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Two Great LTISD Elementaries, Two Very Different Feels
So you’re narrowing down your Lake Travis ISD options and these two schools keep coming up. Serene Hills Elementary and West Cypress Hills Elementary. Both are solid LTISD campuses with dedicated staff and strong reputations. But they serve very different communities, and that difference matters more than most people realize when they’re choosing where to buy a home.
I’ve spent over 15 years helping families find the right neighborhood in this district. And one thing I always tell people is that the “best” school isn’t some universal ranking. It’s the one that fits your family’s lifestyle, your kid’s personality, and the kind of community you want to wake up in every morning.
Let me walk you through what makes each of these campuses unique so you can figure out which one is the better fit for you.
Serene Hills Elementary vs West Cypress Hills Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Serene Hills Elementary | West Cypress Hills Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Serene Hills / Bee Cave area | Spicewood |
| Principal | Keegan Luedecke | Russ |
| Principal Experience | 3 years as AP, 9 years teaching | 22 years in education |
| Enrollment | ~758 students | ~602 students |
| Campus Feel | Growing suburban campus | Smaller, rural setting |
| Known For | Leadership programs, growth energy | Strong math focus, tight-knit community |
| Surrounding Area | Bee Cave corridor, newer development | Spicewood, Hill Country landscape |
Serene Hills Elementary: A Growing Campus With New Energy
Serene Hills Elementary sits on the Bee Cave side of the district, and if you’ve driven through that area recently, you already know how much it’s changing. New neighborhoods are going in. Retail is expanding along 71. And the school reflects that same forward-moving energy.
Principal Keegan Luedecke brings a fresh perspective to campus leadership. With nine years of classroom teaching experience and three years as an assistant principal, she understands both sides of the equation. She knows what teachers need to be effective, and she knows what it takes to run a campus that’s growing quickly. That combination matters when a school is absorbing new families every year.
One of the things that stands out about Serene Hills is the emphasis on student leadership programs. These aren’t just feel-good assemblies. The campus genuinely invests in giving kids opportunities to take ownership, whether that’s through student council, peer mentoring, or campus-wide service projects. If your child is the type who lights up when given responsibility, this is the kind of environment where that gets nurtured early.
With around 758 students, Serene Hills is one of the larger LTISD elementary campuses. Some parents worry about that. But here’s what I’ve seen over the years. A larger campus often means more programs, more elective opportunities, and more chances for your kid to find their group. The key is whether the leadership can maintain a sense of community as the school grows. And from what families tell me, Luedecke and her team are doing exactly that.
The neighborhoods feeding into Serene Hills Elementary tend to be newer construction in the Bee Cave corridor. You’re looking at master-planned communities with parks, trails, and easy access to the Hill Country Galleria and 290. For families who want that suburban convenience with top-rated schools, this area checks a lot of boxes.
West Cypress Hills Elementary: A Quiet Powerhouse in Spicewood
Now let’s talk about West Cypress Hills Elementary, because it’s a completely different experience. And I mean that in the best possible way.
This campus sits out in Spicewood, which still has that Hill Country feel that drew a lot of us to this part of Texas in the first place. The pace is slower. The lots are bigger. And the school reflects that same unhurried, intentional approach to education.
Principal Russ has been in education for 22 years, and that kind of tenure shows up in every aspect of how the school runs. There’s a steadiness to West Cypress Hills that you can feel when you walk through the building. Systems are in place. Expectations are clear. And there’s a calm confidence among the staff that comes from experienced leadership at the top.
Academically, West Cypress Hills has built a reputation for strong math instruction. If your child loves numbers, or if you’re the kind of parent who prioritizes a rigorous math foundation in the early grades, this is worth paying attention to. A strong elementary math program sets the trajectory for middle school and beyond. And the teachers here take that seriously.
With about 602 students, West Cypress Hills runs a bit smaller than Serene Hills. That size difference translates into something you can actually feel. Hallways are less crowded. Teachers tend to know kids across grade levels, not just in their own classrooms. And the parent community is tight. When you show up to a school event at West Cypress Hills, you’re going to recognize faces. That matters to a lot of families, especially those with younger kids who want that close-knit environment during the formative years.
The rural setting isn’t for everyone, and I want to be honest about that. You’re further from the retail and restaurant hubs of Bee Cave and Lakeway. Your commute into Austin may be longer. But for families who are willing to trade convenience for space and quiet, Spicewood delivers something that’s getting harder to find in this part of the Hill Country.
The Neighborhood Factor: Bee Cave Edge vs Spicewood Calm
Here’s where I put on my real estate hat, because the school comparison is really a lifestyle comparison.
Families zoned to Serene Hills Elementary are typically living in the Bee Cave growth corridor. Think newer homes, HOA-maintained amenities, community pools, and proximity to shopping and dining. Your kids can ride bikes around the neighborhood. You can grab dinner at the Galleria without it being a whole event. It’s suburban in the best sense. Convenient, well-maintained, and family-oriented.
Families zoned to West Cypress Hills are choosing something different. Spicewood properties tend to offer more land, more privacy, and more of that open Hill Country character. You might have a few acres. Your neighbors might keep horses. Friday nights might mean a bonfire instead of a trip to the mall. It’s a quieter life, and for a lot of families, that’s exactly the point.
Both areas are in Lake Travis ISD, which means both feed into the same middle schools and eventually Lake Travis High School. So the long-term educational path is the same. The difference is really about what your daily life looks like during those elementary years.
Which School Fits Your Family?
So how do you decide? Here’s how I’d think about it.
Serene Hills Elementary might be the better fit if:
- You want a growing, energetic campus with lots of programs and activities
- Your child thrives in leadership roles or benefits from having a large peer group
- You prefer newer neighborhoods with suburban amenities and shorter drives to shopping and dining
- You value a school that’s building momentum and adding new opportunities each year
West Cypress Hills Elementary might be the better fit if:
- You want a smaller, close-knit school where your child is known by name across campus
- Strong math instruction is a priority for your family
- You’re drawn to the rural character of Spicewood and want more space and privacy
- You value experienced, steady leadership and a campus with deep roots in its community
Neither choice is wrong. Both of these schools deliver the kind of education that makes Lake Travis ISD one of the most sought-after districts in Central Texas. The question is just which environment feels more like home for your family.
Get Involved Early: LTISD’s SEPAC
One thing I always recommend to families moving into the district is to connect with LTISD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) early on. I serve on this committee, and I can tell you firsthand that it’s a valuable resource for any parent, not just those with kids in special education.
SEPAC gives you a direct line into how the district approaches student support, accommodations, and inclusion. Whether your child has an IEP, a 504 plan, or you just want to understand the resources available, this group is worth knowing about. Both Serene Hills and West Cypress Hills have strong support systems in place, and SEPAC helps ensure that stays true across every campus in the district.
You can learn more about the full range of LTISD schools and programs on the district website.
Let’s Find the Right Neighborhood for Your Family
Choosing a school is really about choosing a neighborhood, a commute, a lifestyle. And that’s exactly the kind of decision I help families make every day. With over 15 years of experience in the Lake Travis area and deep knowledge of the communities feeding into every LTISD campus, I can help you find the home that puts your kids in the right environment.
If you’re comparing homes near Serene Hills Elementary and homes near West Cypress Hills Elementary, I’d love to walk you through what’s available and help you think through the tradeoffs. You can also check out my full comparison of LTISD elementary schools if you’re still weighing multiple campuses.
Reach out anytime. I’m always happy to talk schools, neighborhoods, and what life actually looks like in each part of this district. No pressure. Just honest answers from someone who knows the area inside and out.
