Home price vs. Schools

[queenie]

The Alamo Heights school district is well known here for it's excellence. I've heard people say it is the best in the state. People pay a high price just to be in the district, but you can still find houses under 200K now and then if you are patient.

My brothers kids have gone to private schools Keystone, San Antonio Academy and also St. Mary's Hall. I know that Keystone scores were so high that only 3 schools in the world were higher. And one of their students was named top young scientist in the US. If you can swing it, I would go the private school route -- I've watched in awe as my nieces and nephews excel and develop at a very young age. My public school education was never like that.

[neddy]

I agree with queenie that if you can swing it go private. My 1st son went to publec last year for kinder and now goes to private and there is a night and day difference in the schools and also how my son acts. Last year he was withdrawn and quite shy. The new school brought him out of that shell and he is doing great in everything. There are lots of private schools here with lots of price tags, Keystone and SA Academy and The Winston School are on the higher end we are at St George and its about in the middle price range. Trinity United Methodist, and lots of others are even lower.

[George IYC]

Hi Nobody,

I have a similar concern since my son is in a gifted and talented program as well, and we may be moving to San Antonio. Regarding public schools, we focused on NEISD (we are also considering private school for him, and the comments posted here have been consistent with other comments we've heard) after looking at all the other public schools in the area. NEISD also has new schools opening which will alleviate the overcrowding situation there by the time your child reaches middle and high schools.

Alamo Heights has good schools, especially at the elementary and middle school levels, but the public high school there seems have more of a social focus rather than academics.

In our current school district, Fairfax County, Virginia, there are two intelligence tests administered, the CogAT and NNAT tests. I contacted NEISD, and they will accept the results of these tests for admission to their GT program. However, your child will still have to go through specific placement exams at the elementary school level. I believe their program starts at the 2nd grade. You can contact the NEISD GT administrator and ask her specific questions about the program. Their program is not as extensive as our current school district, but it is a good program.