James Garland Walsh Middle

James Garland Walsh Middle in Round Rock, TX, is a high-performing public school serving 1,208 students in grades 6-8 within the Round Rock Independent School District (Isd), consistently ranking in the top 5% of Texas middle schools over the past decade.

Walsh Middle stands out for its exceptional academic results, particularly in advanced mathematics and social studies. In the 2025-2026 school year, nearly 97% of students taking the Algebra I End-of-Course exam were proficient—far exceeding the district average of 70% and the state average of 54%. This indicates that many students are accelerated into high school-level math by 8th grade and mastering it at an elite level. The school also excels in 8th Grade Social Studies, with a 73% proficiency rate that more than doubles the state average. However, like many nearby schools, Walsh experiences a notable dip in math proficiency from 6th to 7th grade, suggesting this is a regional curriculum challenge rather than a school-specific issue. For context, nearby Florence W Stiles Middle in Leander Independent School District (Isd) outperforms Walsh in math but trails slightly in social studies, highlighting different strengths among top-tier schools in the area.

While Walsh remains a top choice, recent data shows a slight decline in subgroup performance for Hispanic students, low socio-economic status students, and English Language Learners, dropping from the 94th-96th percentile range to the 82nd-88th percentile. This suggests the school may face new challenges in serving its diverse student body at the highest level. Additionally, Walsh is a clear outlier within its district, ranking 102nd in Texas compared to nearby Hopewell Middle (705th) and C D Fulkes Middle (2,032nd), reflecting significant differences in resources and opportunity across school zones. Overall, Walsh offers a rigorous academic environment with strong outcomes, especially for students ready to tackle advanced coursework.