it is soooo good my kid have learned a lot from the school and also he said the school makes him…read morereally ha and the teachers are so nice to him

Reed Elementary is a truly special school…read more We discovered the school because of the Gómez & Gómez Dual Language program and the more we learned about Reed the more we liked it. The campus is well-maintained and beautiful (with a yard full of bluebonnets!) The student population is wonderfully diverse. The talented and caring staff and leadership are the best anyone could hope for. We moved and built a new home specifically to be in the zone for Reed. Our daughter's kindergarten experience was absolutely awesome, and the teachers made an incredibly good first impression on our entire family. We were all amazed by how quickly the kids picked up a second language and were able to jump right into conversation with others at the playground. We had unexpectedly opened up our daughter to a new world of cultural experiences, and more importantly, great friends. This early experience set the stage for many good things to follow. The other subjects are taught just as effectively as Language Arts. Math and Science are delivered in an interesting and fast-paced way that really clicks with our kid and others in her classes. "Specials" are a big highlight. The selection of books in the library, both English and Spanish, is great! The musical and dance opportunities in Performing Arts are amazing, from concerts throughout the school year to unique events like a special performance at the State Capital. The fundamentals that the kids are taught in Visual Arts provide an excellent foundation for future growth in drawing, painting, and understanding of color. The art projects our daughter brings home, and more importantly, creates completely on her own while AT home using her new and improving skills, are wildly impressive. Physical Education is also a favorite, with exposure to activities and sports that would have blown me away as a kid. And Running Club!! Everyone LOVES Running Club! After struggling with reading, our daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. The school provides special accommodations for these challenges. The amazing 504 team has been able to keep her learning along with her classmates and actually enjoying reading and writing, something that never happened for me as a kid. Our child's education is our top priority, and time and time again, we are convinced that we made the right choice with Reed Elementary.

am uncertain how to start my review of this beautiful school. I feel that I would need to tell the…read moreworld the entire story for you to understand. A few weeks ago my wife and I decided that public school has lost its calling for education. Students are nothing but a test score to them. We found Summit through a mutual friend that referred us to the school. On a Sunday afternoon I was able to speak with The Elementary Director. Not because she was working, but she had reached out to us on her day off. I asked her a few questions about the school and set up a tour. Tour day comes and we arrive at the school. We are met by the Assistant Head Master. She took us around the school explaining everything that we needed to know about Summit. She never tried to sell us on the school. She just explained what they are all about. My daughter loved everything about Summit, especially the cafeteria. So my wife and I decide this is the place that we want our daughter to attend. She started on a Monday. Wednesday comes and my wife goes into the ER thinking she had bad heartburn and only to find out she has Stage 4 Colon cancer. The cancer has spread to her liver and lungs. I called the school to inform them of the situation the next day so that my daughter could still function normally. Without any hesitation Summit jumped into action. The Head Master got involved. He came to see us Saturday morning before my wife's emergency surgery. He sat with me for a few hours before he had to leave. He prayed with me and helped me through some tough moments. After he left I received another text message from a Board Member. He brought me food and sat with me until my wife got out of surgery. He just sat there and listen to me. He never judged. Today after going to get food for my wife I came back to find another Board member with a gift for my wife.they have extended resources to our daughter and family in ways that only a loving family would. They have kept our privacy and loved on our daughter in ways that I could never explain Summit is the best thing that could have happen to our lives. It is not just a school, it is a family. They truly care about their students as well as their families. I cannot say enough good thing about this wonderful institution of God and Education. They are a true testament of faith and have reaffirmed everything that my family believes in. They have forever changed our lives and I do not think I could ever repay them. I love everyone in this school and god bless them all.

Summit is great! I attended this school for four years in high school and made some of my best…read morefriends. Summit prepared me greatly for college as I now attend a prestigious university where I am making exceptional grades. All of the faculty and staff go above and beyond to care for students. The Christian community fosters more of family like community amongst peers. I would recommend this school to anyone and everyone!

I am extremely happy and impressed with the education, care and level of integrity that Harmony…read more has provided for both of my children. We enrolled our 2nd and 4th grader after the pandemic in 2021 because our local public elementary school was having an extremely hard time keeping up with educational requirements and classroom management was very challenging for them. When we toured Harmony, it was a stark contrast. The teachers appeared HAPPY and professional. The campus was very clean and spacious. Since joining, it has been a day and night comparison. My second grader went from an unruly classroom in the public school system to learning vocabulary words like "imaginary". His teacher was excellent and operated on very high standards. Since we joined later in the school year, once my daughter graduated to the fifth grade and was having a hard time transitioning (missed her friends), her teachers picked up on it and recommended sessions from the onsite counselor - meeting her emotional needs. Additionally, my fifth grader was having a hard time in math, so her teacher started tutorials after school for those that needed a helping hand. That is going above and beyond. When my son was in third grade and having behavior issues in one of his classes, his teacher was very communicative and we were able to turn it around. I was very surprised to read the negative comments as that has not been our experience at all - and we have put them to the test in addressing fellow student conduct, behavior issues, and academic challenges. I feel they met the mark every time in solution based problem solving. The response time for any concerns is very quick and handled in a professional and efficient way. I also love the diverse community with parents who all share the vision of "something better" for their child. The drop-off/pick-up line does take time, but I am very happy to hear that they are working on a solution. I am a very proud parent of Harmony with the level of integrity, teacher commitment and communications. I have become friends with many other parents and I know they are too. Unfortunately people complain more than praise.

Harmony is the school with the best marketing in town. However, the reality is completely…read moreopposite. Our biggest issue was the classroom size, they don't adhere to the state mandated maximum so they are large and unsafe environment in general. Academically; You can check their curriculum if you request it. It's ok in comparison with most normal public schools but definitely not worthy for us, with the fact mentioned above. Lots of focus on the state mandate tests in order to improve scores to collect more money. Which is also why they have so many kids in each classroom. Our opinion is that the success of the kids at Harmony relies on the parents involvement as the homework are repetitive and are focused on a just a memorize game for the tests not learning. Our experience on first grade was that the kids aren't allowed to ask questions maybe with the fact of the overpopulated classroom. It's definitely not an example of a quality education in our eyes. Also, in two years never experienced the "Stem" program which was the reason we chose the school.

I am not sending my kids to the school again it was so bad he got punched in the face big mistakeread more

Yay! I'm #1! I love…read morethis school. My son loves going to school and participates in the Y afterschool. I have been extremely satisfied. The teachers are great and I always feel like my son is safe. What more can you ask from in a school. Oh! And he has learned so much! My 1st grader can spell words like Shriek (I can't even spell that!)

My first experience with Montessori was 10 years ago, with my son, at a Montessori school in a…read moredifferent state. I was quite disappointed with what was touted as Montessori and the results I saw with my son. The freedom that comes with the Montessori method didn't suit him, as he would take advantage of it by reading books all day instead of participating in lessons. At the time, my priority was simply having someone take care of him since both parents worked. As long as he was safe, that was enough. I didn't think much more about it until it was time to put my daughter into daycare, as our parental leave was coming to an end. From the options available, enrolling her in a "private school" seemed like the best choice, hoping she would learn something and not just play all day. I first placed her at the Brushy Creek campus, because they have classrooms for babies. The price seemed steep for just feeding and changing diapers, but again, I figured you pay for quality. Well... I was surprised by how quickly she was developing. She started walking at 10 months old, communicated her needs through sounds and sign language, and got along well with other kids. The benefits of socializing her early were obvious. I started thinking there might be more to Montessori than I originally thought. It wasn't until we transferred her to the Cypress Creek campus, closer to home, that I truly realized how wrong I had been about Montessori. At Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek, I saw just how incredible the Montessori method can be when done right. The school has provided an exceptional learning environment for my daughter, with a strong focus on individualized education and fostering independence. The Montessori philosophy is clearly evident in every aspect of the school's approach, from the thoughtfully prepared classrooms to the well-structured activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and self-discipline. Her teachers, Mrs. Ebelia and her assistant Alex, have been amazing. They are both professional, caring, and highly qualified, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere for the students. I have seen remarkable growth in my child's confidence and ability to tackle challenges on her own, and I attribute a lot of that progress to the nurturing environment they've created. One of the standout aspects of the school is the abundance of activities they offer to bring the community together. Whether it's events for families, parent workshops, or school celebrations, Guidepost Montessori does an incredible job of fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement between parents, teachers, and students. Additionally, the diversity of my daughter's classmates is remarkable. She is surrounded by children from various backgrounds, which enriches her learning experience and broadens her understanding of the world around her. The communication between the school and parents is outstanding--I'm always kept informed about my child's progress and any updates regarding the school. The leadership at Guidepost Montessori is also worth noting. They are approachable, proactive, and genuinely care about the development and well-being of the students. It's clear that they are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in education. Overall, I couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll at Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it to any parents looking for a nurturing, innovative, and effective learning environment for their child.

I need to begin this review by clarifying a misunderstanding I had when enrolling my kid at this…read moreschool. It is NOT named after a dinosaur. In fact, there are no dinosaurs named Montessori, Montessorous, Montessori Rex, Montessoridon, or even Montessoridactyl. I think Montessori is Italian, actually. Next obvious question: Were all dinosaurs Italian? This is hotly debated amongst anthropologists even today. My theory is that yes, and that what actually killed the dinosaurs was not a meteor from space, but rather a meteor-sized meatball. All evidence is forthcoming once I can find a scientific journal that will publish my thesis. Anyway, back to the review of the school. Hold on to your butts... My kid has been attending Guidepost at Cypress Creek for about a year and a half. He started in the toddler classroom and is now in Children's House. (They call it a house, but it's actually a classroom. I don't know why. When you reach out to admissions, you can use that as an icebreaker. You're welcome). My partner, my kid, and I have all been very pleased with both classrooms. Montessori schools treat their students as fully capable people with their own agency. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but somehow they make it work. When you watch a classroom in full swing, it's like a well-oiled machine. The students are working either independently or cooperatively. They are cleaning up after themselves, being respectful towards others, and are highly attentive towards their classwork. They are very clever girls and boys. This is a testament to the excellent guides (their term for teachers, there's your second icebreaker). It sounds impossible but, uh, the guides find a way. The administration is also wonderful. They are pro-active with their communications, and we always feel in the loop. Almost every day there are optional extra-curricular activity options on the school grounds, which is super convenient. Things like art, gym, and soccer. The school is a great size. It's small enough that it feels like a real community. I think all of the guides know our kids' name, even if they aren't in his class, and they know both my partner and me. There are frequent classroom-wide and school-wide events, both in person and remote. There's an outdoor playground, of course, and a garden area that gets frequent use. All of the children participate in maintaining it, which is cool. Tuition is reasonable, even though it seems like they've spared no expense, so that's nice. Well, readers, after careful consideration, I've decided to endorse Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. We like it enough that we will be enrolling our second kid when he's old enough. The question wasn't so much whether we could but whether we should, and even that was silly because the answer was obviously yes. The lack of actual dinosaurs is disappointing, of course, but I'm not going to deduct stars for that. I haven't found any school that has them, so it wouldn't be fair.

Awful i went there , I am actually in this picture, I am traumatized, do not send your children…read morehere. I learned nothing and the staff bullied me.

I have really struggled with whether or not to write a review for our time at the Joule School. I…read morewill readily admit that we not only had a short stint, but we also came in halfway through a school year - Spring semester and one month of Fall semester in 2018. I feel like there are so many reasons why our experience turned out to be such a negative one, so I would not want to deter anyone from considering Joule if they feel it would be a good fit. But I do want to caution families about some of our final concerns, especially for younger children. Thus the rating - if I'm honest, our experience was more 2 Stars or less, but I can't bring myself to mark it as such so I hope you'll read for a full explanation. The positives about the school are extensive. When I first read their philosophy on their website I felt like it was written directly to me. I wished I'd had a school option like this growing up. Student-led, open to movement, encouraging of different ideas. Academics modeled around the whole child and multiple disciplines. Not teaching to tests or conforming to the ideas of school we've had since the Industrial Age. It was exciting and empowering. The teachers were also warm and welcoming. The Director was informative and knowledgeable. Their discipline was democratic and the children were all unique and inquisitive. I still love their ideas and principles in theory - but in practice, it did not always run smoothly. The lack of structure and student-led methods turned out to be a destructive combination for my 4-year-old son. He was bored at his previous daycare, so we thought the academic challenge would be good for his curious mind. However, he began to regress dramatically socially and emotionally. He started acting out with attitude changes and behaviors that he'd overcome or never had previously. And while I refuse to act as if he had no agency in those actions, he was clearly influenced by some of the other children in his class and in the school. Some of the subjects in the school were pretty mature. It also appeared that screen time and playtime was not always well supervised. Inappropriate language and actions were sometimes used by the kids and teachers without consequence or with varying consequences, which only led to confusion. I am all for "kids being kids". We went to Joule because we did not want our child to feel burdened with unnecessary rigidity. Yet we left feeling like he had been burdened instead with words, images, and thoughts unnecessary for a kid his age to be exposed to so young. We are now at a new school that focuses on a better mix of social, emotional, and academic intelligence - for us. Again, I want to reiterate that our experience may be unique. There were several families at Joule that were perfectly happy, if not ecstatic, with the program. There were chances to really bond with such a small group - it ran more like a co-op, really. Which can be great if everyone gets involved. When we left, I was grateful to see that it seemed like a lot of the new families were really coming together to beautify the space and make it safer and cleaner for the students. Unfortunately, there was also a complete turnover of teaching staff in the short time since we'd started. Therefore, combined with our son's disruptive behavior not improving with the new semester, we decided we should probably just change schools since there was already going to be so much more change. He has improved greatly in the month we have been at his new school. Joule simply did not have the resources or infrastructure to provide everything we needed or wanted. And it's not that our son has special needs - I would say if that were the case and point out that they are open about not having the tools to cope with certain kids' needs. If anything, since his experience at Joule, he now needs some additional help to process his feelings and emotions and overcome rude language and behavior. But since removing him from Joule, he's much happier, kinder, and more fulfilled. I am extremely sad that we had such a negative experience at the Joule School. I will continue to stress that others clearly did not. Every child is different. Every parent is different. Every family is different. I still love the heart, soul, and idea of Joule. But I did not love the stress, pain, or frustration we felt while we were there. I just want parents to be mindful. Especially for younger students. Ask questions. Get involved. But if it's not the right fit, don't hesitate to leave.

AME really is an awesome elementary school. Not only is it an IB school, but it also offers a…read moreSpanish immersion program. Basically, your child can get an elementary education in Spanish. How cool is that?! All the staff I've met have been positive and helpful. AME always has something happening, and it has a lot of great school spirit. I feel lucky that it is our neighborhood school!

One of the most rewarding... and challenging... things we have done as a family…read more Austin Classical School (ACS) is a Christian, blended-model classical school located in central Austin. Our kids (now in second and third grades) have been going to ACS since they were in kindergarten. Also, I think it is important to point out, I am not the primary homeschool teacher but help with math and reading. Let me start my review by saying ACS is not for everyone. The homeschool part of the model can be daunting. There have been times over the past several years when our kids (and us) have been in tears. However, I can also say that some of the most special times we have had with our kids have come during the homeschool time. Things such as seeing a difficult concept finally click with are cherished moments with our kids. Just know that while the homeschool portion feels daunting, it can be done (and there is a whole community of teachers and other parents like you out there supporting you). Here are some of the pros and cons that my wife and I have seen with ACS: Pros - Learning and academics. The academics are rigorous. In several areas I perceive our kids being taught things that are about a grade level above their peers at other schools. In most cases this is not difficulty for difficulty sake but it is building towards something. Take math for example. ACS uses the Singapore math curriculum. While there are times that I feel like I want to jump off a building (metaphorically) when trying to teach second and third graders bar models, I see how learning these concepts now is leading towards a deep understanding of algebra and other higher-level forms of mathematics. Additionally, one of the things I love about the classical model is that the goal of the school is to teach kids how to think and not what to think. The classical school model builds towards high school age students constructing arguments and defending a position. This is the prize that I look forward to my kids attaining. - Time with our kids. I list this as a pro for two reasons. The first is it is just fun and rewarding to spend time with our kids. It is heartwarming to see the world through their eyes and discover new things. Also, all the time spent together has brought us closer as a family. The second reason why this is a pro is because I feel like we have a much larger hand in molding and shaping our children than if they were in a 5 day-a-week program. - Community of like-minded families. ACS is a community. Both the moms and the dads get together on a regular basis to support one another, share tips on what is working for them and just for fun. This has made the journey feel a lot less lonely and has helped us be better teachers to our kids. Of course, not everything is perfect with ACS or the model. Some of the cons or challenges that I have seen include: - Homeschool days can be difficult. I mentioned this before but the homeschool days can be long and challenging. Some days are just difficult. This can be due to a bad night sleep (on either the kids' part or are parents' part), the parent-child relationship or just a heavy day of school. Additionally, I sometimes feel inadequate or unqualified teaching certain concepts. I mean, after all, I am not a trained educator. Two things to think about this. The first, as mentioned, there is a huge support group of teachers and other parents going through the process alongside you who are ready to help. This can be in the form of a quick word of encouragement via a text group to email tips from the teacher to a sit-down meeting with the head of the school. All there to help. The second thought on this is the amount of individualized time that the students get. The school class sizes are small. The typical size class for our kids has been in the 10-12 range. This provides a lot of direct interaction with the teachers while in school. At home, even though my wife and I might feel inadequate at times, we are spending concentrated one-to-one time with our kids and can work through any issue with them. - The school is still new and figuring some things out. At the time of writing this, ACS is in its sixth year of operation. It is still a young school. As such, there are things which are still being figured out. This can be good with the school showing a lot of flexibility and desire to test and try new things but it can be a challenge as well. Bringing it all together, we are extremely excited and happy that our kids go to ACS and highly recommend the school. I encourage prospective parents to read about the model, talk to other parents whose kids are in the school and take a tour and see the kids in action. If the school is a fit for your kids and what you are seeking out of an education for them, you can't go wrong with ACS.

I am a co-teacher/mom at Austin Classical and fall more in love with the school and community each…read moreday. The classical curriculum is not only engaging and challenging but has shown me that this is how children are meant to learn (especially after experiencing a public school education). The community is one of love and support, each family is there for a deeper purpose and that shines in the relationships that are built not only in the children, but in the adults as well. "For Christ and His glory" goes much beyond a motto and is truly the cornerstone and mission of ACS. We are so thankful to be a part of this beautiful school and community!

Both my kids attended for years and with another now on the way I can rest easy knowing that when…read morewe need to find care for her, RSP is there. I never encountered an administrator or teacher that was anything less than kind, caring, empathetic, and compassionate.

We have had a wonderful experience with Rising Stars. Low teacher turnover, very caring staff and a…read morewonderful group of kids. My daughter was beyond prepared for kindergarten! My son has found a wonderful group of friends and we have built community with other parents. We consider the staff to be like family and partners in raising our children.