The Runnels School

Im a student and I have to say, the teachers here are great, but the bullying is very over looked. I once was eing bullied by a few popular girls and the guidence counceler didnt do anything about it! Sometimes I would go home crying! Think twice before going to this school!

My children have been attending Runnels since they were 2 y/o. We chose this school over others b/c we know Kelly & Gladys Runnels personally. There are definitely differnces between the grades as we noticed as our children progressed through them. The lower pre-K through elementary seemed more tolerant, accepting and supportive. The middle school thru high school seemed less so and our kids had to adapt to "new expectations". The high school is overall above average, but the teachers are hit & miss - it is important to realize that as a private school, Runnels is mandated to employ only teachers who are certified ... a certain number can be non-certified. However, we find that the music/arts programs are superb ... the productions are steallar and very well done. The sports program is developing as Runnels is now 2A & is very competitive. Are ther cliques? Yes. Runnels does not operate in a vacuum & is just as prone to this as other schools albeit on a smaller scale. We've found that the adminstration is more likely to support their staff than other schools ... a "bad" thing? We're not sure. Overall, we really have few negatives to say. Definitely worth looking into to in BR area.
--Submitted by a parent

My children are attending for their fourth year, and we are looking elsewhere to continue their education. Allegations about cliques and unequal educational opportunites are spot on - the school definitely plays favorites. This is NOT the normal stuff you see in every school, it is sanctioned by the elementary administration! They have a known bully problem, but the bullies are protected. Both of my children have been physically assaulted on campus, one in a classroom where the teacher was missing. The offenders were not punished because the administration sympathizes with the "hardworking, involved" offenders' parents. My children were initially blamed for not defending themselves or provoking it. I have been threatened on campus by a student, and the administration laughed it off because the child has "impulse control problems" and didn't mean it. I am afraid for the safety of my children.
--Submitted by a parent

My 2 boys have been very happy at Runnels. All of the previous comments about cliques is not the fault of the school, but rather the fault of the parents who are raising these children. It does happen at every school. Parents need to teach their children to accept other children into their circle of friends. Once one child does it others will follow. It happens in adults as well. Most parents who act like that have children that act that way as well. I feel the academics are great and the teachers really care.
--Submitted by a parent

Runnels is overall a pretty good school, and as a current student, I really benefit from the school's arts program. The academics are fairly good, however, many teachers at Runnels are below par. I also feel that not every student here at Runnels is treated equally. Certain students are given opportunities to take advanced classes while other students who are just as smart and talented are not. Another problem I have with Runnels is that it is not culturally diverse and not always non-denominational, although it claims to be. I would guess that the school is about 95% white, with only a few African American, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American students.. Teachers sometimes talk as if their religion is the only acceptable religion (adamantly defending creationism in a science class, for example). Complaints aside, however, I have been attending Runnels most of my life and have gotten a pretty good education despite the fallbacks. I feel that the arts education, especially the music program, has really shaped who I am. Please look into this school for your child, but beware that like most other schools, Runnels has its fallbacks.

Our child has been very happy at Runnels and has received an outstanding education from the school. There certainly are cliques there, as there are at any school.

My daughter attended Runnels for one year and she adored the teachers. There is a big problem with cliques among the students and they are not welcoming to Not only were they not welcoming, they made it a point for her to know that she was not in the group. She would try to join a group of girls at lunch and they would either get up and leave or stay quiet when she came over to sit. If they started a conversation and she joined in they would completely ignore her! I would pick her up in the evenings and she would look so rejected and sad. So I thought, well since we are the new ones, let us reach out to them. We planned a pool party at our home and she gave invitations to all girls in her class. Four (4) RSVP and 2 came! We left Runnels.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Runnels Elementary for two years. O verall, we are very satisfied with the academics and with the social mileau. The quality of teachers and instruction is very high. The school's non-sectarian philosophy is important to us and there is some diversity in the student body composition, but there could be more. There is a certain cliqueishness among some parents and student organizations led by volunteer parents. Although that can happen anywhere, the school could do more to offset exclusionary practices and reach out to new students.
--Submitted by a parent

My grandchildren attend Runnels. They are well mannered, and are learning more than most schools would/could provide.

As a Runnels school teacher with some public school teaching experience, this school is far superior. The parent/teacher interface is exceptional in that it allows parents greater influence over curricular activities and design. Class size and teacher resources are excellent. This is a college preparatory school that strives to place graduates in higher education. Students not prepared to work toward a college degree will not be as successful at Runnels. Students who wish to enter skilled trade training, should attend another institution.
--Submitted by a teacher