Anderson High School

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2024

I graduated recently from the IB Diploma program. I found that anderson high school offered a great balance of challenging academics and support for students. In particular, I found the math and history departments amazing. I struggled with math at the beginning of high school, failing quizzes and tests frequently, but through the support of the teachers and their encouragement, I made it up to Calc BC with an A+ in the class and got a 5 on the AP test. In addition to that, the IB history department was so great and really prepared their students well for college and for the IB exams. I was a lazy student when it came to studying for my IB exams at the end of senior year, but because of the structure of the history curriculum and the challenging nature of the class, I got a 7 without much self-driven studying. Not that I encourage not studying, but the class itself was so interesting and valuable that the review materials that were offered by the class were sufficient studying for me.

I also think the club and athletic scene at Anderson is really great. I encourage all students to get involved with a sport or meaningful extracurricular to really get the Anderson experience. I now attend a "public ivy" university and feel like Anderson prepared me really well for my classes and helped me learn a lot about myself and what I want to do. I will say that I don't know what it's like to not be an AP/IB student at Anderson, but from my experience the AP/IB classes were great and the teachers were really passionate and supportive.

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2024

Posted: January 26, 2023

Posted: January 26, 2023

Communication with this, and just AISD in general, is awful. Everyone tells you a different thing, and to get calls back takes forever. There is just no follow through. It must be bad leadership from the top because it’s across the board. This district has lots of money, so hire more staff, or improve your work culture to retain more employees because your services to students and parents is not good.

Posted: January 26, 2023

Posted: January 26, 2023

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Posted: November 26, 2021

Repeated antisemitic events without any responses from the school

Posted: November 26, 2021

Posted: November 26, 2021

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Posted: June 17, 2021

SO BLEEPING HOT MAN CALL A AC MAN, YALL BOZO. FEELS LIKE A BLEEP PRISON.

Posted: June 17, 2021

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Posted: May 1, 2021

My kid had been in private school from pre-K to middle school. Coming to Anderson High School was a life changing for her. Very diversified. She was in the IB diploma program. That was challenging enough for her. She was well prepared for college especially in writing. She gained more confidence in herself and had a lots of friends who had the same interest as hers, which is hard to have in private schools. Most of her teachers, counselors and staff were super helpful and friendly. Can not ask for a better school.
She and her group of close friends were all accepted to very good colleges. My kid got accepted to an Ivy League school.
Her first year in college is almost over and she has done very well so far. She credited Anderson high school for its college preparatory program.

Posted: December 17, 2020

Our child is now a senior.

After moving to Austin from the East Coast, we toured and spoke to representatives at 4 high schools in the area. We landed on Anderson for its diverse student body and IB program. Our child is graduating and we have nothing but good things to say about the school.

It hasn't always been a breeze. Our child has met academic and social challenges along the way. Unpleasant ones. But the school has always been incredibly supportive - from counselors to teachers to vice principals to learning coordinators. Yes, there have been a few undesireable teachers. These kinds, however, were few and far between in my child's overall 4-year experience.

Even though we steered our child towards the IB program, we weren't sure they were going to pass muster with their grades and be permitted to partipate. Anderson worked with us to make it happen and our child exceled. Both the academic rigor and engaging teachers made our child into an interested and interesting student! They are now a critical and curious learner. Whew.

We would be remiss to also not point out the fantastic support from Anderson's college and career advisor. She was amazing. This is our second go-around with "the next step" and she offered top-notch advice - in touch with our child through the journey.

Posted: December 17, 2020

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Posted: November 16, 2020

I think there should be less homework and more time for other things in general. Not just at Anderson.

Posted: November 16, 2020

My teen has made it 2.5 years with all good teachers.

Posted: November 16, 2020

Posted: November 16, 2020

Sammy Harris leads the way in communication. It is far superior to other high schools in the area. I always know what is going on. Her “everything is fine” texts when there’s a fire drill are very comforting.

Posted: November 16, 2020

Posted: November 16, 2020

Posted: November 16, 2020

We’ve had a great experience at Anderson. It is a big school with lots of opportunities. It’s a great mix of kids and mirrors “real world” demographics, which I appreciate. I love that my STEM child felt both challenged and encouraged.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Coming to this school from one of the top schools in Dallas I thought I would be fine, because my research said that this was a top performing school in Austin. Little did I know that the school doesn't assign homework, which is fine (except in math), yet kids always complained. The school rarely assigned reading assignments, yet kids always complained. The workload was less than what I had in sixth grade and I was being taught basic grammar and vocab in an AP class. I was underwhelmed with the education and ended up leaving my sophomore year.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Kids were always complaining about homework, but there was rarely any and when there was it was less than two hours in total.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

This school was the worst experience for me because of bullying, taunting, and an overall lack of compassion and caring about others. People here were self-centered.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Kids have a negative outlook on life and the school.

Posted: September 18, 2018

You, as the parent, are the leader for your child. Every response you will get from this school is a copy paste that AISD recommends. You are best served going in and formally handing documents of issues to the principal, and if it gets that bad you just go up the chain of command at AISD. Do not get lazy or complacent. Unless your student is in the top 20% they are not here to serve you or your child and the later you realize that the more you will understand what time your child lost in their education. This will cost you, and most importantly your child.

Posted: September 18, 2018

Get an advocate. Most the staff isn't taught to teach those with disabilities and it's more than likely if your child has one (or more) they are being underserved and you have no idea. Do you believe your child has a disability and the school isn't offering to help figure that out? Get an advocate and request that your child be tested, then placed in the appropriate setting. Not doing so is risking your child doesn't graduate or fails year after year, meaning your child will most likely just drop out.

Posted: September 18, 2018

Taunting based on skin color, not bullying. Slurs on an everyday average, not bullying. Calling someone the "f" word every day (staff will say it's a common problem/joke), not bullying. Kids calling each other "fatty" at lunch, not bullying. Really, there's no such thing as bullying at this school. However, if you think your child is being bullied and nothing is being done about, BE PROACTIVE and go into the school and fill out a Level One Bullying complaint. Do not email, do not talk with teachers, do not talk with the parents of the other child. Paper trail, it's what you want.

Posted: September 18, 2018

Teachers heavily depend on the BLEND system which recently had a revamp and some of the UI is still being worked out. As a parent, it's unmanageable for me to find the items due and what things are due (paperwork vs bookwork). Teachers would be better served being old school for the visual learners (and students with disabilities and/or not computer savvy) and write on the white board. I think some teachers find that too hard.

Posted: September 18, 2018

I believe most teachers are not here to teach. Some first year teachers over work the student and under score, which is totally defeating. Some under teach and over score which doesn't serve the student. The staff itself is rude to parents, other staff (I witnessed the attendance lady mid-argument one day and rolling her eyes at other staff0 and students. This school has the overall feel, not just the physical look, of a prison than a learning center responsible for molding young adults.

Posted: September 18, 2018

Again, the top 20% at the school will get their egos, self esteem and grades massaged by staff and teachers. Another 70% will feel defeated, dumb, and probably hate going to this school other than a few choice people they meet. The last 10% are being prepared for the prison system -- that's how it goes at Anderson. It's harsh, but it's a reality. As a parent you need to be aware of that.

Posted: September 18, 2018

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't ever picked this school. As a parent, do your research with the 70% of children that get left behind here. It would serve you best to speak/find those in the bottom 10% so that you see what suffering they have and will continue to go through.

Posted: May 25, 2017

I have a freshman and this year has been horrendous. My student has gotten involved with drugs, has been skipping class on a daily basis, has been bullied, and tells me that a grand majority of students do drugs. The sad part is that I had been in communication with the counselor for months and had described his behavior, falling grades, excessive tiredness, lack of motivation, and in no moment he suggested that these symptoms may be associated with drug use. I had no idea that drug use on campus is so high. Apparently the school has services for children at risk, however these services were never offered to us. I am looking at alternatives for my student for next school year.

Posted: May 25, 2017

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Posted: February 4, 2014

Real mixed bag of ratings here. Unfortunately most people that post things are those with an axe to grind. Anderson is one of the best schools in town. Are there better? For some kids, absolutely. For some parents, absolutely. It's as diverse as the neighborhoods that feed it, like any other school. The teachers, like parents, are people with strengths and weaknesses, good days and bad days and personality conflicts. They're not going to like everyone and not everyone is going to like you or your kid. Welcome to the real world. But there is real dedication all over the campus in the staff, the kids, the teachers and the parents and that's part of what makes Anderson a great place. It is what you as a student and a parent make of it. I'd also put it up against any verticals in town - it's hands down part of the best. People buy into the neighborhoods that feed Anderson and Murchison for very legitimate reasons.

Posted: January 30, 2013

As a professional collaborating with faculty and staff at Anderson High School, I am repeatedly shocked by the level of disorganization and poor building security. Meetings are poorly planned, staff are unprepared, and follow through is lacking in the special education/504 areas and with discipline issues. Students are free to roam the building and grounds during classes and visitors can freely walk through the halls without identifying themselves or checking in. Staff have difficulty locating students when needed. I feel it is an unsafe and disorganized environment. Test scores are only one aspect of a school's success.

Posted: January 22, 2013

Considering that this is supposed to be one of the best schools in AISD, it indeed does have great teachers, and a very laid back environment compared to other more suburban schools. There are plenty of clubs to join, however if your child wants to be involved in athletics, the programs are generally weak. The biggest problem has to do with the administration, and how social life can be towards your student. It is very hard to make friends at this school, and most kids as well as parents have an oddly stuck up demeanor. If you are looking for a good high school, I would suggest you pass on this one. There are many excellent choices such as Westwood or even McNeil which have good academics as well as a nicer facility, which to some matters. To most students, this school has a sink or swim policy; your student will either thrive, or hate it. Personally I suggest that you avoid this school, and either send your kids to private school, or move to a better school district such as Leander ISD or Round Rock ISD.

Posted: May 24, 2012

I have two kids at Anderson. Both are in pre-AP, AP or IB classes. For them I think the academics are good. I feel they will be prepared for college. (I've heard that the regular academic classes are disappointing.) There are certainly many outstanding teachers but also some that have been sub-par. As a whole pretty good. For the brighter kids there is a lot of pressure to excel. It's a big school but I think there is a place for everyone. You need to seek out social opportunities through the various clubs and activities. Lots of people have commented that the school has cliques. All schools do. If you have your heart set on fitting in with the Belles or being the star football player you will probably be unhappy at Anderson. If you are just looking for a nice social group to fit in, not necessarily the most popular, you can find it here. I know many kids who came to Anderson from private schools and are thriving. It's what you make of it. Lots of opportunity for parents and kids to get involved and volunteer. A really nice community of parent volunteers.

Posted: May 23, 2012

A GREAT school. I don't agree. Student lunches that are at 12:16 or 1:54 (or both, alternating days), double blocking football, band, and dance. The principal caters to the booster clubs, so the money continues to flow. (Principal's husband is HR director at AISD, so the teachers really have to be careful) My sons' educational experiences vary. Pre-AP/ AP classes are good; regular classes, fair. This school caters to the top 10% and the lower 10% and the 80% in the middle, its a coin toss. Some do well, others get lost. Not too sure of the role of the vice principals; know the one assigned to 504 actually said that the school is not responsible for " getting the best out of the students". (We transferred that son to a private school, where he excelled). The counseling staff is improving. We have another son starting here in the Fall and we'll see if his needs are met; otherwise we'll find the "best fit" for him. I'd love to see an administration change during our time at the school.

Posted: March 6, 2012

Academically, this school offers much to Austin students. For those who want a challenging environment to prepare for college, this is a good school. However, administration is significantly lacking. Administration starting with the principal are very beauracratic, poor listners and take the path that is easiest for them, not the students. I have first hand knowledge of the principal lying - manipulating situations to suite her needs often for the sake of expediancy. The teachers are great - just don't hope you need anything from the adminstration..