School/neighborhood between San Marcos and Austin (Lockhart, Kyle: to rent, houses)

[azmeli]

Hi -- I have read some of the threads on schools and neighborhoods in Austin, but I am wondering if I could get some recommendations on what you would say are the best schools in San Marcos, in Austin, or between San Marcos and Austin. I will be working in San Marcos and my husband will be working in Austin (near the airport) -- I am not familiar with either of these areas very well. We have a child who will be entering the 7th grade next school year and we also have a preschooler. I understand that the best school for a child may vary from child to child, but I am interested in your general and/or personal knowledge of schools so that my husband and I can have some schools we can identify as possibilities to visit. We are not set on private, public, and/or charters (although my child has never attended public schools). We may either rent (~$2000 - $3000) or purchase a home (~$300k - $400k). We look forward to your thoughts.

And, does anybody have any insights on San Marcos Baptist Academy?

[hound 109]

I highly recommend that you rent for 6 mos. to a year & get your bearings. Also because both of your work locations aren't near middle schools (or high schools) that are often recommended here.

Here's a map I've found useful that illustrates this.

Texas School Performance Maps


Given both of your work locations, I'd look in the Kyle/Buda area or possibly even San Marcos or even Lockhart to rent...& possibly buy (Lockhart isn't often mentioned here, but you can get alot of home for the $$). Others here might also recommend Circle C area or even Wimberly....but that sure seems like a big commute for one or both of you.

Are you more interested in urban, suburban or neat little "mayberry" type experience?

(don't know about SM Baptist Academy.)

[azmeli]

This is helpful information... To answer your question, we would generally prefer an urban setting, but our top priority at the moment is our children's education -- Living in a suburban or smaller town would be okay. A big commute for ONE of us would be okay too.

[antennaball]

I live in Plum Creek, a "Traditional Neighborhood Development" subdivision in Kyle. I've lived here a little over a year and absolutely love it. It's designed to be a very Mayberry-esque kind of place and when I first moved here, I figured that it would seem really contrived, but it doesn't at all. It's been all we had hoped and more for raising kids. There is a good elementary school (Negley Elementary) located here within the subdivision and I like the fact that my kid can ride his bike to school every day. Academically, my son has been doing far better here than he ever did in the rather poor schools in San Marcos where we used to live.

Your price range actually falls well into the higher side of the houses here.

[achtungpv]

Circle C is only 30-35 minutes from San Marcos. You're going against traffic at rush hour so it's pretty quick.

[azmeli]

Any thoughts on Shady Hollow?