Lamar Middle School

I wish I had started my daughter at Highland Park. Brentwood is a mega school with and principal that is out of touch with the school and does not engage with parents or students. There is not a strong sense of community and the administration is quite rude. Especially the front office workers, with the exception of Neff. The other two basically scowl at you.

Gullett is such a sweet school. The family involvement is great and everybody tries to take care of each other. The teachers have been great so far. Every classroom has a garden which is so fun and educational. Academics seem high, and I really like the principal, you can tell she really cares about the school absolutely the kids.

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.

In the past three years under the leadership of Principal Leyla Olano this school has flourished. It has been a gem of a school in north central Austin! Principal Olano recruiited some great teachers, including a number from Spain and Latin America for the Spanish language program and Chinese teachers from both Taiwan and mainland China for the Chinese language program. Discipline is firm but fair and always with a loving attitude, ensuring a safe learning environment. The facility is admittedly older (1953) but the small size of the student body ensures individual attention -- everyone knows everyone and helps out. Fantastic PTA support and lots of community activities! I don't know what the 2026-2027 school year might bring with all the changes in Austin ISD, but these past few years have seen incredible improvements and a stable staff.

We're in our 5th year at Ace. The experience is like no other in Central Texas. Our kiddo has been supported in being the bright, sweet, insightful child they are without ever having to have had the experience of a school "failing to meet needs". While there are amazing supports for 2e learners, 1e learners, like ours really need Ace to make friends with like-minded peers. Imagine a loud, fun recess with deep conversations about any topic imaginable. Kids benefit from the SEL - they can work at their level (including RADICAL academic acceleration) while making '6/7' jokes with other kids their own age. No need to grade skip. Come for the academics, stay for the love, friendship and connections.As a parent, I don't worry. Kids get what they need because the teachers here care, are experts in teaching these kids, and WANT to be there. No need to worry about making sure kids are challenged appropriately or isolated socially. The formative yeras matter - kids need to belong in school and Ace does that. In short, if yoy want a school that meets kids where they are and let's them be kids - come check out an info session.