Ed 
Two NW Austin Elementary Schools, Two Districts, Two Very Different Price Points.
Rutledge Elementary earned an A from the Texas Education Agency on the 2025 accountability rating (TX Tribune). Forest North Elementary earned a B in the same cycle. Both campuses sit in NW Austin near the 183 corridor, but they fall in different districts: Rutledge is in Leander ISD and zoned to 78717, Forest North is in Round Rock ISD and zoned to 78729. The median sales price gap between the two zip codes is meaningful: 78717 closed at roughly $595,000 in 2025 while 78729 closed near $450,500 (Austin Board of Realtors closings via VOW MLS, 2025).
The trade-off is real: Rutledge’s A rating comes paired with a higher zone median, while Forest North’s B rating comes with a more accessible entry point. Both districts are well regarded and both schools serve established communities along the 183 corridor. The question is not which school is bad (neither is) but which combination of school, neighborhood, and feeder pattern makes the most sense for your situation.
I see buyers comparing these two zones all the time because the geography overlaps in that NW Austin transition zone just south of the Williamson County line. Lets look at what actually separates them.
Rutledge vs Forest North Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Rutledge Elementary | Forest North Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating (2025) | A | B |
| Enrollment | ~764 students | ~310 students |
| Grades | KG – 05 | KG – 05 |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Zip Code Median Sale (2025) | $595,000 (78717) | $450,500 (78729) |
| Feeds Into | Stiles MS then Vista Ridge HS | Pearson Ranch MS then McNeil 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 | Rutledge Elementary | Forest North Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A | B |
| Student Achievement | A | A |
| School Progress | A | B |
| Closing the Gaps | A | A |
| Enrollment | ~764 students (KG – 05) | ~310 students (KG – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 9.3% | 49.4% |
Rutledge is the stronger performer overall, with A grades across every published domain. Forest North earned a B overall and matched Rutledge with an A in both Student Achievement and Closing the Gaps. The student populations differ meaningfully: Forest North serves a community where 49.4% of students are classified as economically disadvantaged (TX Tribune), compared to 9.3% at Rutledge (TX Tribune). Holding an A in Closing the Gaps with that demographic profile is a meaningful signal at Forest North.
For the full TEA breakdown, visit the Rutledge Elementary school page or the Forest North Elementary school page.
Rutledge Elementary: Leander ISD’s Quiet Overachiever
Rutledge serves roughly 764 students and sits in the 78717 zip code in NW Austin, on the Leander ISD side of the Williamson County corridor. Zone 78717 closed at a $595,000 median in 2025 (n=249, VOW MLS), which is well into Leander ISD’s strong-school premium. The school posted A grades across every published domain on the 2025 TEA accountability ratings.
The Leander ISD feeder pattern is the long-term selling point. Rutledge zones into Stiles Middle School and then Vista Ridge High School, both of which are part of the Vista Ridge feeder family.
Forest North Elementary: Small School, Big Results
Forest North is a compact campus with roughly 310 students, and that size creates a more intimate learning environment. The school sits in the 78729 zip code along the 183 corridor, where 1980s and 1990s homes and established neighborhoods give the zone a settled character. The 78729 zip closed at a $450,500 median in 2025 (n=209, VOW MLS), which makes it one of the more accessible entry points into Round Rock ISD.
The feeder path runs through Pearson Ranch Middle School and on to McNeil High School (RRISD feeder chart). That is a stable pipeline from elementary through high school graduation.
The Neighborhoods
Rutledge’s 78717 zone is suburban NW Austin with clean streets, master planned community features, and the convenience of the Lakeline and 183 commercial corridors. Forest North’s 78729 zone is older and more established, with a mix of 1980s and 1990s era homes that have aged well and offer more square footage per dollar than the newer builds farther north.
Browse all homes zoned to Rutledge Elementary or homes zoned to Forest North Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
You might lean toward Rutledge Elementary if:
- The A overall TEA rating is a priority for you
- You prefer the Leander ISD school zone and the 78717 corridor
- You want the Stiles Middle then Vista Ridge High feeder path
You might lean toward Forest North Elementary if:
- A smaller campus with a more intimate feel appeals to your situation
- You want the McNeil High School feeder path through Pearson Ranch Middle
- Older homes with more space at a slightly lower price point work for your budget
Both are strong schools and both neighborhoods offer genuine value for NW Austin buyers. Rutledge has the edge on the 2025 TEA scorecard, but Forest North’s combination of a B overall rating, an A in Closing the Gaps with a more diverse student body, and a stable feeder into McNeil High makes it a serious contender at a meaningfully lower entry price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
Finding the right school zone along the 183 corridor takes some local knowledge, and I have plenty of it after 19 years in this market. Lets connect and figure out which neighborhood checks all your boxes. Get in touch and we will make it happen.
