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Highland Park Elementary School
(512) 414-2090
4900 Fairview Dr
Austin, TX 78731
Level: PK-5
District: Austin Independent School District

Extended Information

In-depth school information including test scores, student stats, parent ratings and reviews for Highland Park Elementary School, Austin, TX.

Census Info	Value	Year
Black, non-Hispanic:	2.3%	(2008)
Hispanic:	11%	(2008)
American Indian/Alaskan Native:	0%	(2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:	5%	(2008)
White, non-Hispanic:	81.7%	(2008)

Highland Park Elementary School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating	4
Average Principals Rating	4
Average Teachers Rating	4
Average Activities Rating	4
Average Parents Rating	4
Average Safety Rating	4

Highland Park Elementary School Reviews


Posted By: parent Quality Score: 1 2009-05-27 “I concur w/ the parent who says 'They monopolize the high-profile PTA jobs, while many parents put in time but are not recognized.' Not just PTA but homeroom parent positions too. Every yr, it's the same clique revolving the spots. The last two principals have been asleep at the wheel. They have done nothing but collect their paychecks. And if you think your children's getting a good education, think again. My child got straight a's, and a gt student, throughout his 6yrs at HP. When he got into middle school, he failed math and science for 2 straight yrs. We had to pay handsomely to the Sylvan learning ctr to teach him what was not taught at HP. if I were to do it again, I should have enrolled him in Kirby Hall.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2008-08-20 “Highland Park has benefitted from the energetic leadership of a new principal 2 years ago. One of the most challenging aspects of educating students at Highland Park is the matching the expectations of the parents at the school. My own children have benefitted from exceptional teachers. Inconsistencies across grade levels are being addressed with alignment initiatives, but progress does take time. Parents are quite involved yet the school is certainly not driven by parents as the previous reviewer suggests. Every staff member has extensive professional experience in education, including parents who have been hired to serve as staff. I have 2 HP graduates and one current student and am extremely satisfied with the quality of education at HP!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 1 2008-08-11 “There's ability testing, and it's inconsistantly messured from grade to grade. There are children who are moved up to 'higher' classes based on their parents' involvement and popularity in the school, rather on their assesment scores. So the whole idea of seperating the children on skill level is a joke. Some parents have the attitudes that they own the school. They monopolize the high-profile PTA jobs, while many parents put in time but are not recognized. If you've done enough time on the PTA in the high-profile jobs long enough, you'll be hired on as a regular paid employee at our school! There's a lot of chronism based advancement, where the teachers and some parents are much too familiar, which leads to favoritism amongst certain students. The teachers are spoiled with gifts/money , but give nothing in return. We've had really great and poor teachers. 5th grade was terrible.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2008-08-11 “I was first attracted to this school because it supporting Levin's 'A Mind at a Time' which focuses on each individual child's differences, working on their strengths and not only putting the focus on their weakness. I was disappointed. My child not only lacked a challange in the area she was advanced in, but ended up in the lowests classes in the placement overall, with extra attention to her weakness in special ed, with teacher, Read, who was a waste of a year. Not only did my child not improve on her weak areas but she lost a lot of ground where she had been strong. I would not recommend this school. The principal is very nice but is not familiar enough with what's going on with the teachers in their classrooms. She should be more acquinted in this area.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2007-06-18 “Academics are terrific and most of the teachers are great but the principal exhibits weak leadership especially in cases involving teacher discipline and safety.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-08-10 “My younger son just completed his elementary years at HP and I cannot imagine a better place for him. My older son also attended, and both were well prepared for middle school, even ahead in curriculum knowledge. The staff is friendly and truly enjoy working with kids. The atmosphere is positive and very safe. This is a school where almost all parents are involved and expect their children to learn and behave. Therefore, high academic standards are met. With a combined 12 years at this school, I only was displeased with one teacher. Some might think the school is too structured or make the students work too hard, but they really come out with an excellent knowledge base. I love the activities such as Halloween Hoot and the beautiful landscaping provided by parent involvement. You will love this school. Probabaly the best in Austin (private or public).” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-05-28 “Highland park has a great academic program. The students that attend are getting an excellent education. The major concern about the school is a lack of racial/cultural diversity. Also, there is a major emphasis on fundraising at this school, which can be disturbing at times. While it is great for parents to support the school and help it to have additional resources, it would be nice to see them give some to other schools in the district without resources so that the disparity is not so great. Other than that, it's a great school. The teachers are wonderful, and very easy to work with and very accomodating.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-04-26 “This is a wonderful school I love everything about it and the staff they are all great” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-03-22 “Highland Park has been good for my kids,it is like a prep school, with a lot of parents involved fundraising and running the school. Homework was not too harrowing, but I think parents are inclined to help too much. Some of the projects are amazing work for this age group and kids should really own the work. Nice teachers who care. Support your art, music, and phys. ed. teachers and programs!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2006-02-07 “Our child attended Highland Park for two years before we transferred. Although she is a very high tester and compliant - thus ideally suited for HP in theory - she and we have been much happier since we transferred. Highly structured (rigid?) environment, our teachers were indifferent in quality (perhaps we were unlucky), neither administration, teachers or PTA seemed inclined to hear anything about possible improvements. I think more flexibility about innovations with regard to best practices are preferable. Very weak leadership. Difficult environment for working mothers (PTA meetings at lunch time, many class events during the school day etc). We discovered that Austin has a cluster of excellent elementary schools in the central/west zone but their paths to excellence are quite different. We wish we had looked into this more closely before k.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-01-14 “Highland Park is truly an outstanding school. The learning is hands-on, using the latest technology as tools to present the projects created by the students. Outstanding community involvement coupled with a dedicated, creative staff makes Highland Park an exemplary school by any standards.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-11-29 “This school is a public school but 'feels' like a private one. The small size and the parental involvement makes it a wonderful place for learning. The teachers are experienced and truly interested developing the self-esteem, self-reliance and education of each child. This school is truly special and my son loves to go to school each day.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-08-23 “When moving to Texas a year ago from out of state-- I researched all of the top achieving schools. Highland park has one of the best reputations in the state. I fell in love with the school and the neighborhood and feel very fortunate to be here. My children are being taught at their level and are constantly challenged-- most importantly they come home proud of their accomplishments. From what I have heard-- the status of attending Highland Park will help them get into the middle school of their choice-- Keeling-- a math and science magnet that is hard to get into. I thank Highland Park for their history of excellence and the commitment to leading into the future! Thank You.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-07-21 “ABILITY GROUPING. One thing you must know: the school uses 'ability grouping' beginning in 2nd grade. Students are tested and evaluated every semester and grouped by 'ability' for math and, separately, for language arts. I think it is an efficient approach to public education. Some parents are abhorred by it. ACADEMICS are good. Teachers are experienced and like their jobs. Students are taught Spanish and computer. SPECIAL AREAS (pe, art, music) are very very very strong. PTA is super-organized. It raises and contributes tons of money each year. PARENTS are involved.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2005-06-02 “Great academics. Beginning in 2nd grade students are assigned to different reading and math classes based on ability. PTA raises a ton of money and pours it back into the school. Lots of parental involvement. Wonderful neighborhood.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-04-04 “This is a good school overall. The main flaw is that it pays too much attention to standardized tests.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-10-26 “Highland Park is full of caring, qualified teachers. My children have had a wonderful academic and extracurricular experience. The parents are very involved, and the staff and parents are always working to make it the best elementary school possible!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-10-13 “I think that Highland Park is an outstanding elementary school. Mrs. Knowles' leadership is superb. She cares about the kids and her teachers. The teachers are great. I can't imagine a better school for my child. The only downside to Highland Park are some overbearing parents who try to control the school. Highland Park has excellent leaders who were trained to run a school. Those parents should just let them do their jobs.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2004-10-05 “Great parents, mostly great teachers, weak leadership. The kids love it here and the only negative (besides the principal & constantly changing support staff) is the extremely competitive 'ability grouping' that causes kids to change classes and teachers from 2nd grade on for lang arts and math as well as the specials (pe, art, music)...Stressful even if your child does well academically. Hp has spanish in the school day and that is great! excellent academics, fabulous teachers, nice environment.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-09-27 “We have had a wonderful experience at Highland Park so far. The teachers and parents are exceptional. If you get involved with your kids at school, it truly pays off. Highland Park is a school with plenty of opportunity to get in-volved. My child and I both love it.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 1 2004-08-07 “Some classrooms are 'motel-style', and Kindergarteners had to walk outside to the restroom which posed safety concerns. Restroom doors were open to the outside so strangers potentially had access. My child had to carry a water bottle because the water fountain was broken for much of the year. My child only had one teacher at HP, but the quality of that teacher was very disappointing. Not a happy experience for my child. We have had a much more positive experience at our current school.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-02-11 “As a parent of two former HP students who are achieving at the top of their classes at the next two levels I would rate the school as outstanding. The curriculum is varied and rich. Parent participation and teacher devotion and competence help make HP one of the finest public schools available.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2003-09-05 “Overall a great school. Parents are part of the reason for HPs success. The parents show the kids that education and community are important and the kids bring these ideas to school. I would like students to get some reasonable control over topics selected for reading and writing activities.”