Leander ISD District Overview
Leander Independent School District serves over 45,000 students across Leander, Cedar Park, and portions of northwest Austin and Liberty Hill. The district operates 4 high schools, 6 middle schools, and over 25 elementary campuses. It has been one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas for more than a decade, adding new campuses regularly to keep pace with population growth.
45,000+
Students
40+
Campuses
4
High Schools
"B" District
TEA Rating
Leander ISD Elementary Schools
LISD has over 25 elementary campuses. Here are the most relevant ones for buyers in Leander's major neighborhoods, with approximate GreatSchools-style ratings (scale of 1–10):
Akin Elementary
Crystal Falls / Horizon Lake
Strong test scores, active PTA, well-resourced campus.
Bagdad Elementary
Northline / Central Leander
Near MetroRail corridor; diverse student body.
Camacho Elementary
Caballo Ranch / South Leander
Well-established campus with strong community ties.
Cypress Elementary
Travisso / Cedar Park northwest
High parent satisfaction; growing enrollment from Travisso.
Danielson Elementary
Bryson / Northline
Newer campus serving the fast-growing northeast Leander area.
Gillespie Elementary
Deerbrooke / south Leander
Serves new Deerbrooke community; enrollment growing rapidly.
Pleasant Hill Elementary
Larkspur / central Leander
Highly rated campus; popular feeder into strong middle schools.
Winkley Elementary
Horizon Lake / Cedar Park north
Reliable scores; serves lake-area communities.
Block House Creek Elem
Block House Creek
One of LISD's more established campuses with a loyal community.
Leander ISD Middle Schools
LISD operates six middle schools. Here are the four most relevant to Leander buyers, along with their key programs:
Leander Middle School
8/10Serves: Crystal Falls, Block House Creek
Programs: GT, pre-AP, fine arts
Running Brushy Middle
7/10Serves: Deerbrooke, Caballo Ranch
Programs: STEM focus, athletics
Cedar Park Middle
8/10Serves: Travisso, Horizon Lake
Programs: IB Middle Years Programme preparation
Danielson Middle
7/10Serves: Bryson, Northline, Bar W Ranch
Programs: GT, athletics, band
Leander ISD High Schools
All four LISD high schools are competitive, well-resourced, and produce strong college acceptance rates. Each has a distinct identity:
Leander High School
7/10Est. 1974 · Enrollment ~~2,800 · 3301 S Bagdad Rd, Leander TX 78641
Programs: AP, dual enrollment, strong band and athletics
Vista Ridge High School
8/10Est. 2000 · Enrollment ~~3,200 · 4050 Parkway, Cedar Park TX 78613
Programs: STEM magnet, AP, National Merit Scholars
Glenn High School
8/10Est. 2011 · Enrollment ~~2,600 · 1320 N Bell Blvd, Cedar Park TX 78613
Programs: AP, fine arts academy, CTE programs
Rouse High School
8/10Est. 2006 · Enrollment ~~2,400 · 1222 N CR 258, Cedar Park TX 78613
Programs: IB Diploma Programme, AP, dual enrollment
Understanding GreatSchools Ratings in Context
GreatSchools ratings are useful but imperfect. They weight state test scores heavily, which can disadvantage schools serving more socioeconomically diverse populations — even when those schools deliver excellent teaching and growth for their students. Joe recommends buyers look at:
- TEA (Texas Education Agency) accountability ratings — more nuanced than GreatSchools
- Student growth metrics — a school that moves students forward matters as much as raw test scores
- Program offerings — AP, IB, dual enrollment, CTE, fine arts, and athletics
- Campus culture and parent involvement — talk to local parents, not just websites
School Zoning Tips for Leander TX Home Buyers
School zoning in a rapidly growing district like LISD is a moving target. Here's what experienced buyers know:
Verify zoning at leanderisd.org using your exact address — not the neighborhood name or builder's marketing materials.
Zoning can change as new campuses open. A home bought in 2023 zoned to Akin Elementary may rezone to a newer campus by 2025.
For new construction on a lot not yet assigned an address, ask the builder which school zone they expect the lot to fall in — but treat it as an estimate, not a guarantee.
Intra-district transfers are possible but not guaranteed. Apply early; popular campuses fill quickly.
Homes near attendance boundary lines are higher risk for rezoning. Ask Joe to check boundary proximity before you make an offer.
Leander ISD Schools FAQ
Is Leander ISD a good school district?
Yes — Leander ISD is consistently one of the top-rated large school districts in Texas. It holds a 'B' overall rating from the Texas Education Agency and multiple campuses earn 'A' ratings. The district serves over 45,000 students and is known for strong academics, athletics, and fine arts programs. GreatSchools ratings for LISD campuses range from 6 to 9 out of 10.
How do I find which Leander ISD school my address is zoned to?
Use the official Leander ISD school finder at leanderisd.org. Enter your address and it will return your assigned elementary, middle, and high school. Note: zoning for new construction communities can change as the district adds capacity, so always verify at closing — not just during your home search.
What are the high schools in Leander ISD?
Leander ISD has four high schools: Leander High School, Vista Ridge High School, Glenn High School, and Rouse High School. Each has distinct programs — Vista Ridge is known for its STEM magnet program, Glenn for athletics and fine arts, Rouse for its International Baccalaureate program, and Leander HS for its longstanding academic tradition.
Does Leander ISD offer dual enrollment or AP classes?
Yes — all four LISD high schools offer extensive AP (Advanced Placement) coursework. Vista Ridge and Rouse also offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Dual enrollment partnerships with Austin Community College allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.
Can I choose which Leander ISD school my child attends?
Leander ISD allows intra-district transfers subject to available capacity. Magnet and specialty programs (like the STEM program at Vista Ridge or IB at Rouse) have their own application processes and are open to students district-wide. Outside of specialty programs, your assigned school is based on your home address.