This study examined if "old-and-small" neighborhood schools have stronger physical and social ties with the surrounding communities than "new-and-large" suburban schools regarding children's physical activity.  Researchers utilized data collected by a previously funded ALR project, The "Why's" and "Why Not's" of Active Living: Barriers and Motivators among High Risk Children.  Building on this larger project that focused on barriers and motivators of walking behaviors of elementary school students, this study made additional contributions to the research by assessing (a) physical and perceptual school-community relations, (b) level of parental social capital and (c) advanced spatial analysis.  The focus of the study was children and parents from 14 elementary schools in Austin Independent School District in Austin, TX.  Findings provided policy guidelines for siting and designing elementary schools that respect the larger community context.  It also aimed help decision-making processes in school attendance boundary delineation that seek to maximize walking potential for school children.  In addition, the project can highlight the role of joint-use programs at school and park facilities on children's recreation and physical activity.