Military family moving to Austin: Need advice on elementary school for 5 year old daughter (Brushy Creek: to rent)

[Carter0927]

Hi we will be moving to Austin in July this year (2019).

We will be visiting schools next (Monday 4/22) week to tour. I have shortlisted the following elementary schools:
Laurel Mountain, Elsa England, Spicewood, Cactus ranch, Patsy Sommer.

We plan to rent a house based on the school we like. There are so many varied rankings out there for schools, it is hard to tell which ones are really good. Please advise.

Would you suggest any other schools than these?

Best,
KC

[Trainwreck20]

There are a ton of good elementary schools up there (assuming you are looking NW?). Are you planning on renting there and then buying for long-term? If so, plan more around the future high schools and maybe middle schools, and select an elementary that feeds into them. Of course, that can change, but you can minimize that likelihood based on location, as well. If by mentioning military you mean that you will only be there a short while, I would pick the one with the shortest commute to y'alls work.

Does you child have any particular needs compared to any other child? It is hard to recommend one over another in that area, really, or at least that is my experience.

[Austin97]

Laurel mountain is probably one of the best schools in the entire area. However it is very competitive. Regular ability kids can be made to feel slow because the kids are so good.

[ScoPro]

England & Sommer are top notch schools, and the neighborhoods are first rate family communities.
We have lived in this area (Brushy Creek - next door to Avery Ranch & Pearson Place) for 24 years and watched them grow. Have heard nothing but good things about both. England is several years newer and is next to the new middle school. Plus a new high school is slated to be built just down the street on Pearson Ranch Road.

[ashbeeigh]

Those are great schools. As long as the homes are in your budget and the commute is okay for you and your family you should have no issues.

[COCUE]

Originally Posted by Carter0927

Hi we will be moving to Austin in July this year (2019).

We will be visiting schools next (Monday 4/22) week to tour. I have shortlisted the following elementary schools:
Laurel Mountain, Elsa England, Spicewood, Cactus ranch, Patsy Sommer.

We plan to rent a house based on the school we like. There are so many varied rankings out there for schools, it is hard to tell which ones are really good. Please advise.

Would you suggest any other schools than these?

Best,
KC

Honestly there are way too many good to great elementary schools in the Austin area based on ratings. Of course they may not be a good fit for every child.
If you are military and only here for a short time, I'd echo the PP and suggest you select a school closest to your jobs. Austin traffic can really make you crazy yet it's not the worst in the world is even US ( there's just something about it, I guess).

To address your question, the schools you selected are all good. They are all RRISDd and track to McNeil and Westwood for high school. But they are so far apart from each other that if Laurel mountain is a good commute to work, cactus ranch adds possibility another 30 minutes or more during rush hour. If work is South for instance, the commute from any of these would be horrendous. But if you've considered commute, I imagine any of them would be okay. I personally know parents at Sommers, England, Spicewood and Laurel Mountain and they seem happy.