We are looking into re-locating to a small 2/3A size town. We would like to find some land in the country and put our kids in a "small" school. Can anybody give me info on Salado and Jarrell. Housing? Friendly people? School district (academics and athletics), young league sports?

I posted it on the Austin/San Antonio board and got some good start up info. Any additional info would greatly be appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Honeybear (edited 1/1/2010 8:59p).]

Salado is good as much as I hate to admit it.

But they have a we are better than the rest of the planet attitude.

Jarrell is improving. The NEW high school is wonderful--they hosted academic UIL for our district this year.

Teacher there said the new major HUGE subdivision between there and Georgetown is in their district. It is changing their demographics since that sub division is professional white collar, college educated for the most part.

They do anticipate moving up to three A as the area across the interstate and behind that McDonald's continues to build up and grow.

Before that it was pretty much "red neck" country kids.

Although it may be larger than you want, Hutto seems to be a good district at least from the outside.

Thank you for the info. Do you know what the name of the sub-division is? Is it in the limits of Georgetown, but Jarrell ISD?

Sonterra

I grew up in Salado. Loved every minute of it... I can also see why people would get the "were better.." impression, but still a great place to live.

real estate is expensive in Salado, and basically live in Mill Creek with only a few other alternatives. There is a high dollar subdivision between Salado and Florence- 5 acre lots, large homes. Very nice if you can afford it. $400K and up, mostly up. Salado schools are supposed to be good. They will likely be 3A next year. As for land, well, there's plenty of it around.

The Subdivision in Jarrell is indeed Sonterra. DR Horton is building it, largest home is ~2300 sq/ft. It is NOT in Georgetown. Jarrell is 2A, and ain't gonna be moving up any time soon.

http://www.drhorton.com/corp/GetCommunityNeighborhood.do;jsessionid=B121E015A91D79759996C3C466CEA4A1?dv=C1&pr=44897

These are more affordable, but you said you want to buy land and build a house. Sonterra would not fit that description. It is a residential subdivision w/ a handful of floorplans. Lots of space for the money, though.

Here's some in Jarrell that are available now.

http://www.drhorton.com/corp/GetInvHomes.do?dv=C1&pr=44897

Like I said, not real big. But, I think that builder builds some 3000+ sq ft homes. Maybe they'd build you one of those. Don't know if there are any HAO restrictions on that, though.









[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 1/3/2010 3:26p).]

Captain, do you know anything about the discipline in the Jarrell schools. Do they have a good administration who disciplines the kids. How are their athletics? That is a good small school area with Florence, Rogers, Academy, and others close by. I want to school district where my kids could get involved and do multiple things.

[This message has been edited by Honeybear (edited 1/3/2010 8:33p).]

Well, I really don't know jack about any of them. Just what I typed. I have never known Jarrell to be an athletic hotspot. In fact, I never knew Jarrell as much more than a little town on I-35 between Salado and Georgetown. As for discipline, I guess they do what schools can do. They apparently have new facilities, and more to come, as others have alluded to. So, maybe things are lookin up.

There are some teachers from local districts on this board that will have much more information than I do.

Here are some links that may help

http://www.esc13.net/jarrell/

http://www.esc13.net/jarrell/about.htm

http://www.esc13.net/jarrell/athletics.htm

Like I said, I don't know a whole lot about any of them. I would assume Jarrell is pretty typical of small town Texas school districts. Their academics are supposed to be good, and I guess their sports are good some years, and other years not. They are a growing district, much like other I-35 corridor districts.

Salado is NOT what I would consider typical small town Texas, but it may be what you want. It is touristy with lots of boutique shops, bed & breakfasts, the creek, etc. Most of the population lives in MIll Creek, which is a subdivision on a golf course. The course has been flooded a couple of times recently and some might say it has not been maintained as well as years past. Salado has a large retirement population, but also a growing school district. The people are overall pretty well off compared to other towns. Salado has VERY good sports teams, but they will probably move up in classification this year. Competition may get a little tougher. Again, the real estate is pricey.

My suggestion is hit the ground in both places & spend some time there and visit the schools. Most schools will roll out the red carpet for prospective new residents and will answer your questions.







[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 1/4/2010 8:42a).]

Remember Salado also has a brand new high school and relatively new middle school facilities.

Salado ISD >>>>>> Jarrell ISD

Without question!

And I'm not saying that just because I attended Salado. Other locals will agree that while Jarrell ISD is improving, Salado is heads & shoulders above it in academic quality.

I recently graduated from Salado. I would advise moving there before Jarrell any day.

Salado was a great school. The teachers really care about how well you do, and they are constantly trying to prepare you for college. They also teach for the SAT and I know that many of my peers, along with myself, did extremely well on the SAT because of this. Salado has also had multiple graduates go to Harvard along with other ivy league schools.

DO-NOT-LIVE-IN-JARRELL

Also, Salado's academics are FAR beyond Jarrell's. Salado win's the state UIL tournament almost every year.

The athletic department is also much better than Jarrell's. My graduating class had people play football at Westpoint, the Naval Academy, and some smaller schools. People went on to run track at Harvard, UT, and Tech. A friend of mine now plays golf for Baylor, and another plays baseball there. I could go on and on..

Overall, while going to Salado my peers and I were always taught that we could do anything we wanted if we tried hard enough. Jarrell gives off more of a "losers attitude." You know the type, "I'll just stay where I am because it's easier than trying to succeed."

hassel12 pretty much summed it up.

Jarrell = tornado magnet

I went to Wall HS and we were always runner up to Salado in the UIL Tournament. I went to a dang good school and so I figured the school that topped us every year had to be pretty salty.

That is the Salado attitude I mentioned. Fact is that Rogers placed higher at the state tourney this year than Salado.

This is a cut and paste from the UIL webpage.

CONFERENCE 2A

HOLLIDAY • 160 points
Caddo Mills • 109.5
Paris Chisum • 74
Rogers • 64
Tuscola Jim Ned • 60.5
Hebbronville • 55
Sadler S&S Consolidated • 46
Salado • 44
Wall • 43
White Oak • 39.5

Also fact it at on the last TEA ratings round, Salado HS was acceptable, Rogers was Recognized, and Jarrell was Exemplary.

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/index.html

Salado has a better AP program, made possible by their larger enrollment, but I had more of my English III students pass state exams at the college readiness level than they did, and more pass the test on the first take (100 percent).

All three high schools are good places for your kids if you want small schools, but only Salado believes they are somehow better than everyone else. That attitude is why I will celebrate when they move to 3A.

Most of the rest of the schools in our district are highly supportive of each other when it comes to academics. We understand both the strengths and limitations of our budgets and size.

They are a challenge to even be polite to at times. Especially since Dennis is gone--he was a class act that defined courtesy.





[This message has been edited by 3rd Generation Ag (edited 1/5/2010 6:03a).]

[This message has been edited by 3rd Generation Ag (edited 1/5/2010 6:07a).]

Well it didn't take long to smoke em out!

Back to the original topic, again, hit the ground and try to get a first hand experience. Look beyond the boutiques, Christmas decorations, and Country Club living. Salado is a neat little town with excellent academics and sports programs. But, IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, and not everyone wants to live there. If they did, it wouldn't be 2A. Some love it, and some may see it as closed, cliquish, and uppity.

Salado is nice, and it may very well be what you're looking for. But it ain't perfect, and no place is. AND, all the others don't suck. Take the time to really learn about the places

Excellent post 3rdGen!!!

One year of UIL?

Take a look at the last 10-15 years.

quote:

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This is a cut and paste from the UIL webpage.

CONFERENCE 2A

HOLLIDAY • 160 points
Caddo Mills • 109.5
Paris Chisum • 74
Rogers • 64
Tuscola Jim Ned • 60.5
Hebbronville • 55
Sadler S&S Consolidated • 46
Salado • 44
Wall • 43
White Oak • 39.5

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3rd Gen, where is Jarrell?

Exactly.




As I previously stated, while some people may not like the "attitude" that Salado students give off, you can not deny the fact that Salado excels far beyond almost all of the schools in the area.

But, don't take my word for it. See for yourself. Drive through Jarrell and then Salado and you will see the clear choice.

When it comes to raising a family, I urge you to stray away from Jarrell. When I was in high school, any time anyone from my school wanted to get into trouble, they went to Jarrell. You don't want your children to grow up with the sources of the problem.

Also, notice that ONE person on this entire message board is here to vouch for Jarrell, while the rest of the thread is filled with "pro-Salado" comments. That should be a hint as to which is better. If you want Jarrell alumni opinions, check a Temple Community College message board.

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Overall, while going to Salado my peers and I were always taught that we could do anything we wanted if we tried hard enough. Jarrell gives off more of a "losers attitude." You know the type, "I'll just stay where I am because it's easier than trying to succeed."

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As if the words came directly from my mouth!


All small towns are pretty close to the same. They all have rumors, stereotypes, and politics...

I went to a small school (3a/4a) in a small town and can tell you that your kids can succeed anywhere assuming you stay on them all day and all night. My disclaimer is that some towns the peer pressure to “not care” or “quit” is hard to overcome. I would send my children to the school with the higher success rate in life…not standardized testing. In short, I would send my kid to the wealthier school.

My easy choice would be Salado judging by people I have met from there.


[This message has been edited by ESP+ (edited 1/5/2010 2:48p).]

Salado sounds like a great little town.

My question is do you think that Jarrell has a lot of long term potential? They are/have built all new facilities and it sounds like there is a lot of future potential grow in the school and the in community. Being that close to Georgetown might be a big plus.

Thanks to all for the great info. Keep it coming!

[This message has been edited by Honeybear (edited 1/5/2010 9:02p).]

I do think that the entire North Austin area has potential to grow quite a bit larger. I know there is a thread in this board about the nice new grocery store they just put in Salado. The state is expanding I-35 in the Temple/Belton area so there is bound to be some growth due to that.

I think when considering your future, you need to think about what each town will grow in to. Consider what type of people will move in to each town, because those are going to be your neighbors and your children's classmates.

I think that comparing these two pages would help a TON:

Salado: http://www.city-data.com/zips/76571.html
Jarrell: http://www.city-data.com/city/Jarrell-Texas.html

In regards to being close to the Georgetown/Round Rock area: my parents own multiple businesses throughout central Texas, and they say that their commute to the business in Georgetown is the easiest one they make. It will literally be no more than a 3 minute difference to Austin from Salado in comparison to Jarrell.

If you are looking for proximity to Georgetown, Salado vs. Jarrell distance is negligible.

I admitted Salado is nice but snobby. I don't care for snobs personally.

Salado schools are no better than the ones around, because right now the highest rank in the area is Jarrell.


Best schools for top kids are the larger ones--Temple or Georgetown, but it is a given that there is more chance to do a huge variety of activities in small schools, where sharing is more accepted.

Many won't be good enough to play four or five sports in a five A school. In fact most won't be good enough.

There is BAD blood between Jarrell and Salado. My understanding from my kids is that there was even a pretty big fight between the high school guys this year.

So don't expect Salado people to ever say anything good about Jarrell.

Again, Hutto is a larger school, but offers a real small town feel.

And with the retirement of Dennis and his sister, the UIL teams have never been the same. They are trending downward--and have been ever since their top teachers and coaches stopped being the ones involved.

if nothing has changed since the early 80's the Salado girls were alot more fun than the Jarrell girls. However, Florence girls were the ....... oh never mind!

We are just looking to a smaller commnity, put the kids into school (where they can get involved in a whole lot of stuff), and possible buy some acreage in the country. Jarrell, Salado, Liberty Hill all sound like good places to start looking. Again, thanks for all the posts and info.

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real estate is expensive in Salado, and basically live in Mill Creek with only a few other alternatives

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Part 1 is true. Part 2 is not. There are TONS of options outside of Mill Creek.

And call me a snotty Salado guy, but Salado >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jarrell.

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There are TONS of options outside of Mill Creek.

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Other than 2843, where?

Yes there are rural areas to build, but what about existing subdivisions? I am not doubting you, I simply am not aware of much else

[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 1/13/2010 9:52a).]

Stuff down 2484 (Woods of Salado, Salado Springs, build your own), all the stuff off of Royal, stuff of 2268... Lots of options outside of Mill Creek.

Salado (and Salado ISD) isn't perfect by any stretch, but if you want to live in small town Cen-Tex, it would be tough to do better. The new Village Foods is very nice. AND they sell beer and wine now (ok, this is a few years old, but I'm still shocked)!!

Check out Woods of Salado. Is now very close to the new high school and not far from the elementary/middle schools. WOS is an established neighborhood with great lots.

I graduated from Salado in 02. Before I went to Salado I lived in Temple and it was a hard adjustment going to a small school. I thought most of the students were stuck up but maybe things have changed

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Best schools for top kids are the larger ones--Temple or Georgetown, but it is a given that there is more chance to do a huge variety of activities in small schools, where sharing is more accepted.

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nice belton omission.

Belton >>>>>>> Temple

I have expanded my "small town" search. We are now looking not only at Jarrell and Salado, but have also looked at Little River-Academy, Rogers, and Florence. Seems like all have a chance to be good places to transplant my family. I don't want any name calling or snobbery.....I just want people to throw out good reasons to live in these communities.