Ed 
Two Districts, One Decision: Tarvin (Leander ISD) vs Cactus Ranch (Round Rock ISD)
Trailing twelve month sales data shows both school zones priced similarly, with Palmera Ridge sales near Tarvin Elementary running around $760,000 and Behrens Ranch, Sendero Springs, and Walsh Ranch sales near Cactus Ranch Elementary running around $755,000 (VOW MLS data, trailing 12 months). Both campuses earned an A from the Texas Education Agency in 2024-2025 (Texas Tribune). So lets walk through what you are actually getting in each zone.
Tarvin Elementary is part of Leander ISD and Cactus Ranch Elementary 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 Tarvin Elementary school page or the Cactus Ranch Elementary school page.
Tarvin Elementary vs Cactus Ranch Elementary: Quick Comparison
| Tarvin Elementary | Cactus Ranch Elementary | |
|---|---|---|
| TEA Rating (2024-2025) | A | A |
| Enrollment (2026) | 866 students | 684 students |
| Grades | EE – 05 | EE – 05 |
| District | Leander ISD | Round Rock ISD |
| Median Home Price (TTM) | ~$760,000 | ~$755,000 |
| Feeds Into | Varies by address (multiple middle schools, see LISD zoning) | Walsh MS → Round Rock 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 | Tarvin Elementary | Cactus Ranch Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A | A |
| Student Achievement | B | A |
| School Progress | B | A |
| Closing the Gaps | B | A |
| Enrollment (2026) | 866 students (EE – 05) | 684 students (EE – 05) |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 6.8% | 3.2% |
Both campuses earned an A overall, but Cactus Ranch graded out as an A across all three TEA domains while Tarvin graded as a B in Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps (Texas Tribune). Both are strong campuses with different trajectories worth understanding before you commit to a zone.
For the full TEA breakdown on each campus, including rating history and all distinctions, visit the Tarvin Elementary school page or the Cactus Ranch Elementary school page.
Tarvin Elementary: A Closer Look at This Leander ISD Campus
Tarvin Elementary is part of Leander ISD, one of the most respected school districts in the entire Austin metro, known for rigorous academics, strong campus culture, and a district-wide commitment to student success. The school serves a collection of well-established and growing communities along the Leander and Georgetown corridor in Williamson County, where buyers consistently find newer construction, generous lot sizes, and neighborhoods with real community character.
Tarvin Elementary earned an A overall from TEA in 2024-2025, which puts it among the stronger campuses in Leander ISD (Texas Tribune). That kind of performance does not happen by accident. It reflects consistent instructional quality, engaged leadership, and a campus culture where expectations run high.
The school draws primarily from Palmera Ridge and surrounding Leander neighborhoods off Ronald Reagan Blvd, with attendance zoning that has shifted as the area has grown (LISD attendance zones).
Tarvin Elementary currently splits across multiple middle school zones in Leander ISD, with secondary feeder patterns shifting as new campuses open. Verify the exact feeder for any specific address using the LISD attendance zone tool before you buy.
I have spent a good amount of time in this part of town, and Tarvin Elementary 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.
Tarvin Elementary enrolls 866 students as of the 2026 reporting cycle, up significantly since opening (Texas Tribune). Larger schools can offer more programs, more extracurricular options, and a broader social experience. The tradeoff is that the campus can feel busier, but Leander ISD has invested in making sure its bigger campuses still run efficiently.
Cactus Ranch Elementary: Top Marks in Round Rock ISD
Cactus Ranch Elementary is one of the most sought-after attendance zones in northwest Round Rock, drawing buyers who want to plant roots in a community that takes education seriously. Part of the award-winning Round Rock ISD, Cactus Ranch sits at the center of some of the area’s most established and inviting neighborhoods, including Behrens Ranch, Sendero Springs, and Walsh Ranch.
Cactus Ranch Elementary earned an A overall from TEA in 2024-2025 with A grades across all three accountability domains, which puts it among the stronger campuses in Round Rock ISD (Texas Tribune). That kind of performance does not happen by accident. It reflects consistent instructional quality, engaged leadership, and a campus culture where expectations run high.
The school draws from neighborhoods including Behrens Ranch, Sendero Springs, and Walsh Ranch. These are well established residential areas with mature trees and a real sense of community.
Students at Cactus Ranch Elementary feed into Walsh Middle School and then Round Rock High School (RRISD feeder chart). That feeder path matters to buyers who are thinking long term about their kids’ educational trajectory.
The numbers here speak for themselves. An A across all three TEA domains puts Cactus Ranch Elementary in strong company, and the campus culture backs up what the data shows.
The Neighborhoods
Homes near Tarvin Elementary trade around a $760,000 median over the trailing twelve months, while the Cactus Ranch Elementary zone runs around $755,000 across Behrens Ranch, Sendero Springs, and Walsh Ranch (VOW MLS data). The districts are different, which means different property tax rates and different feeder paths. 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 Tarvin Elementary or homes zoned to Cactus Ranch Elementary.
Which School Fits You?
Every buyer has a different set of priorities. Here is how I would think about it.
You might lean toward Tarvin Elementary if:
- You are comfortable around the $760,000 price point and want the Palmera Ridge area neighborhoods that come with it
- You want a Leander ISD campus with a strong overall rating
- You prefer the neighborhood character around the Tarvin zone
- You see value in a growing campus and want to buy before prices climb
You might lean toward Cactus Ranch Elementary if:
- You prioritize the highest possible TEA rating
- You want consistent A grades across every TEA accountability domain
- The Round Rock High School feeder path matches your long term plans
Both campuses have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your priorities. If I were buying in this area, I would look closely at the feeder pattern, the neighborhood walkability, and what your daily commute looks like from each zone. The TEA scores matter, but they are not the whole story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your Home?
If you are weighing the Tarvin zone against the Cactus Ranch 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.
