Job is in Lakeway, Undecided about where to live and where to enroll kids... (Round Rock: appointed, HOA fees)

[MIKEDATIGER]

Lots of nice areas around. Lakeway would certainly be the most convenient as it would be close to work. I have read through countless threads but chose to search for fresher and more relevant answers.

I have 2 elementary aged kids who would love to go to my boss' kids school LTE. I have concerns over issues at HUDSON BEND Middle escalating in the future and being stuck with this choice. Can anyone provide info on why HBMS is not exemplary ?

Anyhow, I love the area and the people but the many choices ( including price ranges , HOA fees, home types, yard s, etc...) are taking effect on my decision making abilities.

I have searched far and wide and would enjoy reading new and updated info on this area.

Any help and advice is appreciated !

TIA

[Bo]

This map should help identify the best nearby schools.

Texas School Performance Maps

[TheyCallMeDerek]

Parents on GreatSchools.com have given it a 9 of 10 rating, but why it's not "exemplary" has everything to do with test results etc. Ratings change though, even an exemplary school can be downgraded a yr after the kids start so there aren't any guarantees either way. HBMS seems to be a great school. Questions to ask yourself might include: is the staff helpful or apathetic, does the campus feel good, was there much violence on campus, diverse? etc.

[hound 109]

I would look at the TAKS scores of HBMS (from the LTISD website). Not only for the entire student body, but also the ethnic sub-groups.

It's my understanding that two - four kids (say out of a total of 10-15 kids) scoring under 70...(or is 80?)from an ethnic sub-group can knock a school out of "exemplary" & down a notch.....even if the school overall scores off the chart good on the TAKs.

(Which is why I hate terms like "exemplary" etc. & prefer to review the data). imo, these terms are predominant because of lazy realtors who rely on the Exemplary etc. terms instead of providing actual test scores & demographics on the schools their clients are interested in.

Also.....i believe most middle schools generally score lower than elementarys & high schools....not sure why.

Hopefully those familiar with HBMS will respond. I DO like the fact that they have a MS tennis team when most MS's don't.

[TheyCallMeDerek]

Originally Posted by hound 109

... these terms are predominant because of lazy realtors who rely on the Exemplary etc. terms instead of providing actual test scores & demographics on the schools their clients are interested in.

Are we to assume our clients aren't able to do their own "due diligence"? From this comment alone I think I can assume that if a Realtor came to you with stats on a school you might not believe them, worried that maybe thay were feeding you info with an alterior motive....I always provide more than enough info for my clients, and if they need more, I'll get it. But most of the time they're getting this info on their own and glad to do it.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by CallDerek

Are we to assume our clients aren't able to do their own "due diligence"? From this comment alone I think I can assume that if a Realtor came to you with stats on a school you might not believe them, worried that maybe thay were feeding you info with an alterior motive....I always provide more than enough info for my clients, and if they need more, I'll get it. But most of the time they're getting this info on their own and glad to do it.

I would think that a professional who specializes in a neighborhood or a collection of neighborhoods would have done the 30 min. of research that it would take to come up with current & historical test scores for the 1/2 dozen schools in neighborhoods that they would be showing (or listing) homes in.

My experience (2 different times) was that -0- realtors had this information handy. Instead they gave the vague "exemplary" etc. terms with no idea what the numbers were or what numbers delivered these ratings.

I think it is asking alot for an out of towner (or an out of stater) to do their "own due dilligence" on 20 + schools (in 2-3 different areas of town) when:

- They're not sure what neighborhood feeds into what school.
- They're not familiar with Texas schools....much less TAKS.
- Often times they don't know the difference between an "area", a school & a district. (Round Rock for example) How could they? It's confusing for folks who actually LIVE here.
- The school web sites are difficult to navigate to get this info.
- Great Schools gives a score out of 10....but no clue what the numbers represent.
- That great map that someone else posted (& i have posted in the past) is unfortunately 3 years old....stuff changes.

So no.....I think the realtor should be the "expert" on school scores (& everything else relating to the schools) in the neighborhoods that they show or list in.... & not the poor person who's trying to make the move. The realtor can "learn" this info once a year (on 6-12 schools) & have it handy...how hard could it be?

Instead most choose not to have this info available. You say that it's because either:

1) The client wouldn't "believe" the info you're giving him. (huh??) or

2) The client prefers to spend hours reasearching this info....when the info could just be given to them?? (huh??)

There are good realtors who particpate on this board....but if they didn't have the school numbers handy (or get them to me quick)....I wouldn't use them.

[MIKEDATIGER]

Hello Hound:

I agree with your comments.

As a buyer, I have a lot going on and fear the big issue of being force to put my kids into a school just based on what the Realtor says. Of course, this is the main reason why I am on this board , not only as a lurker but now as a poster.

I am seriously considering looking for a new Realtor as this is not the only point that she has disappointed me on thus far.

Thanks for all the replies and please continue them... much appreciated.

[hoffdano]

HBMS is a an excellent middle school. Although my kids all went to LTMS, I would have been equally happy with them in HBMS. HBMS has a slightly different demographic than LTMS which probably explains the different rating. You'll notice that LTE has a lower rating than the other LTISD elementary schools. That is completely a demographic issue. Two of my kids went to LTE before BCE was built and it is a fine elementary school.

[TheyCallMeDerek]

Hound 109 and MIKEDATIGER, this is why in the beginning of the Realtor/client relationship there should be a discussion about what is expected from the Realtor and what is MOST important to the client about the home or area. I quite often retrieve this info for my buyers when schools are stated as the most important aspect of a move. And you're right, it takes 30min or less. My point was that buyers aren't clueless and rarely need someone to hold their hand.

I had one buyer who LOVED a house that I found for them on the MLS and was DEVISTATED when the house behind them was a two story. She never stated this would be a problem, so we moved on and closed on another house. Buyers must communicate and Realtors must ask questions!

[MIKEDATIGER]

Thanks HOFFDANO...

I noticed you said 2 kids went to LTE before BCE was built , was there some re-zoning , what part of LTISD did you live in?

Do you know if there are plans for re-zoning in the future or any new schools in product line down the road ?

Thanks for your input.