2024 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Austin Area

• Austin Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  512 reviews

Junior: LASA is an overall good school and has outstanding academics along with an amazing councilor team and is rated among the best for college readiness. While I think the school provides many good opportunities through AISD and their personal attributes like the library and office administration, due to it being an incredibly competitive school, the students are typically rude and create a hostile environment. Not a day goes by at LASA that you don't have at least 20 conversations a day regarding grades, colleges, or internships. Upon entering, it's nice because you are surrounded by people who want to pursue their career, but after time you see the manipulative ways in which they do so, and the amount of fake aspirations, and people who have no other life purpose than getting it job, and it is exhausting. Being at LASA is depressing, and almost everyone has academic stress. The amount of stress and anxiety that is filled within the campus makes it not worth it to me.... Read 512 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,309

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  524 reviews

Alum: I would give this school 4.5 stars, but I'm going to lower it by one point. This school was incredible at preparation. College was easier than many of the classes and workload I was given at Westlake. That being said, if you want to do a variety of activities, you will be out of luck. Westlake is excellent for kids with a focus. If you want to be a track star, choir kid, theatre kid, band kid, you can definitely find and explore your niche to the highest potential! That being said, if you are looking for a school where you can do everything, that is not possible here. I did AP classes and just theatre by the end. I was pursuing musical theatre, and that really wasn't available to me. I would have had to only do choir, and their theatre training really isn't there. They are music focused, and, when I went there, have a very Christian focused program. The school is difficult, very stressful, but does prepare. There is an expectation that you will be a successful college grad.... Read 524 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,823

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  674 reviews

Senior: In the four (three in-person) years that I have attended Westwood High School, I feel that I received a cream-of-the-crop education. Westwood is fairly well-known in the district for having a highly competitive student body, a rigorous curriculum (across all classes), and the college-ready students they produce come graduation, and I feel I wholly embody those things. That's not to say it was without its struggles, but you can't succeed without challenging yourself. For me, my challenges came in the form of a select few teachers who did not come to class with a smile every day, those who weren't too expressive about believing in their students. Often I found that teacher morale was low, and sometimes that translated into a harder time for the students.... Read 674 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,781

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  479 reviews

Senior: I love everything about Vandegrift Highschool and here are some of the reasons why! The school offers a wide range of courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes, dual enrollment opportunities, and specialized programs such as the STEM Academy and the Viper Band. The school's faculty is highly trained, and they have always helped me in achieving my goals. The school offers a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, and many others. The Vipers have won numerous district and state championships in a variety of sports, and the school's athletes are known for their skill and dedication. The school offers a wide range of clubs and organizations, including student government, academic clubs, service clubs, cultural organizations, and many others. These activities provide me with opportunities to develop leadership skills, make new friends, and pursue my interests outside of the classroom.... Read 479 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,723

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 504

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade A+

• Students 549

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: Great school! The sports programs are perfect for athletic children! There are many clubs and after school activities offered! WRMS provides lots of opportunities for students to advance to higher classes. In fact, it’s more than likely a student will be in a pre-ap class than grade level class. Also, lockers are provided to every student! It’s a great learning environment for all students! The band, orchestra, and choir programs are very well run and the students easily master their voice/instrument in only a few months due to the amazing teachers and many resources provided!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 896

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: This school is amazing! It literally changed my life! Before I came here in 3rd grade I had absolutely no interest in reading or math. However, after experiencing classes with their kind teachers and engaging classes I was reading in my down time and actually enjoying math (that’s very uncommon for a 9 year old!)! The classes and resources provided are perfect for all students! While the living costs are quite high in this area, it’s completely worth it if your kids go to this school!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 560

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 527

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 584

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  804 reviews

Senior: Round Rock High School was definitely not a bad school. Compared to many other schools I am very fortunate to have been able to attend there. While some teachers often did not care about their jobs or seemed to care about their students, many did. Those who did really made a difference. Walking into a class knowing your teacher cares about your future and education is a really refreshing feeling. The students at Round Rock High School were overall good people. I never saw or heard of any real "bullys", nothing more than people being average high school teenagers. Overall Round Rock Highschool was a great place to get my education and I'm happy I was able to attend there!... Read 804 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,721

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: It’s pretty cool. I feel that the diversity is lacking. Most of the teachers are good. It could be a miss, if the teachers are a coach though.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,010

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Austin Independent School District, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  139 reviews

Alum: I liked that The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is an all girls public school, allowing the opportunity for low income diverse students to experience a high education 6-12 community. The school is very tight knit and welcoming and prepares the students for college as well as open doors to new experiences such how to lead a healthy and well balanced life style,enagegment in STEM classes, weekly yoga and mindfullness. All around very balanced and challenging school for young women to grow and be a part of, especially those first generation students that majority attends the school. Great teachers, students and staff.... Read 139 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 895

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Dripping Springs Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade A+

• Students 723

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 882

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Dripping Springs Independent School District, TX•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 1,022

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lake Travis Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  454 reviews

Junior: The experience overall has been pretty good. Within the school I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting people as well as be presented with many great opportunities. I would the say the best parts of my experience so far would be the friends I’ve made as well as the teacher interactions I’ve had. Due to the good relationship I have with my teachers, they’ve recommended me for various opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to achieve without them. The worst experience I’ve had would most likely be some of the people interactions I’ve had. Some people at school can make you feel very small and insignificant. Something I would like to see change would be the diversity. I feel like out school can do more to celebrate all the different cultures presented at our school.... Read 454 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,666

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Freshman: Amazing school, the cheer squad was great last year I was in 8th grade, unfortunately, there I a slight clique problem but nothing big. I am A kid who is annoying and I have never been to a school more accepting and kind. The principal is very nice, I wish everywhere I went , the world was like here. The teachers are outstanding! Mrs Jeffreys was probably my favorite. She is very funny and all the teachers are understanding and they all care deeply about you. It was absurd to hear of kids doing drugs or smoking, sadly I moved out of the district, when I got to high school everything was different. The cheer program was also an amazing experience. Middle school is hard, and was something I hated until I went here. Another amazing thing was the cafeteria, they had a snack room, It has cookies, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, dipping dots, slushees, pretzel machine, etc. It was the best school I had ever been in, if you want a good school go here. Best school ever!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,446

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 564

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 535

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  574 reviews

Senior: I used to go to Round Rock high school and I was there for my freshman and sophomore year. After attending cedar park high school my junior year I can confidently say the school is great.! I am a part of the color guard and as a member I have found that cedar parks band has way less drama than Round Rock’s. Other than that Cedar Park has a lot of college credit opportunities, AP course options, and dual credit course options. From my experience kids are very friendly and there isn’t a bullying issue at the school. The school is great and creates well rounded students who are well prepared for their futures.... Read 574 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,007

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 356

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  627 reviews

Junior: I love the school personally. It has really gotten me to think about where the future may lead, what to do with my life and what opportunities would really support me. The teachers are just as supportive as the APs and its a really safe environment. I loved it when Professional Communications/MAPs was a required course because the resources needed to succeed were mainly in that class and its a bit annoying for us Juniors and Seniors to have to reshow them how to access these things if they weren't paying attention at a seminar. Other than that its amazing!... Read 627 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,597

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: CRMS is full of caring teachers. Generally speaking, the school does things in a similar way as other schools in upper middle class districts. I don't see a ton of innovation or out-of-the-box thinking, but academically the kids do well. If your kid is into band or sports, there's a vibrant community for them. You don't hear as much about the other activities because, let's face it, Texas cares about sports the most. But there are other things like art, theater, journalism, etc. The main downside I see is that there is very little diversity (economic, religious or racial). And too many entitled kids and families. Overall I'm satisfied, but not blown away.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,164

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Excellent teachers , and we love much they get involved with students. My kids love this school , they are active in sports and at the same time academically doing really well... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 576

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1