GreatSchools and Austin (Highland Park, Crockett, Bowie: sales, 2013, buying a house)

[787]

Is Greatschools.com accurate for Austin?

I'm looking to buy a house, and resale is important. I'm looking SW, near Mopac and I see Crocket HS is a '5'. IS that accurate?

[centralaustinite]

Oh more or less. The accuracy for parents and students depends on how big the sample size is and how recent the reviews and test scores. Reputations, good or bad, linger and are hard to change.

If you are perhaps wondering if a home that tracks to Bowie to worth $20-$30K more than one that tracks to Crockett, the answer is YES!

[787]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

If you are perhaps wondering if a home that tracks to Bowie to worth $20-$30K more than one that tracks to Crockett, the answer is YES!

Well, I wasn't really getting at that in my other thread, but Yes. Its' ONLY worth 20-30K more though? The sales comp said 100K more when adjusting for the structure. The cost-approach appraisal said the lot is worth only 30K more though, so I felt I was getting ripped off. That's another topic, though.

I'm looking at the ratings and also weighing 3 other houses that track to high schools in the 6-7 rating range in Austin. Buying a house in AISD that tracks to a HS rated 6 or 7, would those keep it's value okay?

[gpurcell]

I'm not sold on Akins at 6.

Edit: IMO the bottom of the acceptable high schools is McCallum.

[fortwashingtonkid]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

I'm not sold on Akins at 6.

Edit: IMO the bottom of the acceptable high schools is McCallum.

I agree with this. McCallum is falling though. That used to be a pretty good school. Their boundaries are huge and contains some not so great areas. Crockett and Akins are terrible.

[787]

So the website isnt accurate? Its 2013 information, so it should be up to date. Did Akins use to be bad but is now improving? Whats wrong with mccallum? Ive heard good things about it. Is Austin hs stable? These schools are all sorta clumped together ratings wise - I want to know if mccallum is trending downward and should be avoided.

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by 787

So the website isnt accurate? Its 2013 information, so it should be up to date. What wrong with mccallum?

Subjective information by definition cannot be inaccurate. You really, really, need to find a realtor to help you with this process. If you do have one, fire them immediately. If they've let you run this far off the rails without guidance they're a hack.

[787]

Just a school question. Im in the Austin HS area right now, but I thought it was a lot better than the other two, but the websites say otherwise, so Im feeling unsure.

[gpurcell]

I think McCallum is fine. A large portion of the feed zone into the high school is trending way upwards (e.g., Allandale).

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

I think McCallum is fine. A large portion of the feed zone into the high school is trending way upwards (e.g., Allandale).

Not only that, McCallum draws from one the wealthiest neighborhoods in Austin via Highland Park Elementary! The Fine Arts Academy magnet gives it a steady stream of excellent students. Lamar Middle used to be a weak spot but they are on fire now as a middle school Fine Arts magnet.

OP, I second the recommendation for a top-quality realtor to help you sort through all these.

In general, Bowie/Anderson/Austin/McCallum support and raise home values in the areas that track to them.

Akins and Crockett are definitely a step below them.

Travis, Lanier, and Reagan are a drag on home values in their respective areas.