Tips on Relocating to Austin ~ Part Six

Before making a decision on what part of Austin you'd like to live in, it’s important to research school districts for your child.  For some, selecting the right school district is the most important criteria in determining the community.

Part 6: Making an Educated Choice and Stress-free Enrollment

There are steps to selecting the right school for your child.  Austin MetroGuide has published these 4 steps along with what you’ll need for a stress-free enrollment

1.      Make a Wish List
It’s important to be clear on what your child needs from a school before beginning a search.  Is your child gifted in math or science?  Consider a magnet program or schools that offer advanced mathematics and science programs.  Does your child have a passion for the arts?  Consider a performing arts academy or a school with a strong arts program.  Does your child have special needs? Consider a school with a strong Special Education dept. and small teacher-student ratio.  Also consider your family needs.  If you require child care beyond the school day, look at campuses that offer an after-school program or are located close to quality day care centers.  What are the transportation options in your new neighborhood and how far would you be willing to travel to school?  Other factors to consider when making your list could include location, after-school programs, extracurricular offerings, average class size and type of school (private, public, charter or religious).  After you have compiled your list decide with your family items are imperative and which are secondary. This will be helpful in narrowing down the wide variety of educational options.

2.      Check the Web
The internet is a great resource for researching schools especially now that you have a list of must-haves. There is a website that gives each school a rating based on standardized test scores, average class size and teacher experience compared to the state average:

http://www.austinmetroguide.com/schools.  

Here are links to a few individual NW Austin school district websites:

Round Rock ISD:  http://www.roundrockisd.org                                                      Leander ISD:  http://www.leanderisd.org                                                                 Austin ISD:  http://www.austinisd.org

3.      Call Ahead
After you’ve made your wish list and narrowed your search on the web, you most likely have a list of 5-10 schools.  Start calling the individual campuses and ask to speak with a grade-level counselor or principal.  You can tell a lot about the welcoming culture of a campus in the first 10 seconds of the phone call.  Be sure to have your wish list handy when you are speaking with faculty or staff.  Remember to ask when would be the best time to visit the campus in person and if it would be possible to sit in on a class.

4.      Visit the Campus
Your Realtor® should be able to provide you with a list of campuses in the area. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a campus visit is worth 1,000 websites. Visiting a school in person is an invaluable way to determine the best school for your family.  Don’t be shy – ask for a tour, ask to see a classroom on a typical school day, ask to drop by the cafeteria at lunch. Notice if there is adequate supervision in the hallways and in the lunchroom.  Observe how adults handle misbehavior and take note of the number of positive and negative interactions between adults and students. Once you have found the perfect school for your child, remember to ask how you can be involved on campus through volunteering or PTA.

How to have a Stress-Free Enrollment:

Be clear on the paperwork required to enroll your child at his/her new school. The following information is for new students to Round Rock ISD, other districts may have different paperwork requirements.  Please check the district websites or call ahead.

All Students new to Round Rock ISD should provide the following information at the time of registration:

1.      Birth certificate
2.      Immunizations record (immunization requirements)
3.      Proof of residence in the school district

 - Lease agreement, if renting

 - contract of sale or a tax statement, if purchasing

 - current utility bill indicating the address and the adult’s name

4.    Last report card or withdrawal form from previous school district
5.    Social Security number

I offer years of experience helping families relocate to the NW Austin area. If you haven’t chosen a Realtor®, I would love the opportunity to earn your business and exceed  your expectations.
 
Previous Tips:

Part 5: Title Insurance
Part 4: Homestead Exemption
Part 3: Community Property
Part 2: Home Warranty
Part 1: Moving Checklist

I offer years of experience helping families relocate to the NW Austin area. If you haven’t chosen a Realtor®, I would love the opportunity to earn your business and exceed your expectations.


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