Anderson versus Bowie?? Need help with neighborhoods, schools (Austin, Alamo: rent, house)

[dpinala]

My husband just got a job offer and we will be relocating to Austin within a few weeks. The job will be near 6th Street and Mopac. We have a high-schooler and are considering either Anderson or Bowie high schools. Which area would be a better commute? We also need a good elementary school for our younger son. Any tips on these two areas and the schools, community would be very helpful because we are moving from out of state!

[jd411]

Bowie looks to be the better school with a "Recognized" rating vs. Anderson being "Acceptable". Circle C in SW Austin is zone to Bowie. It is very nice and at some point they will get their own high school and Circle C kids will move out of Bowie into the new school.

This seems like a great choice for you as you have a high schooler now that can go to Bowie and then a youngster that can go to the new high school if the timing works out. In any event, you'd be covered. I would imagine a new high school would have a high ranking w/ Circle C kids going there and Bowie's rating would drop off at that point.

Of course, I am partial to the SW area as I lived there for a couple years when I first moved to Austin (we were zoned to Bowie). We really enjoyed living there.

Looks like both schools/areas are pretty much the same distance to get to downtown so the commute shouldn't really be a factor in making the decision.

I will say that I can see that living north would provide you access to more shopping/entertainment at the Domain and Arboretum, but SW should have all you need (Arbor Trails, Barton Creek Mall, SouthPark Meadows, brand new Alamo, etc.).

[BevoLJ]

For schools in AISD only, Bowie is probably the best. Followed not far by Austin, Anderson and McCallum (no real order). Including other districts Eanes (Westlake) then Bowie. Then Austin, Anderson and McCallum (again, no real order). All are good schools.

Any particular reason why you aren't considering Westlake or McCallum?

For commute the easiest will be Austin (obviously) then Westlake. Then McCallum. Both Anderson and Bowie you will likely run into some traffic. It will really depend on where in those areas you chose to live. For example for Bowie, in Circle C a commute to W 6th will be easy but in Oak Hill with the Y it is a nightmare. A commute from NW Austin to W 6th can be rough, but defiantly doable.

[Austinite101]

Well, Anderson has higher SAT scores, but Bowie has higher TAKS scores. From what I've seen, Anderson generally has a higher performance ceiling than Bowie (I am a senior at Bowie). I, honestly, liked Anderson better when I was there. But Bowie is good too I guess. I just hate how the kids here walk around like they go to Harvard or something. It gets old really quick.

[dpinala]

Thanks so much for the feedback. As for Bowie, I am not sure we will be able to live in Circle C, at least initially. Is the area as desirable if you can't live in Circle C?

Also, can anyone shed light on the area that feeds into Summitt Elementary, Murchison Middle and Anderson High? We need to move quickly and will rent a house at first and it seems like it is difficult to get into the Hill Elementary zone but Summitt Elementary might be easier. Any thoughts?

[ImOnFiya]

Ironically, the schools that feed into Anderson High are not as in demand as the schools that feed into Bowie, but (in my personal opinion), Northwest Austin is nicer than Southwest Austin, extremely safe, closer to major shopping centers (Arborteum and the Domain), and the commute would be shorter to downtown.

[FueledByBlueBell]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

Ironically, the schools that feed into Anderson High are not as in demand as the schools that feed into Bowie, but (in my personal opinion), Northwest Austin is nicer than Southwest Austin, closer to major shopping centers (Arborteum and the Domain), and the commute would be shorter to downtown.

Doss is in very high demand. We based our location around it and I know many others who have as well.

[jd411]

Yes its still desirable. There are other neighborhoods bordering Circle C that are still nice. Also, immediately on the other side of Mopac, Sendera is a nice community and zoned to Bowie.

[zhugeliang1]

Doss is the best! My kids went there when we lived in the Far West area, we loved Doss and the neighborhood around the school.

[paul6835]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

Well, Anderson has higher SAT scores, but Bowie has higher TAKS scores.

So your options are:

a) your kid does really well in Texas History
or
b) your kid gets into a top school

I'll take Anderson. As far as being more desireable schools, good luck even finding a home in Doss Elem. I spent 6 months trying to do it and know people who have been searching for over a year. Things will go off the market the day they're listed unless they're way overpriced. You can cross the boundry street and prices go up 15%.