Top private schools in Austin? (2013, universities, prestigious)

[Trainwreck20]

Any school is what you make of it (or the kids make of it). I know some great people who went to Eanes as kids, and I know some people with kids there now, and their kids are 'normal' (as normal as HS kids can be ). Some kids have a more developed identity than others by the time they reach HS, and although the peer pressure is still there, it is interpreted differently by different kids.

Long story short - there is a lot of money in Eanes, but there are a lot of involved families, as well. The structure and programs at the HS are excellent.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by vernmartinez

I am still so conflicted and confused...I just received so many discouraging replies about Eanes ISD basically being characterized as very materialistic and racially insensitive, but then I read all over this post how great the school district is. I'm just not quite sure what to make of it all...

I have a child attending Westlake High. Our experience has been that the stereotypes are mostly overblown. Our kid attended private school through 8th grade and assimilated into WHS with little trouble. Her group of new friends is very sweet (I met them all at her birthday party) and come from a variety of economic conditions.

Like private school, many Eanes families make financial sacrifices to afford the education. They are not all "rich", though many in fact are well off, as presumed. My daughter has former private school mates now attending Dripping Springs, Bowie, and McCallum. When we compare notes, there is little difference in what they all experience in their public high schools.

There are materialistic kids, drug users, slackers and high achievers at all high schools. There are good and bad teachers in all the schools. I personally chose to send my kid to WHS because after visiting the other three mentioned above, I was most impressed with WHS. Friends of our made different choices and sent their kids to other high schools.

Visit all the prospective schools and make up your own mind. That's the best advice to follow.

Steve

[looselynyc]

I went to visit Sri Atmandanda school this week and left with a lot more questions than I arrived with.
For one thing, I worry with the kids basically running the show that one risks raising some very self-important offspring who only know doing when and what they want. This is in no way doing them service since most of us recognise that in the real world that sort of indulgence is rarely afforded.
I also worried about the lack of structure. My daughter is ADHD and can get hyper focused on some tasks and is a master negotiator to avoid things she finds more challenging but a good education must, in my opinion, include all core subjects in the elementary years.
I love the idea of my child loving school and yearning to learn but is this style too loosey-goosey to cover all the bases and allow the child to grow up realising that they are not the king of the universe and to be happy one needs to be adaptable and resilient even under less than optimal conditions?

[getyking]

Hi ahufford, Does your child still attend Sri Atmananda? We have a 3 year old and are strongly considering this school when the time comes. With that in mind, does anyone else have experience with the SAM (Sri Atmananda) school? Thank you.

[austinite45]

Originally Posted by 3TexPats

Looking to move back to Austin--knew it well as a college student, and not at all as middle-aged parents! Will likely live in Westlake Hills, but not interested in public schools. What are the very best private schools in the area--we have a girl who will be in 6th grade when we move. Currently, we go to a very progressive, liberal K-12 private school on East Coast. Not interested in Catholic schools or anything too stuffy/conservative/rigid. Thanks!

"very best" means different things to different people.

but if you are going to be living in Westlake Hills, your options are limited to St. Stephens and Westlake High.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by austinite45

"very best" means different things to different people.

but if you are going to be living in Westlake Hills, your options are limited to St. Stephens and Westlake High.

Trinity Episcopal is k-8.

[austinite45]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Trinity Episcopal is k-8.

Isn't that a very religious entity? I think the OP doesn't want that.

I wouldn't recommend subjecting a child to vigorous religious indoctrination.

In fact, i think organized religion is threatening America's long term national security and economic prosperity with its anti-science ideologies.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by austinite45

Isn't that a very religious entity? I think the OP doesn't want that.

I wouldn't recommend subjecting a child to vigorous religious indoctrination.

In fact, i think organized religion is threatening America's long term national security and economic prosperity with its anti-science ideologies.

Ha! You don't know much about Episcopal schools. They're very progressive and openminded about all forms of religion and non religion. They certainly teach evolution in science class.

[GreenPlastic]

The lower and middle schools aren't that close, but I know a few families in Eanes ISD who send their kids to St Andrews. The upper school is off SW Parkway and really not that far.

[austinite45]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Ha! You don't know much about Episcopal schools. They're very progressive and openminded about all forms of religion and non religion. They certainly teach evolution in science class.

I don't know much about individual Episcopal schools but I'd avoid sending kids to religious schools, be they Christian, Catholic, Muslim or Buddhist. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a "progressive" or "open-minded" religious school, as a matter of definition.