Camp Mabry

Gullett's outdoor space is one of its biggest strengths. As a school park shared with Parks and Rec, it has a real community feel, well-used and clearly loved by the neighborhood, not just by families at the school. Kids spend genuine time outside gardening among mature trees and garden beds, rather than being stuck on the shadeless concrete lots so many campuses have. The historic building only adds to the character; while newer schools often feel like sealed-off office fortresses, Gullett feels woven into the community around it. The teachers match that spirit too: patient, caring, and just as focused on kids' social-emotional growth as on academics.

We are super fans of Highland Park. We’ve been here since 2020 and couldn’t have landed in a better spot for our kids. The principal, Katie Peña, is one of the most impressive humans I’ve ever met, let alone a remarkable principal. It’s a fabulous public school with an incredible spirit. Teachers stay for the entirety of their careers, many of them are former HP students themselves, and that’s the sign of a warm and nurturing environment if I’ve ever seen one. I hope this school is here for many more generations of public-school Austinites to come.