Star Charter School in Austin, Texas

“Star is great for challenging yourself. If you know you need harder classes, or just want to try to better your education then Star is the place for you.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Star is an educational gem, which allows teachers to teach the students instead of just drilling them with TAKS test items. The faculty is happy, which is a great sign of 'strong bones'. The administration, captained by a wonderful Texas dynamo, has injected integrity and professionalism into a wonderful learning community that lacked strong leadership in the past. The campus, which will soon be moving to a new building, promotes a small, close-knit community of learners. The students are respectful and hard-working. Teachers are kind, supportive, and determined to see their students succeed. The only downside is that the current campus is 'less than desirable'. However, the principal demands a secure setting for the students, leaving me confident that my children are in good hands. A brand-new school building is in the works and should open by next fall. Star's TEA 'Exemplary' rating speaks for itself.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have mixed emotions on Star. My child has been going there for many years, I'm concerned about some of the highschool teachers. Mrs. Hall is new, and my daughter loved her, she did a great job teaching algebra. My child did very well on the TAKS test thanks to her help and wonderful teaching skills! Dr. Domel is another good teacher who has been a big blessing to us! I'm concerned about some of the other teachers temperments. I don't know if I'm going to leave my child in this year or not. We'll just have to see!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“When it's only a few weeks to summer break and the kids start complaining that they don't want school to end, you know you have them at the right place! The principal is serious about keeping Star shining bright. The teachers are upbeat and inspiring. The student body consists of the best groups of kids I've ever seen. And, the new school building is due to open in October. I couldn't be more pleased!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has been such a blessing to our family. Our son, while getting burned out in a public school, now embraces learning. The educators are top-notch. The Principal is professional and taking the school to a higher level. I find some of the negative views interesting....example-the classrooms are capped at 15 kids per class. That can not change when we move to a new building. It's part of our charter!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My husband and I could not be happier with the school, the teachers, the administration, or the excellent education our boys are receiving. Our kids have been there for 4 years and they are learning and loving it. The teachers all care about their students, current and past, and are always willing to help them. The change in administration has been wonderful. Changes have been made that were necessary, and sometimes it takes stepping back and looking at the whole picture to fullu understand and appreciate why the changes were made. The new school is a wonderful facility that can provide more opportunities for students as well as for parents who may wish to volunteer. The larger school does not change the teacher/student ratio, there will still only be a maximum of fifteen students per class. Star has been a blessing to our family.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The new leadership is providing what Star Charter has needed for years...Leadership. There have been parents and faculty that have fallen under the false assumption that they are at a private school that they run. In many cases in recent years that has been sadly true. That chaff is being blown to wind. The new building will be a blessing and a magnet to draw students and educators to this excellent program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The school's principal is not providing the leadership that is needed. Teachers are ruling the school. Some teaches are good, but others do whatever they want and are not good role models for the students. The principal is not responsive to parents's concerns.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Very disappointed in this school. The principal could care less about the safety of the children. There are a few great teachers and a few terrible teachers. I would rather homeschool my kids then have them attend this school. It's dirty and nothing what I expected.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star is going down hill fast. The new principal is changing the schools mission. Also they are planning to open into a new, much larger building and start taking in a lot more students next year. This is going to be our last year at this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star is an outstanding school with staff and teachers that care about the children. The new principal has come under a lot of fire because she has made decisions that have been needed for a long time. For example, parents expressed safety as a #1 priority and then some were hostile towards the administration when new safety practices were put into place because it forced them to make an effort to socialize with their friends. Star is a high achieving academic school that is designed to prepare their students for a successful future. As Star grows, it will change, but one thing will always remain the same - high standards will be taught to and held with the utmost regard!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My experience has been that the new principal is nice until you go to her with issues or concerns, and she seemingly does not do what is in the best interest of the students or families. I no longer believe my children are safe at Star Charter.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Dr. Rue Domel is a shining example of what a great educator should be. Her experience as a classroom educator, administrator, parent, and student must be the reason she is able to reach and teach every student who crosses her path. Every student - regardless of academic ability - every student. My daughter and son have her personal cellular phone number so that they can phone her anytime they encounter difficulties in math or science. My daughter phoned her just last night. They spend 30 minutes on the phone -geometry!! Would your daughter's teacher do that? She sets and expects a high level of achievement for her students and herself. Incredible woman.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I was one the original 5 students that started this school in 1995 when I was in fifth grade. I graduated from here in May of 2004 and I can honestly say that if it had not been for this school, I probably never would have made the honor roll my senior year. Students are treated with respect and given every opportunity to excel in whatever they set their minds to. Dr. Domel was ready and willing to help you with any problems, whether you were in her classes or not. Ms Green (now Mrs. Bennet) was always finding new ways to engage students and make sure that we were responsible. Ms. Hamid (now Mrs. Greenwell) was an inspiring teacher somehow finding ways to make the most boring subjects interesting. Mr. Barnetts passion for math made class easy, even for the math challenged like me.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Mixed bag with teachers this year - one of my students has a great teacher and the other one has a poor teacher. Small class size is nice.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school. Your child will enjoy students who actually want to go to school. Entry is limited.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school ! Excellent teachers and staff. My children have learned so much and they just do it in half a day! The school has two sessions,8am-11:45,and 12pm -4pm. This can be challenging for some working parents maybe,but the children seem to thrive on the shorter schoolday. The school does not accept any problem children,which makes it easier for the teacher to actually teach and not just babysit and discipline. The academics are the main focus ,but I hope they extend the hours to include some extracurricular activities also.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, great environment, concerned teachers! Not enough extracurricular activites, but they are always growing!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school. Great environment. Definitely my choice.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is one of the worst schools our child has had to experience in his year as a junior. We a very dissapointed with the curriculum, the teachers a rude. Their is really a need for all parents to be on high alert against this school.If you value your childs education do not put him or her in this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I entered my daughter in Star in Sept. of this yr. We had just moved here from OK. and between her age and the move she was having a horrible time. I am more then grateful to the staff at the star school. Especially the teachers that my daughter has. I can't tell you how much they have done not only to her self esteem... But how her grades have improved. The most important thing I find also is that they except each student for who they are, not for how they dress, look. There seems to be no judgement on the students. My daughter actually loves to go to school, where before its always been a fight. I am so grateful to this school. My thanks to each and every one of the teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has been great for our family! My son had to be removed from a RRISD middle school due to excessive bullying, halfway thru 6th grade. Star was great about mainstreaming him mid-year and he finished with an A average. It has been so positive that we have since removed our younger child from RRISD and he, too, attends Star Charter. The small class size and zero-tolerance for bullying make us rate it 5 stars!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We homeschooled our four children before sending them to this school in 2001. As parents we love the flexibility of the schedules for either morning or afternoon classes and the intimate classroom setting. We have been greatly blessed by the one-on-one all our children have been able to receive because of the small classes. Their teachers have been able to meet their individual needs and so our children have been successful in their studies. The only downfall to the school,in our estimation, is the fact there is no kindergarden for our 5 year old. She is looking forward to attending when she reaches the first grade. Thank you Star Charter for making our transition from homeschooling to public school a pleasant one.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star Charter School is a great school if you want your child to learn somthing. The teachers are outstanding. Especialy one Dr. Rue Domel she help if your don't understand and she makes learning fun. My daughter said that because of her the year flew by and it wasn't bland and boring. Star has an exalent learning curiculum. Its a wonderful place your child only goes for 4 hours but they learn more and because the classes are smaller than regular public schools the children get more help and more one on one contact with the teacher. To make sure they understand that year that my daughter was at Star it helped her alot her grades significantly improved especialy my sons. They did wonders with him he is not good at English his grades went from F's to B's. Star Charter is a wonderful school. Take a chance get in!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star Charter School (SCS) is unique. They get more education done in 4 hours than the public schools get done in 7 1/2 hours. If your child wants to learn, they are given every opportunity otherwise, they can get by as in the public system. There aren't the usual clicks that appear in public school either. I also like the fact that all grade levels mix a little. I don't think the public system address sociability with any success. Even the little 1'st graders know some of the 12th graders. Sure some of the teachers are better than others, but most of them really love their job here. You can tell by the bonding that goes on between the student and teachers. Best of all, poor behavior is not tolerated. Far too much time is wasted with poor behavior in public schools.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star Charter is one of the best schools I ever sent my kids to. They are doing 10 times better than they did at Westview Middle and Deloco primary. The staff is nice and the classes are short not draged out so your kid losses there state of mind. My kids are always talking about how there day was and I would like to tell you some of the teachers names Dr.Domle, Mrs. Pickle, and Mr. Wells these are my childs teachers and he loves them.”
This review was posted by a student.