The Girls' School of Austin (Taylor, Leander: to rent, buying a home, buying)

[Dr.Mom]

We're contemplating a move to Austin and are interested in the Girls' School. Does anyone have any experience with them? Thanks for any help!

[chickenfry]

It just opened this year. It was the dream of Ann Richard's. I'm sure you've read enough to see that many apply for the slots. If Ann's dream translates into reality, then what a great place for your (anyone's) daughter

[GreenPlastic]

Dr.Mom - I believe you are referring to the Girl's School of Austin - different than the Ann Richards Leadership school referenced in the previous reply.

I think you need to tour the school and ask a lot of questions. I would not want my daughter to attend the school, but it really is a personal decision. The education is probably pretty good, but I think other school philosophies are a bit much and as a new, small school, the opinion of certain parents carries too much weight.

[Dr.Mom]

Thanks for your input. Could you please elaborate about the "other school philosophies?"
I truly appreciate your candor. We're coming from Pennsylvania where there are many more private, independent schools that are not religiously affiliated. As a result, I feel like I'm pretty limited in terms of choices in Austin.

[txhillrunner]

Dr. Mom - I don't know if you have made a move to Austin or are still looking at The Girls School of Austin. But, my husband and I just decided to move our daughter there this year (08-09). We visited the school as a family and had a our daughter do a "shadow" day this past March. We were very impressed and our daughter was, too.
We have been going to Exemplary rated Leander public schools (we live in far west Austin) for 4 years and decided to make the move to private school.

The main reason we picked it was for the academics and small nurturing environment. I also talked to at least 10 current families and a few past parents of the Girls school. I heard a lot of great things!

Hope this helps.

[Dr.Mom]

Thanks so much for your post txhillrunner! We will be moving to Austin sometime over the next year when our house sells. It seems like such a wonderful school and I'm so impressed with the head of school. I can't believe that it isn't more popular. Does it have a waiting list that you know of? Please keep me posted on your daughter's experience there. Again, thanks so much for your post. It's gut wrenching to try to pick a school for your child when you're 1500 miles away!

[TexasHorseLady]

It's gut wrenching to try to pick a school for your child when you're 1500 miles away!

I feel for you. It's gut wrenching to try to pick a school for your child when you're right here in town, never mind having to do it long distance!

[marylee54]

I don't know anything about the school, but trying to pick a school from 1500 miles away is quite a task. I've always found my impressions upon visiting a school were different than any impressions formed from websites, phone conversations, etc. I've found you just have to visit the place first, and decide for yourself.

I would prefer a private school for my children, just for a variety of reasons, but most all of the private schools here are religious affiliated. They say you don't have to be a member of their church to attend the school, but if you're not an active member your kid is slighted. Just be prepared to go to every church service (that included Wednesday night prayer meetings), attend all the potlucks, all the events, and, of course, don't forget your checkbook. That's what it all boils down to---he who has the gold makes the rules. If you're not prepared to really involve yourself in the church, don't bother sending your kid to their school. Sorry, that's the way it is here in the Bible belt.

Of course, this school isn't religious affiliated, but I would strongly suggest making a trip down here to visit if at all possible before signing up. Yes, its an expense, but your child's education is a big investment. You just have to find where your comfort level is.

[Dr.Mom]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful responses. We will definitely be making multiple trips to Austin before moving and plan to rent for 6 months prior to buying a home. We need to move for my DH's job, so we do not have much choice.

I was quite surprised to find that most private schools are religiously affiliated in Austin. I had assumed with Austin's more liberal attitudes that there would be more choices. Maybe they are yet to come. I completely agree with Marylee54, that unless the whole family is able to commit to the "lifestyle" of the school, the children are apt to feel left out. Seems like the Girls' School is the right choice for us. Thanks again for all of your help! This forum is a lifesaver!

[love roses]

I don't know about others experiences with that, but in mine, I don't find that the churches around here, or at least the ones I know of, treat kids that way or make the parent get involved in the church. I work in a church PDO, and we don't do that. My nieces are in a Catholic associated school in Taylor, and they also don't do that.