5902 Upvalley Run
Austin, TX 78731

While the principal is competent and highly responsive, there is a culture of toxic positivity from the top that trickles down to almost everyone. If you question how things are done or why, you are often passive aggressively shamed or gaslighted. Some teachers are stellar, others are average, and some are pretty terrible. Your experience each year largely depends on the teacher you are assigned to. The school is very old and AISD chose not to include it in the 2022 bond due to "equity" (after Doss and Casis were already redone with previous bond money). Due to the age, the community spaces are too small, there are rodents present, and the safety is questionable at best. There is a ton of parent support via both time and money, and that allows the school to offer opportunities and resources that would otherwise not be available at an AISD school.

My son attended Lamar for two years. He was physically attacked multiple times. EMS was called once. There were at least four different principals during that time. He was threatened by a gang. He was fearful and refused to return. We removed him mid year.On the plus side, his math teacher recognized and promoted his talent.

My first son graduated from McCallum in 2022. While there are some challenges at McCallum, it is a good school that offers students a range of different opportunities. Our son enjoyed the business courses. He also took advantage of many different opportunities for advanced learning, including AP and community college classes. My second son is currently a 10th grader at McCallum. He has enjoyed French and engineering, in addition to core classes. My younger children look forward to the theater and dance programs at McCallum, which are among the best in the state.