By Tanya Kerr, M.Ed., Broker Associate, REALTOR® | T. Kerr Property Group | Updated May 2026
I spent years as a school administrator before transitioning to real estate, and I’ll tell you something most agents won’t: schools matter even more than buyers think. Not just because of your kids’ education, though that’s the most important thing, but because school zones drive home values more than almost any other factor.
This guide covers the top-performing districts in Williamson County, what to know about Texas school zoning, and how to research schools at the campus level. It’s written from the perspective of a former educator who now helps families buy homes in the right zones.
, Tanya Kerr, M.Ed.
Why Schools Drive Home Values in Texas
A home in a top-rated school zone holds and grows value better than the identical house a few streets away in a weaker zone.
Real-world example: Two houses in Georgetown, similar size, similar age, half a mile apart. One is zoned to an A-rated elementary feeding a strong middle and high school. The other is zoned to a C-rated elementary with a struggling middle school feeder. The difference in resale value is often 8%-15%.
If you’re not sure how schools rate in any specific Texas district, check the Texas Education Agency (TEA) directly. TEA assigns A-F ratings annually for districts and individual campuses.
Even buyers without school-age children should consider school zones when buying. When you sell, the next buyer will care.
Top-Performing School Districts in Our Service Area
Eanes ISD (Westlake area). Consistently among the highest-rated districts in Texas. Westlake High School routinely produces Merit Scholars. Home prices reflect the school quality.
Lake Travis ISD. Strong overall, with particular strength at Lake Travis High School.
Leander ISD. Strong overall, with notable elementary tier. Spans Cedar Park, Leander, and parts of Austin.
Round Rock ISD. Strong, but with significant variance between campuses. Always check the specific campus assignment.
Georgetown ISD. Improving rapidly. Several A-rated campuses including elementaries in newer Wolf Ranch and Cimarron Hills attendance zones.
Liberty Hill ISD. Small, fast-growing, parents are highly engaged.
Hutto ISD. Growing rapidly with the Samsung Taylor expansion driving residential development.
Texas School Zoning: Three Things Every Newcomer Must Know
- Schools are zoned by exact street address. Two homes on the same block can be in different elementary schools. Always verify the school assignment for the specific property you’re considering.
- Fast growth changes zone lines. Williamson County is building new schools regularly. Zone lines redraw every few years to balance enrollments.
- “Good district” doesn’t mean “good for your kid.” A top-rated high school can have a struggling middle school feeder. A district average can mask significant differences between campuses.
How to Research a Specific School Properly
Don’t rely on third-party rating sites alone. Here’s the framework I use with relocation families:
- Check the TEA report. Visit txschools.gov and search by district or specific campus. Look at the A-F overall rating, plus performance on student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps.
- Visit the campus. Even if you can’t tour, drive by. Notice the parking lot at drop-off and pickup. Look at the building condition.
- Read recent parent reviews. GreatSchools, Niche, and Facebook neighborhood groups all provide qualitative data.
- Talk to a current parent if you can. Five minutes with someone whose kid attends the school tells you more than hours of online research.
- Verify any specific program offerings. Dual language, gifted and talented programs, specific extracurriculars, none of these are uniform across campuses.
Best Neighborhoods by School District
Eanes ISD area: Westlake, Tarrytown, West Lake Hills. Luxury price points; expect $1.5M+ for established homes.
Leander ISD area: Cedar Park master-planned communities (Buttercup Creek, Twin Creeks), Travisso, Crystal Falls.
Round Rock ISD area: Teravista, Behrens Ranch, Mayfield Ranch, Lake Forest, Brushy Creek, Stone Canyon. Verify campus-by-campus.
Georgetown ISD area: Wolf Ranch, Heritage Oaks, Berry Creek, Cimarron Hills, Old Town Georgetown, parts of Vizcaya.
Liberty Hill ISD area: Santa Rita Ranch, Rancho Sienna, parts of Liberty Hill proper.
Lake Travis ISD area: Lakeway, Bee Cave, Spicewood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in Williamson County, Texas?
Williamson County’s strongest districts include Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Georgetown ISD. Eanes ISD in the Westlake area technically extends into Travis County but is the highest-rated district in Central Texas.
How do I find out what school my home is zoned to in Texas?
Visit your district’s website and use their address lookup tool. Round Rock ISD, Georgetown ISD, Leander ISD, and Liberty Hill ISD all have online tools that map specific addresses to specific schools.
Are charter schools and private schools good options in Williamson County?
Yes, several strong options exist. IDEA Public Schools, Harmony Schools, and Goodwater Montessori are notable charter options. Private schools include St. Helen Catholic, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, and Hyde Park Schools.
Will school zone changes affect my home’s value?
Sometimes, yes. If your home is rezoned from a strong feeder to a weaker one, expect some impact on resale value.
Is Round Rock ISD or Leander ISD better for elementary students?
Both districts have strong elementary tiers. Leander ISD has slightly stronger overall ratings at the elementary level in recent TEA reports. Always evaluate the specific campus your home is zoned to.
How much do good schools add to home prices in Williamson County?
A home in a top-rated school zone typically commands an 8%-15% premium over a similar home in a lower-rated zone within the same general area.
About T. Kerr Property Group
Tanya Kerr holds an M.Ed. and worked as a school administrator before founding T. Kerr Property Group. Her education background is one of the reasons our team is consistently chosen by families who prioritize school quality. T. Kerr Property Group is a woman-owned, mission-centered real estate team serving Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Our combined team brings 800+ five-star reviews, 2,500+ homes sold, $1 billion+ in total sales production, and 65+ years of combined experience. We are proud PT50 winners, recognized by the Austin Business Journal Residential Real Estate Awards, featured in Real Producers and FOX 7 Austin, voted Best in Round Rock and Georgetown’s Best, and known as one of the top real estate teams in Williamson County and Travis County. Our focus is simple: help people make smart financial decisions through real estate with expert guidance, fierce advocacy, and integrity every step of the way.
Ready to talk? Call (512) 851-8350 or visit our contact page at https://tkerrrealestate.com/contact-us/.