Research Burnet Middle School public Schools in Austin, Texas

“I am proud of what we have accomplished this year. There is a new principal, though the previous one wasn't uncaring as some previous posts said. He is positive, proactive, and seeks input. It is a big job to do! The faculty here is supportive and collaborative and there are so many resources and opportunities available to the school. I am continually surprised by how rarely and how few parents try to contact me. I hope that our new initiatives for next year will make communication more open between us. Burnet has great, talented, and dedicated students and staff. Now, if we can get all the students to hang on to their supplies from day-to-day and lose the fear of a 'school boy' image.... I would give it 5-stars :).”

“I belive this school would benefit from a change in leadership. Burnets current principal has been here far too long and has lost sight of what's really important--the kids. Time to move on.”

“I could not agree more with some of the comments I have just read concerning Burnet. I feel that the problem lay squarely at the feet of the BMS principal. I have found her to be unresponsive to our needs. I feel she lacks a decent rapport with her parents and staff.”

“The teachers at this school are wonderful and very helpful to my children. They do everything that they can to address my concerns and my children's needs. The dress code is needed. Apparently, many of the students' parents are more concerned whether their little 'darlings' are allowed to wear low-cut blouses or sagging prison-style pants than their education! Wisen up! Support the school, show up to volunteer, get your kids on track in your homes, and maybe your children will turn around. The average student at BMS nevber has a parent who gets involved. There are some who do, but they are way overshadowed by the uninvolved parents. Please help out, be supportive, and let's save these kids.”

“The quality of academic programs is average with music, art and sports all available. The level of parent involvement is where this school is suffering. There are a lot of children attending this school who have parents that could care less who their children spend time with, what they're doing with their time, where they're spending their time and, when they are or aren't where they're supposed to be.”

“I have been teaching in Burnet for two years now and find that the students lack desire and a willingness to acheive more than what society has steriotyped them to become. The faculty and staff work closly together however are constantly battling for support from the comunity and parents.”

“At first I was all for the dress code until my son was put in to 'In School Suspension' for forgetting to wear his belt. This his first offense and had not even served detention for any other dress code violations. He makes good grades and respects the teachers and other students but doesn't feel the same about school anymore. The focus isn't on education anymore when it gets to this point.”

“This is a fantastic school they just need better guidance. the principal is doing a fantastic job but the test scores could be improved greatly.”

“As Principal of Burnet Middle School,I am pleased to be able to provide some information about our campus that will hopefully provide relevant information to any parent and student moving into our area. We are the Burnet Sailors and our motto is Sailing Toward Excellence. We do just that each and every day! Burnet is indeed a picture of our world today. With over 38 differnent countries represented on our campus, Burnet Middle School proudly holds the title as the most diverse campus of any AISD middle school. Students come to Burnet and learn not only academics, but also how to work and live with others. Teacher turnover is always a good indicator of a school's success. For the last two years, BMS teacher turnover has been among the lowest in the district. What that means is simple: teachers teach here because they want to and because they enjoy working with our students. This year, our campus was honored as the campus with the largest number of National Board Certified teachers. All our teachers are certified in the fields they teach. This is not always true of every campus. As a campus that encourages students to explore and try new avenues, we offer a wonderful fine arts, athletic, and foreign language program. Our campus believes that all students are capable of learning and that student effort creates ability. After school activities include tutoring, Reading and Math Camp, and Sailor Club, a club where students can learn and grow and have fun after school. As Principal of this campus, I am proud to call Burnet Middle School my school. All of us work together each and every day to provide the best learning opportunities possible for each and every child.”

“I'm a teacher at Burnet, and I'm not made of money either, but I would be HAPPY if my child could get away with wearing a simple white t-shirt to school. Last time I checked, you could buy a pack of several Hanes shirts at Wal-Mart for a few dollars. Point me to the store at Highland Mall where you can buy cheaper school clothes for your kids. The excuse that there isn't enough money to buy kids the school uniform just won't fly. Another option: come up to the school and purchase a $5 BMS t-shirt...or better yet, rummage through the old uniforms we have leftover from kids who've gone on to high school and donated their clean, used uniform clothes.”

“I am so sick of hearing parents gripe about the dress code. Get over it! Since the dress code has been implemented, behavior problems in the school have dropped. Students are focussing on learning and not on what other students are wearing. Parents complain that children do not have an outlet to express themselves. I would suggest enrolling your child in fashion school. There are by the way.. many valuable opportunities for students to participate in electives such as band, orchestra, art, as well as many afterschool clubs. What Burnet Middle school would really like to do is work with parents who want to help their children succeed. I encourage any parent who reads this post to contact the school and ask about ways to contribute. We (teachers) want to work with you, not against you.. just please stop with the dress code rants.”

“My child and I are happy with the school and the rules. I don't mind the dress code. My child goes to school to learn, unfortunely many kids now a days do not want to learn and some parents just don't seem to care. My child who is an honor student and has always been a good student is happy that the teachers at this school are willing to work with all the kids at their levels. I think that the principals at all schools need to be tough in order to control the kids. My child has faced many bullies at this school but she has always felt that she could go to any of her teachers for help if needed. Thank you Burnet staff for doing your best for my childs education.”

“This is my child's first year at BMS. So much emphasis has been placed on the dress code and yet, my child turned someone in for having illegeal contraband, it was found in their backpack and removed. There have to be rules and guidelines, but because gangs have marks to identify themselves to each other such as red tennis shoes with red laces then they enforce a dress code and my child can't wear a plaid shirt. My child ate food in class and was put in ISS (in school suspension). When I was in school and that happened, just take it away, some punishment is too strict. Staff have been rude to my child but when I complained, I was told, 'the specific staff would never do that' - maybe not in front of other staff, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen - where's the truth?”

“The concern I seem to have is that I am not informed days in advance when classes are not in session. For example, Feb 2nd I didn't get any heads up on this date. I always have to call the school to confirm or look it up on the aisd website. Another concern I have is when turtoring or after school classes are being offered there's not a parent form to be filled out. Letting the parent know,nthat their child is enrolled or not. We all need to be responsible for safty of the children. That's eveyones job. Any child can say 'I have turtoring or a class today pick me up at 4:30.' How do we know as parents that this is true, if we don't get any feed back from the school confirming that my child is staying late for turtoring and/or afterschool classes?”

“I am really sick and tired of hearing everyone complain about the dress code. Yes that school is run like a prison. That is because most of the kids that attend Burnet Middle School are hoodlums and future criminals. I think the dress code is exactly what is needed along with more disipline and more positive parent involvement. It's so nice to drop my daughter off at school and not see those big as a house pants, and girls in short- shorts. My daughter has 'survived' three years at Burnet Middle School and I wouldn't recommend the place to anyone. However, I don't think it is because of the dress code or the principal. I think the principal is doing the best job she can with the students and parents she has to work with.”

“I have a daughter that attends seventh grade at Burnet Middle School and I wish it were her last. There has been a uniform policy imposed on the students this year. This was voted on by the parents at the end of the previous school year and was voted down. The principal took it upon herself to go against the parents wishes and implement a uniform policy. I feel this violates the children's right to freedom of expression. This shows a complete lack of respect for the parents. del In addition my daughter was assaulted and had her life threatened by another student and the school officials did not feel the need to notify me. Charges were filed against the assailant,however,school officals attempted to coerce my daughter into dropping the charges. A number of changes need to be made and it should begin with the principal because she is highly ineffective.”

“On the first day of school - after school clothes are all bought we get this overly restrictive, ridiculous dress code thrown at us that goes into effect Sept 2. Excuse me but I'm not made of money. What is that all about? No skirts? No red or blue shoes? Only solid blue, white, black, green, or gray shirts - no writing whatsoever? Outrageous. Maybe I will have to consider home-schooling afterall.”

“I live on a tight budget and cannot buy uniforms when they decide I have to. If they want my child to wear a uniform then they need to provide them at the expense of the school.”

“My son has attended Burnett Middle School for the past 2 years, this year will be his last year and I am truly thankful. I feel my child does not have the necessary tools available to him to allow him to excel in Burnet Middle School. One issue is Burnett does not allow the students to take their study materials home. How is a child going to excel with his peers in other school districts if they are not afforded an equal opportunity as other districts. If knowledge is suppose to be power, why are the children only allowed to gain knowledge between the hours of 8:15-3:45. It is already difficult for working, single parents to be involved with their childs shchool work, if the child has no books to refer to how can a parent reference the material and assist their child in comprehension. Children that exceed the basic minimum standards are not challeged. Although Burnet has honor classes for 'Honor' students, those students are also deprived of acheiving their maximum output because of the fact they are not afforded the opportunity to continue their studies at home. Just as Burnet can 'make' parents responsible for purchasing dictated clothing for their children for the dress code. Parents can also be responsible for the destruction or loss of books that are not retuned. Burnet Middle School is okay, but it could be alot better!”