Liberal in Leander, Texas? (Austin, Cedar Park: transplants, neighborhood, private schools)

[haraas]

My kids schools is planning to move to a location in Leander. It is an Islamic school and I am concerned that Leander is not that liberal minded. With all of the recent negative media attention towards Muslims, I have a fear that this is not the best suited neighborhood for the school. Generally, how is the reception to people of other religious beliefs in this area?

[centralaustinite]

The Austin Peace Academy is moving to Leander?

I checked the web site and apparently they are!
Austin Peace Academy

It will be fine, Leander is a place full of transplants from other places including many people with an international background. Of course, there are idiots everywhere but probably fewer in Leander than most places!!

You should share your concerns with the school's Board of Director and see what the feasibility study says, I'm sure that they have considered the reception of the school as one factor in the selection of this site.

[parasitius]

Sorry I don't know about Leander, but I do have to ask... dying of curiosity. Why in the heck are you sending them to an Islamic school? Is this like a hippie tolerance and understanding attempt where you want your kids to understand the mindset of "the other" by infiltrating their front lines or some pseudopsychobabble like that?

(Although I must admit I'm hoping you will say you have future CIA career plans for them )

[mark311]

Originally Posted by parasitius

Sorry I don't know about Leander, but I do have to ask... dying of curiosity. Why in the heck are you sending them to an Islamic school?

They are most likely a Muslim family. Austin is a big melting pot of all races/religions.

I can see that you're in Ohio and not the Austin area. Maybe Ohio is less diverse in general? I'm sure most of us in the Austin area just assumed that they are a Muslim family.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by parasitius

Sorry I don't know about Leander, but I do have to ask... dying of curiosity. Why in the heck are you sending them to an Islamic school? Is this like a hippie tolerance and understanding attempt where you want your kids to understand the mindset of "the other" by infiltrating their front lines or some pseudopsychobabble like that?

(Although I must admit I'm hoping you will say you have future CIA career plans for them )

Are you kidding me? My best guess (especially given the user name) is that the OP is Muslim! C'mon, you have them in Ohio, don't you? This may be a shock but Austin has a thriving Muslim community with several substantial mosques and an Islamic school (prek-12). Austin Peace Academy plays sports against other small private schools. Muslims institutions are also a part of Austin Interfaith Action.

[parasitius]

Oh, right, makessense, nevermind

Can't say I know any Moslems, but yeah, on the other end of the state (Toledo) I'm aware of a huge mosque next to the highway (75). It really blows your mind the first time you drive by it like you just passed into an alternate universe hehe

[calel]

I suspect Leander would be tolerant, but there's always idiots out there wherever you live. Leander is filled with a lot of families who work in Austin and just wanted affordable housing and decent schools for their kids. Maybe you might want to ask the Muslim community organizations in the area for their perspective?

[mark311]

Originally Posted by calel

Maybe you might want to ask the Muslim community organizations in the area for their perspective?

Agreed. I drive by the Islamic Center of Brushy Creek a few times per week and it's in Cedar Park not far from Leander. They could probably provide some good input.

Islamic Center of Brushy Creek