texas middle schools.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Running Brushy Middle School school page or the Walsh Middle School school page.
Running Brushy Middle School: What the Numbers Say (and What They Don’t)
Running Brushy Middle School is one of the standout campuses in Leander ISD, a district that has built a remarkable reputation for academic excellence across the fast-growing Cedar Park and Leander corridor. Serving sixth through eighth grade, Running Brushy sits in central Cedar Park near several established residential communities.
With a B rating from TEA, Running Brushy Middle School sits in the middle tier of Leander ISD campuses. The scores show a school that is doing solid work, even if there is room to push higher in some areas.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Running Brushy Middle School is one of those campuses where you can feel the community investment the moment you drive through the neighborhood. The homes hold their value well here, and resale demand stays consistent.
Running Brushy enrolls roughly 1,132 students (Tribune), a mid-size middle school by Leander ISD standards. Larger campuses tend to offer more programs and extracurricular options, with the tradeoff of a busier day to day rhythm.
Walsh Middle School: Top Marks in Round Rock ISD
Walsh Middle School sits at the heart of one of northwest Round Rock’s most established and welcoming communities, serving sixth through eighth graders within the highly regarded Round Rock ISD. The neighborhoods surrounding Walsh reflect the best of suburban Austin living, with tree-lined streets, well-kept subdivisions, and a strong sense of community pride that draws buyers from across the metro.
Walsh Middle School earned an A from TEA, which puts it among the stronger campuses in Round Rock ISD. That kind of performance does not happen by accident. It reflects consistent instructional quality, engaged leadership, and a campus culture where expectations run high.
Walsh sits in northwest Round Rock near Sam Bass Road, surrounded by established residential subdivisions.
The A rating puts Walsh Middle School in strong company among Central Texas middle schools.
The Neighborhoods
The two zones sit in different districts, which means different property tax rates and different feeder paths. Recent ZIP-level medians from MLS data put 78613 (Running Brushy area, Cedar Park) around $496K and 78681 (Walsh area, NW Round Rock) around $538K, though prices vary widely by subdivision. The day to day feel of each neighborhood is its own thing, and I would encourage anyone comparing these two zones to spend a Saturday morning driving both before making a decision.
One thing I always tell buyers: look at the neighborhood on a Saturday morning, not just a Tuesday at 2pm. You want to see who is walking dogs, who is out running, whether the parks are being used. That tells you more about the community than any listing description ever will. And yes, school zones affect resale value. That is just reality in this market.
Browse all homes zoned to Running Brushy Middle School or homes zoned to Walsh Middle School.
Which School Fits You?
Every buyer has a different set of priorities. Here is how I would think about it.
You might lean toward Running Brushy Middle School if:
- You are comfortable with home prices in the upper $400Ks and above for the 78613 ZIP, and want the neighborhoods that come with it
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Running Brushy zone
- You see value in a growing campus and want to buy before prices climb
You might lean toward Walsh Middle School if:
- You prioritize the highest possible TEA rating
- You are looking at homes in the mid $500Ks in the 78681 ZIP
Honestly, these two are close enough on paper that the tiebreaker is going to be neighborhood feel and commute. I would recommend driving both zones on a weekday morning. See how the traffic flows, check out the parks, grab a coffee nearby. The numbers say these campuses are peers, so the decision comes down to lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are weighing the Running Brushy zone against the Walsh zone (or anywhere else in the Austin area), I would love to help you figure it out. I have been doing this for over 19 years and have helped buyers navigate school zone decisions more times than I can count. And honestly, this is one of my favorite conversations to have because it is never just about a school. It is about how you want your mornings to feel, where you will grab coffee, and whether your commute makes you want to scream or not.
Lets grab a coffee, walk through your priorities, and find the neighborhood that actually fits your life. No pressure, no pitch, just honest guidance from someone who knows these neighborhoods inside and out. Be safe, be good, and be nice to people.
