Austin, Texas is one of the most populous cities in the United States right now. This large city has great nightlife, plenty of bars and restaurants, and an overall fun atmosphere that keeps people coming back time and time again. However, with so many fun things to do in Austin, it’s easy to forget that it’s also home to some of the best schools in the entire country!
The options range from small private academies to large public school districts, and you’ll find high school graduation rates ranging from 80 percent to 98 percent, with many students going on to prestigious colleges and universities across the country. No matter what kind of elementary or secondary education you want for your children or yourself, there are great options available in the “Lone Star State”.
This guide to the 7 best schools in Austin Texas will help you figure out what makes them great options for your kids so you can decide if they’re right for your family or not.
7 Best Schools in Austin Texas (Comprehensive Lists)
1. Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA)
Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) is a selective public high school established in 2007.
The higher institution provides a wide range of courses and activities to help students discover what they love to do. The school offers numerous AP courses, and students have performed well on AP exams over the years.
LASA’s athletic program also attracts many students each year due to its prominence as one of UT’s top feeder schools. Students may participate in sports such as cross country, frisbee, golf, swimming, lacrosse, tennis and more.
The public magnet school has a small student body of only 1,254 students but has a rigorous college-prep program that prepares its students for many of America’s top universities. The small class size also allows teachers to really work one on one with their students, giving them plenty of individual attention. Students here are always encouraged to get involved and pursue extracurricular activities.
Since its time of establishment, LASA has been continuously nominated for national awards, including America’s Top High School by U.S. News & World Report.
2. Chaparral Star Academy
Chaparral Star Academy is a K-12 public charter school that has been designed to serve students who need a challenging curriculum to prepare them for high school and beyond. It was established in 1998.
The wonderful teachers make learning fun and engaging for all students with an entire student-teacher ratio of 14:1. The impressive academic program keeps kids focused on getting ahead rather than keeping up.
Chaparral Star Academy is ranked second in terms of quality on Niche, and it’s also recognized as an excellent place to study for students across Texas. In particular, it does an exceptional job of challenging students to succeed, and its educators consistently provide outstanding opportunities for their pupils. Students can either choose to attend a morning or afternoon session of school.
One downside of Chaparral academy is that there is no recess, lunch or cafeteria.
3. IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory
Montopolis College Preparatory is a public K-12 charter school founded in 2012, since its time of operation, the school have set high expectations for students and goes the extra mile to provide personalized learning, cor subjects mastery, and critical thinking skills. The teachers at Montopolis are experienced and well-trained to help students reach their full potential.
With schools ranging from pre-K to high school, IDEA is a top choice for many parents. The college preparatory program prepares students for continuing education at four-year institutions or technical/vocational programs after graduating from high school. Although a large portion of IDEA’s student population is Hispanic, other races or ethnicities are also present on campus.
There are currently 1450 students enrolled in IDEA, some of which are with disabilities of a kind. This is why there is a special disabilities program that involves personalized teaching methods and enables children to socialize with other kids without having to worry about their disability.
Montopolis College Preparatory is a wonderful school that caters to students with special needs.
Sports are also big at IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory. The students participate competitively and passionately, at a level that has gotten them national attention.
And IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory boasts a range of other extracurricular activities. Available sports include cross country, flag football, football, volleyball, and basketball.
4. Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
If you’re looking for an all-girls, private high school with a global focus, Ann Richards is the right choice for you. Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is an all-girls preparatory public high school that serves students from grade 6 to grade 12. The school was established in 2007, thanks to Ann Richards the 45th Governor of Texas who took part in making the school possible.
In addition to exemplary teaching and curriculum, ARS focuses on girls’ leadership development and supports a number of programs to ensure its students are college and career ready. It also maintains high rates of proficiency for both math and reading as it offers a challenging academic curriculum in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects with AP (Advanced Placement) or Pre-AP courses.
Students will learn important career skills such as team building, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, communication skills and flexibility. Students also excel at athletics here, with many earning spots on regional and state teams for both volleyball and cross country races.
5. Vandegrift High School
Vandegrift High School is a public institution established in 2009 and serves students from grades 9 to 12. The school was named in honour of Mathew Ryan Vandegrift, a United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant.
VHS has dual credit in collaboration with colleges which allows junior and senior students to earn college credit while still actively studying in high school.
Many academic courses including AP (Advanced Placement) as well as IB (International Baccalaureate) programs that offer students access to a rigorous, broad, and balanced range of academic studies.
The international baccalaureate will not only teach academic programs but also make sure students develop strong social and emotional characteristics that will make them excel more than their mates.
Students at Vandegrift High School are also given the opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities of student organizations or student-led clubs and sports such as baseball, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, softball, swimming, football, golf, and basketball.
6. Round Rock High School
Established in 1867, Round Rock High School is the oldest high school in the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) and also the largest high school by the number of students enrolled in the Lone star area.
RRHS offer students the opportunity to also take Advanced Placement coursework and offers other programs in areas like public services, health sciences, STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), visual & performing arts, and business & industry.
Some Round Rock High School alumni are:
- Mason Lane Thompson, Major League Baseball relief pitcher
- James Husker Lynch, National Football League defensive tackle
- John Allen Henson, National Basketball Association centre
- Brian Ernest Gordon, Major League Baseball starting pitcher and outfielder
- Jeffrey S. Boyd, Texas Supreme Court associate justice
7. Cedar Park High School (CPHS)
Cedar Park High School is a high school established in 1998 as the second high school in the Leander Independent School District. They have amazing teachers who teach with patience and virtue as well as using modern teaching methods and practices.
Students are always encouraged and supported to create a positive connection while simultaneously fostering individual growth.
Extracurricular activities and sports are also a big thing at CPHS, each student gets to participate in their favourite sports such as Basketball, Baseball, Track, Softball, Football, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming, Wrestling, Sports medicine, Golf, Cross country, and many more.
Conclusion
There are many schools to consider when moving to Austin, Texas. Whether you’re looking for a lower, middle, or high school/college, there are many options.
These rankings of the best high school in Austin Texas is just making it easier for you to choose prospective ones. If you would like to find out more information about these local schools, visit some campuses, and talk to friends and neighbours who might be able to share insights with you.
The most important question to ask yourself is, What are your kid’s educational goals and do they align with your school of choice’s educational objectives? If so, such a school might be the right one for them.
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