Highland Park Elementary School in Austin, Texas

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2009-08-31

“It all depends on how you look at it. Highland Park has not grown as a family; but a staff member so quantly wanted you to think that as she wrote it. There is still an abundance of turnover, immaturity of leadership and lack of discipline. My child has finally left the school and moved on to greener pastures; whereas he has fond memories of his teachers in 3rd and 4th grade, it was a constant worry to have him in such an atmosphere.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-08-25

“Not sure about the bitter parents. The test scores say a lot about this school. Yes, it was slammed over and over by the non-minority schools. Some even called it the, 'ghetto school,' because it wasn't white enough. Kids need to learn about the diverse world around them, and they need to master academic content. I think this is the only school in Pflugerville that does both of those things. The only one.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 2

Post Date:2009-08-23

“School is over crowded and loud. The school does not hold students to high standards. There is no consequence for not completing assignments and children who are ahead and do their work are not challenged.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-12

“The Highland Park faculty is growing into a family. After only 3 years it has quickly become one of the best schools in all of Pflugerville. There are so many wonderful things taking place at this school. The students are incredibly diverse and talented, the teachers are very dedicated and caring, the administration is supportive to the hard working teachers and tough on the ineffective teachers, and the parents are very supportive and present. The after school enrichment is terrific, the GT program is great, the Intervention team is super, the Diversity Night is one of kind! There are so many great things to say about HPES you can't fit it all in 150 words!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-10

“Great school! Everyone who will be working with students at our school next year will be focused on the success of our students. We made tremendous progress this past year and will be rated Recognized. Credit for this goes to the administrators, the teachers, parents, and all of the supporting staff. I have taught for 28 years and it is the first time I have experienced such achievement with a diverse population in a Title 1 school. I am excited about the possibilities for the coming year. It will take everyone working together to help us reach Exemplary status. We can do it if we pull together! Take care, enjoy the rest of the summer and be ready for a fantastic start to a new school year!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-09

“I am a proud parent of Highland Park! The diversity at this school is amazing and it's incredible to see how much the staff does to recognize it. HPES has an annual Diversity Night that is unbelievable. It's like nothing I've ever seen before in an elementary school. Also the after school enrichment classes are fantastic. They have a basketball and soccer program that are top notch, an art class, a step team, and math pentathlon just to name a few. These are all run by teachers and a couple parent volunteers. The faculty goes above and beyond the call. The administration has always been friendly and helpful. The principal greets children as they come in to school every morning. The PTO does a great job. It baffles me to see that this school has only a 3 star rating. It should be a 5 plus! Congrats on Recognized status!”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-09

“As a Bilingual Educator who has worked in the AISD District for 7 years, Highland Park has that special magic that not all schools share, its diversity. It sets it apart from all the rest. Thats just the way it is. The reality is that our world is changing. Global communications and other technologies have made the world alot smaller. Our students need to understand and appreciate other cultures as well as ours in order to compete with other countries. Here at Highland Park, many Educators understand this and are thinking in global terms on how to use innovative technologies to prepare our Highland Park students so that they can meet the challenges of tommorrow. We at Highland Park, are always striving to improve. Highland Park is still a work in progress. Many challenges lie ahead, but rest assured that the teachers that remain are in it for the kids.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

Quality Score: 3

Post Date:2009-07-08

“I have a son and daughter that go to Highland Park. I'm very satisfied with the teachers they have both had over the past two years. I like the diversity and the encouragement that I see to embrace it. It's a 3 year campus and the largest in the district working on a budget like the rest. HPES has wonderful teachers that go above and beyond. There are many teachers that give of their time AFTER school for extracurricular activities.The principal sets the tone in a school and do believe that there could be some improvement in that area, but that opinion does not keep me from seeing that HPES has been a great school for my children and that the teachers and staff have been wonderful.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 4

Post Date:2009-07-08

“I truly believe that we have the BEST teachers and love that they give everything for our children. And my childrens lives are blessed to have people that care soooo much about their future. I am positive that we all feel the same way. Our teachers and administators have NO control of the over crowding. That is the districts fault for not opening a school that is already built and has furniture. HPES is a great school and has awesome staff and students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2009-07-08

“EVERYBODY associated with this school knows that the teachers are great, children are great, parents (PTO) are amazing....we all know what that leaves. For some reason Highland Park has 62 reviews, and most other schools in pflugerville have 10-15. Isn't Highland Park one of the newest schools in PISD? I find it strange that the positive comments have finally started in July during the 3rd summer of the schools existence...did something change that not everybody knows?”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 4

Post Date:2009-07-07

“My daughter and son both go to this school and I am very happy with the teachers and the progress it has made and to be Recognized in it's 3rd year of opening. It is a very diverse school and I am glad my children go there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-05

“My 3 kids wouldn't chose to go to any other school in the world. The teachers, the PTO, the extra-curricular activities, and the cultural connection are just some of the many things we love about HPES. Bulldogs woof!!! :)”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 4

Post Date:2009-07-05

“This is a great school with caring teachers who go above and beyond for the students. I am proud to have my children attend and I enjoy my volunteer work very much.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-05

“My eldest came to HPES with a few disipline problems, but in her first year she complety turned around due to her teacher and the adminstration not letting her slide. She is now heading to sixth grade as a straight 'A' student. My youngest started in K here and has nothing but GREAT teachers. I do not see what some of the other parents are refering to in their comments, and I spend a lot of time at the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-05

“The way I see things are very clear and simple. People who are happy will always carry on in a positive manner and look into the good things while people who are never satisfied and negative, will always search for something wrong and choose to use websites like this to spread negativity to somehow fulfill a meaningful purpose, which in fact is only hurting hard working teachers, dedicated parents and innocent children. Any institution will have its flaws that need to be improved on and our school is no exception. But the facts our clear. Our school is now recognized in 3 short years, which is astounding. No other school in PISD offers the enrichment programs of our level and our Diversity is unheard of. My message is clear...Welcome to Highland Park, where happy and positive people make the best of their opportunities and do not take their school for granted.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-04

“My children have attended HPES since the doors opened. For the past 3 years, we have had exceptional teachers who go the extra mile! We have been welcomed into the classrooms and invited to help with projects and activities. We have always had an open line of communication. Our family has been involved in the school and PTO from the start. Being involved gives you the insight into the daily routine and challenges of a school our size. Guess what? HPES rocks it! There are numerous ways to get involved in the school....... school wide activities (dances, carnivals), educational family nights (Diversity Fair, Math & Science Night), and fun nights (Book Fair, Talent Show). Every school has a few unhappy staff members. Fortunately, those unhappy folks can leave at the end of the year.... the sooner the better! Every school has struggles. HPES never stops working to smooth out the kinks!”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-04

“I have been teaching in the public school system for 14 years and I can honestly say Highland Park is one of the best schools that I have ever been a part of. After two years on this campus I've come to realize some important things: 1. The children are terrific. 2. The teachers are very dedicated. 3. The admin. gives us freedom to teach. 4. The cultural diversity is extraordinary. 5. The enrichment classes are amazing. As a teacher of this school it hurts to see the unfair criticisms that parents have posted on this site. I am outraged at the accusations that are being made here! They are 100% WRONG! My daughter attends this school and I know that she is receiving a top notch education. After all, she is attending a school that's soon to be a nationally Recognized academic institution! This is evidence that these negative parents are wrong!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-02

“I have read the reviews of other parents on this site and I will tell you with certainty that they are dead wrong! This school has an amazing group of talented and dedicated teachers who go the extra mile for children. Highland park is an amazingly diverse school and the faculty has found ways to honor and celebrate all of the culture. I have been a sub there over the last two years and I can tell you first hand there were a couple of disgruntled teachers (who are no longer there) who spread an abundance of negativity to the community. I believe their work is reflected in the comments on this site. This school is filled with amazing teachers! The parents who know what's really going on at HPES are very pleased with the school. Your child will get a wonderful, well rounded education at Highland Park!”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-07-02

“My review focuses on facts and the positives of Highland Park. My child attended HPES since it opened and received a great education. Considering that the school has been opened for only 3 years, has the largest population of all elementary campuses, and that its a bilingual campus,... it will be considered a recognized campus for the 2009-2010 school year! The focus of the school is to be exemplary, the teachers are dedicated and many work weekends, it offers tutoring, it celebrates and values all cultures, and using the same budgets as other smaller schools it has found ways to provide students with every opportunity possible. Every school has it flaws, but Highland Park is special for those who call it home and value children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2009-07-02

“In the schools' 3 yrs, I have seen teachers raise the bar of performance here. I have not seen misbehavior that some have written about ... I see kids marching silently to their destination. I have witnessed kindergaten teachers actively teaching these kids during this 'downtime' by asking kids to 'think of a word for ...' as they patiently await their turn to march on. If they use this downtime to teach, what makes anyone think they would waste valuable classroom time? I have seen our children file into the library only to get asked to count how many kids are wearing stripes, how many are wearing a certain color, etc ... learning things as they prepare to be meticulously read to by our librarian that somehow knows every childs' name. The sports leagues are wonderful! The PFLEX program is outstanding! The Cultural Diversity pride is 2nd to none! Bulldogs..Woof!”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-07-02

“My children have attened Highland Park since it opended in 20006. When you have a brand new campus there is lots of work that needs to done and growth must happen. That being said there is lots that HPE needs to work on because it is so new, However, there is a high teacher and administrative (assistant principal) turn over on this campus. There are great teachers on this campus who value children and education. I cannot say the same for administrators they are very stand-offish and rude.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2009-05-27

“My daughter has attended several schools because of my husband's military career. HPES is at the bottom of the list in terms of safety and academic preparation. The discipline there is virtually non-existant, and students who should be suspended for certain things get nothing but talking to. I've also had to tutor my daughter regularly because her class is so behind the TEKS. I do not recommend HPES at all. We're looking into private school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2009-05-08

“Wow, finally some honest answers. Possibly it is time to look above this and understand the tangled web of top administrators in PISD and the politics that keep bad administrators employed and continue to move incapable administrators to top admin positions in the district. The current superintendent has allowed this nonsense to go on for too long.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-05-07

“I too am scared about he teacher turn-around rate at this school. It seems that the teachers who truly care for their students, who are willing to take the time to work with those students, are leaving . The principal seems standoffish and rarely looks happy. It is clear that the principals have favorites among their staff. I have witnessed a student disrespect a teacher and when that teacher reports it, the administrators just sit the student in the office for a short time and then sends them back to class! There are good things going on here as well, but they are overshadowed by the negative. The PTO is the most awesome PTO I've ever known of.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 4

Post Date:2009-04-11

“There are a lot of great things going on at HPES. There are teachers who tutor students after school, after school programs (basketball, soccer, art, math ) that are free to students, dedicated teachers who spend many hours planning for the needs of all their students. There is a great PTO-great parents and students. How about being part of the solution instead of being part of the problem? I am both a parent and a teacher at HPES and am incredibly happy with the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 4

Post Date:2009-04-07

“My elder son did his 5th grade in 2006-07. Never had any issue. The teachers were good, my son who had ADHD issue until 4th grade, did pick very well from this school. In fact his grades went up. My second son now in pre-kindergarten, same school. I'm very happy with the way the teachers & staff are shaping him up.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-02-11

“I have never had a problem with this school. My son is in Kindergarten and has ADHD. We have had some issues with discipline and focus due to this, and his teacher and Assistant Principal are working with me to keep him on the right track. It is very difficult to read all these negative reviews because I have not experienced any of this. When I drop items off for my son, the office staff is always jumping to help me. The faculty and staff do referrals, believe me, my son has had some. I have never seen misbehavior in the hallways when I go in. Everyone is always willing to help! Also, misbehavior is a reflection of bad parenting.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2008-12-03

“I was quite interested to see the reviews of the other parents as well. I am sure each individual case is different. I have a 2nd and 5th grader at Highland Park and I am not such a happy camper. They seem to have severe discipline issues and the teachers just throw their hands in the air as one told me that they get no backing from administration. Their appears to be no professionalism in this building at all when you walk through the halls. The turnover rate of experienced teachers is horrifying and the Superintendent offices in admin appear to not care. Our house is for sale and we are headed to Round Rock. That was the only answer we could think of.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2008-12-02

“This is my son's first year in kindergarten. I had read the reviews on here- but despite of it decided to give it a chance- I have seen none of what the other parents have complained about and I theorize that since this school was brand new last year that some latitude should be given. That said, I do see that they are experiencing some overcrowding this year- but that has not affected the level of education. I am so happy with this school- My son's kindergarten teacher has successfully balanced the needs of the gifted with the beginners without anyone being left behind or anyone being bored. Now that is the mark of a true gifted teacher.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2008-10-29

“I can't believe the mismanagement of this school. Not a good atmosphere for any type of leaning needs students. My child is in special ed and the service we had in Houston was ten times better. They are not fit for any special learning needs. The administrators are rude and set a very rude tone.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2008-10-12

“Glad to hear it isn't me. This school needs and overhaul. Last year I went to school to take my child out to lunch and walked in his room and no one in the office would help me. The principal was rude and standoffish. My son didn't even know the principal's name and it was March. It seems as though few staff members are happy there and the discipline in not to be seen. What I saw in the halls that day was a free for all and my son's fourth grade teacher told me it is always like that.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2008-10-10

“I would so like to agree. The discipline at this school is wild. I subbed there for three days and said not again. The teachers have told me that they're not allowed to write up students for misbehaviors, that swearing, spitting, talking back and refusing to do their work is not ground for a referral. I have a 2nd grader there and if it doesn't get any better; we are moving to a near-by district.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2008-10-08

“I have had several dealings with this principal. Notice the turnaround rate of teachers at this school. In my dealings with her, she is immature, shows favortism amongst her teachers, and couldn't tell you the name of my child or anyone elses. Every good teacher has left that school. I only have one year left there with my child, stay away.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 5

Post Date:2008-08-04

“I have been very, very pleased wih this school. The faculty and administration are friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested and involved in my child's needs, as well as every other child. My son is a GT student and has truly benefited from his time at this school and grown under the teachers he has had.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2008-08-01

“I do not care for this school. My daughter has to go back this next year and there is basically nothing that I can do about it, unless we homeschool. We just purchased a house here last year. She has never had a problem in school before, but would come home upset almost everyday with someone having bullied her. And the classes are overcrowded.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 1

Post Date:2008-07-18

“This is a terrible school the children are out of control. My child is a G/T student and he very well mannered and my husband and I have taken alot of time and will continue to do so to help keep our son on the right track. However, it is very hard to do this when you are made to take your child to such a terrible school The office staff is rude and the principals are not that helpful. This school is horrible I wish I didn't have to have my son here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Quality Score: 2

Post Date:2008-07-12

“This school has excellent staff and principals but the students are not very well behaved at all. There are many discipline issues and much time is spent trying to get control in the classrooms. All of my children have attended this school but I am seriously considering homeschooling.”
This review was posted by a parent.

Highland Park Elementary School in Austin, Texas

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