Kathy Caraway Elementary School

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Posted: March 29, 2026

Caraway is a hidden gem tucked away in the area. The other schools in the area have over double the students. You can not put a price on smaller class sizes and the environment of everyone knowing everyone. Caraway is a small and nurturing school. Academics are great but not too much pressure so the kids can still be kids (an issue friends from neighboring schools are having). They have chickens and goats that the kids help take care of. I cannot recommend enough.

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Posted: August 15, 2025

Caraway is such a special gem tucked away in the Great Hills area. It is nearly 1/2 the size of the other two elementary schools in the area. It maintains the same level of academics and education but with a very small school feel that is priceless. You get to know families so quickly and the teachers know every child by name. Kids love to come to school and feel very safe. The administration is extremely engaged and when I have had any issues, I feel heard and things are handled professionally and in a timely manner. Caraway is the biggest gift you can give you child.

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

Posted: May 10, 2025

New administration is untruthful, manipulative and documents false information. My son has dysgraphia and autism but they refused to provide help. When he was very clearly bullied by a group of kids who repetitively caused trouble, they victim blamed and tried to cover up the issue. My son was clearly depressed and did not want to return to school each day. The principal wrote in her records he was “unaffected” by the taunting and later stated “no bullying occurred.” She deliberately mixed up witnesses and said she spoke with people who told me she never spoke with. The principal’s main goal was to preserve image and reputation, even if the cost was harming my son.

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

This is a wonderful school, tucked away in an amazing neighborhood. The new administration is top notch, and they are bringing back that closeness that many schools lost during the pandemic. Caraway is exemplary in academics, and yet also has a small neighborhood school feel to it. Faculty and staff know your child, greet them with a high five or hug in the morning, and really care about the WHOLE child, not just testing scores and grades. I feel very safe leaving my small child in their care. I feel like they meet educational needs, social-emotional needs, and provide enrichment opportunities as well. This school excels in parent involvement, there are many opportunities for whole families to be included. Not only is Round Rock ISD a destination district, Caraway is a school that people seek to transfer to.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Awesome experience so far. Great teachers and staff. Very kind and lovable Principal.

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: April 27, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

Posted: February 25, 2020

We've been very pleased with our childrens' experiences at Caraway. Coming from a different state, they were able to make friends quickly and integrate well. The teachers have been welcoming and communicate well. As an indication of the academic environement at this school, we attended an info session on the TAG program last fall and it was standing room only -- probably 100 families in there. Great to be surrounded by other kids and families that prize and appreciate a solid education. Overall, it has been a very positive experience. My only concern is that it is a bit crowded and frenetic, but this will be fixed by the boundary realignment that will occur with the 2020/2021 school year. Solid school with involved parents and good academics.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Not good. If you can get over the fact that the parents at this school are completely arrogant then you're left with the fact that the administration is clueless, discriminatory, and rude...Overall, decent curriculum with an incredibly bad atmosphere.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: February 15, 2019

Posted: February 15, 2019

Posted: February 15, 2019

Posted: February 15, 2019

Very bad, decided to transfer my kid after 3rd grade
Was very emotionally traumatized myself looking at my kids progress ...
He was totally lost and neglected for the amount of time he has been there ... even now with different school it’s taking a while to come back on track ... he has lost his 3 years of learning experience and is trying to catch up to meet the 5th grade standards and be prepared for middle school ... I wish I realized this earlier and would have decided to pull him out in time
Was just thinking this is a bad year he might be placed in better class next year ... unfortunately it never happen ...
It’s not like I use to not volunteer a lot ... I was always in school with my both kids
Being a home room parent or helping with other school events ...

Trust me I am scared to death just to imaging my 3 rd kid starting this school

Posted: February 15, 2019

My kids 2 kids went through this school
Kid #1 from k-5 didn’t realize about less HW since older one was self learner and in TAG
Kid #2 was in this school from K-3 very quite very shy so since he didn’t get any HW he was just ideal most of the time any thing extra I would tell him to do study wise he use to not do it since it was not assigned from school

Posted: February 15, 2019

The teachers might be good but unfortunately the class formation was the big issue here
Kid # 1 I didn’t realize that since she was self learner and in TAG for we didn’t realize whether the class formation is a issue here she always excelled
Kid # 2 since he need more guided study pattern and less distracted class
Unfortunately he was always placed in a class were majority of kids were either very distractive or academically challenged and few TAG kids apart from his 1st grade teacher experience rest of the 3 years just went with out learning he usevto literally go to school and come home ( with no social development no educational development) sincevthe hime room teachers were more focused on managing the distructive kids

Over all according to my experience not all classes are formed in a balance way where it should be the combination of few challenge kids , few smart kids , few role models and entinically balanced class

Lot of discrimination and politics in class distribution

Posted: February 15, 2019

Posted: March 6, 2018

Learning differences may include two things: a. Quick learners and b. Slow learners. I believe this school has great intervention program. On the flip side, this school has below average approach on kids who are fast learners.

Posted: March 6, 2018

I have not understood Principal's approach to bullying and discipling. Entire grade is punished when two kids fight in the playground, or when sometime one kid causes raucous. Now, this kid already knows how NOT to let other kids have fun. Some kids are happy to go to Principal's office than visit some old timer teachers. In my days, going to Principal's office was a big deal.

Posted: March 6, 2018

RRISD, I believe, has some homework policy. But I am not sure if every school has enforce that policy. At this school, homework is dependent on a teacher. Some teachers are very dedicated, and others are simply lazy. We have had both shares of teachers. Some give homework of great value, others don't really care.

Posted: March 6, 2018

Like any other professionals, some teachers are very good, others are mediocore, and some teachers here are truely horrible. I think this school has lost few good teachers in the recent past, and new crew have joined. They may be great. However, this school is not in Finland, this is in Texas. So teachers are not paid that great, don't have great liberty (stick to STARR testing), and TEKS, I believe is mediocore. It's not creating outstanding scientists, leaders, musicians, artists of the future (comparing with other educating systems around the coutry and the world). Within that realm, averaging out the teachers, I think it's ok. I have heard ( don't have kids in TAG), one of the TAG teachers is horrible. So, I guess if you child is TAG, flee!

Posted: March 6, 2018

Maybe. But then most of those things I believe come from home as well.

Posted: March 6, 2018

This school has new leadership that joined a few years ago. She DID try to shake up the system. Whenever that happens, whether it's corporate world, or government or plain old public school, things get rattled and people get unhappy. I am not privy to all the internal politics, nor do I want. However, it seems there's an atmosphere of pushback from leadership and teachers ( I guess mostly from old timers). I think that's natural. What is unnatural in this school, this school has disproportionately large number of students from apartments. Nothing wrong with kids from apartment, except parents are least involved. Zero contribution to PTA and school activities. Most parents there are transitional; and are least involved at the school. It looks like Princpal is trying her best to mobilize that set of parents as well. Maybe district should alleviate the pain by evenly distributing the kids from various apartments.

This school also has a disproportionately diverse socio-economic background, unlike other schools in the neighbourhood. With that comes baggage, which is challenging for the administration. So, instead of focusing on how to improve certain program at the school, Principal has to focus on which student stole $20 from teacher's purse in the class.

Posted: March 6, 2018

There are two aspects about experiences with learing at shcool.
1. Classroom setting for learning.
2. Recess and playground setting for having fun.

For 1, I believe it totally depends on the teachers. Like I mentioned, some teachers are great, others are horrible. If you are lucky to get a good teacher, you are set.

For 2, it's the leadership. I don't believe school uses effective tool for recess. Taking ball away because someone fought is a punishment for all, not for the kid who fought.

Posted: May 5, 2017

Posted: May 5, 2017

Posted: May 5, 2017

You have to hit them over the head with a frying pan to get them to pay attention but once they do, they do take it seriously.

Posted: May 5, 2017

My child has sensory processing disorder which is a neurological condition in which a fight or flight reaction happens in what we think are normal conditions. She can not help her reactions such as crying. The teachers continuously told her she could help it and shamed her when she couldn't stop leading her to believe that there actually was something wrong with her because she genuinely CAN NOT Help it. We had spoken to the teacher about this at the beginning of the year.

Posted: May 5, 2017

Once the principal became involved in our situation it was better but it took a lot for the principal to get involved

Posted: May 5, 2017

Our second grade teacher allowed the bullies to bully until I went over her head.

Posted: May 5, 2017

This school uses shame and exercise as punishments. If someone talks, 10 laps around the basketball court. And not only that, their recess time is used for the laps. On top of that the teachers say things like do you need to go back to first grade? You are going to lose all of your friends if you don't stop crying. My child was also bullied this year and her teacher over and over told me it was fine even though my child was coming home in tears almost every day for MONTHS. I had to get the principal involved and even then I had to threaten going to the school board because nothing was being done. When they finally did something it got way better. One kid changed classes, the other two were suspended. And my child was sent to the counselor to help with coping skills. The counselor is a beautiful woman who cares sooo much for the kids and is really really amazing. The saving grace of the school and the insensitive, sarcastic, and rude second grade staff.

Posted: November 18, 2014

Caraway has very caring teachers and has a new principal this year. I believe that Ms. Bailey will bring some structure to this school. My daughter has attended Caraway since 1st grade and she's a very fast learner so that does not concern me. What concerns me is that they are constantly trying to sell themselves to the parents. The parents who donate the $ and their children get most of the attention and special treatment while the children who have working parents remain un-noticed and un-recognized for their achievements. The school is over crowded at this point so there are way too much students per teacher. My daughter's teacher at the beginning of the year was switched at the last minute. The field trip (once a year maybe) is pretty lame - I think they went to a Westwood play? What happened to museums and parks?? Supposedly the harvest festival was a great success and all we can afford is a play within the Round Rock school district? I dunno. Seems weird to me. Also every event - performances and concerts - are very unorganized. The 3rd grade performance was pitiful. There was not even enough room on the risers for the 3rd graders! Wasn't this planned? Disappointed.

Posted: October 28, 2014

This is an excellent school where my 4th grader kid is enjoying his study,extra curricular activities etc etc. Kids,Parents,Teachers,Principal are all like a 5 out of 5 star ratings .

Posted: August 4, 2014

The best Elementary school in Austin! Caraway has a very hometown feel where everyone knows each other. The principal is outstanding. We moved to the area just for the schools and couldn't be happier. I have never experienced such parent involvement. Every child gets individualized attention and seems to enjoy being there. What a hidden treasure.

Posted: April 1, 2014

My grandson started at Caraway Elementary this last year (2013). He was recently diagnosed with mild autism and was non-verbal when he started school. In six months he has shown great verbal and behavioral improvement. His family is so pleased with his progress and he enjoys going to school and seeing his teacher and his friends. His progress at Caraway Elementary has given us all hope and encouragement for his future. We are very grateful to his teacher and the staff at Caraway Elementary.

Posted: October 23, 2013

Is the best elementary school in Austin Tx !!!!!, The Principal is so Wonderful plus is a joyous learning experience for the kids, everything is very organized and functions excellent!!

Posted: October 21, 2013

Great school! Great teachers, great students and great programs. My two kids in this school and their teachre are dedicated to teach in passion. And their friends are very nice to my kids, so my kids really want to go to school every time. They even count down to the school day in weekends. There are many and various programs, so my kids like to join those programs. The school makes students to be interested in the programs and most of them are educational and joyful.

Posted: October 19, 2013

I agree with the former RRISD teacher below, my daughter has had two not-so-great teachers in a row. I feel like she's not well-prepared for middle school and am having to re-teach many concepts at home. Not what I expected for such a highly-rated school.

Posted: December 17, 2012

This school has disappointed me. As a highlight, the teachers are very caring and go well beyond to help students. The major con is that the vice-principle seems more interested in not marring the Caraway name instead of directly and appropriately dealing with real issues like bullying and pack-mentality.

Posted: June 12, 2012

As a former RRISD teacher, I thought Caraway would be the place to have my child. Was I ever wrong. My now middle schooler has no idea how the writing process works or how to problem solve. I had to teach and re-teach at home constantly. The school -in my opinion- does not earn its exemplary rating. It teaches to the standardized test(s) and has admin that knows how to "sell" to parents and higher admin. Very very disappointed with the overall experience.

Posted: March 16, 2012

Caraway has an experienced, capable, and caring staff at all levels. There is a kindness there that creates an atmosphere that makes my daughter feel comfortable. The principal know all the students and is very accessible. When I was making my decision on where my daughter would go to school the principal personally called me, left a message and her private cell phone number. From classroom to lunchroom to the pickup and drop-off process the school is a well oiled machine. Everything is planned down to the smallest detail; the students know what is expected of them at all times. Parental involvement is very high and enthusiastic. You will never feel out of the loop; communication between the school and parents and between teacher and parents occurs almost on a daily basis. I could not be more pleased that my daughter is attending Caraway.

Posted: January 3, 2012

My son went to Caraway for 3 years, K to 2 grade and we both loved it! Great academics, great community sense, fantastic teachers, caring families, attention to arts and science, and a principal that is always available - she knows every student by the name and has an open door policy - she will reply to your email within hours! We had to move to a different state and no a day goes by that we don't miss Caraway Elementary.

Posted: June 1, 2011

Good education, both in academics and social skills. The principal really does know every child in the school, there is an incredible amount of parent involvement, there is cultural diversity which is embraced and appreciated, and they teach kids how to live and think well, not just how to pass a test. The TAG program has been a saving grace for my son, so they do deal well with special needs kids at both ends of the spectrum. They won't tell 50% of the kids that they are academically gifted just because they are above average; my older son was denied participation in the TAG program and eventually I had to acknowledge that they were right--he's smart but not gifted. My younger one needs the stimulation of TAG to remain academically functional. There are a couple teachers whom I don't think should be teaching, but overall, this is a solid school on all fronts.

Posted: February 15, 2011

I'm very upset with this school. I spoke to many other parents in this neighborhood and they all say the same thing. This school want to put many kids in a "learning group", but only if your child is not above average. Then they convince you that your child has problems. I then found out later that this school receives extra money for "learning disable" kids. In which all they need is so extra attention. One teacher with 20 kids. She/he cant focus on my child nor yours.