Austin Road Elementary School

My daughter attended private school for the first grade and I switched her to Austin Road starting second grade. We are very happy with the school and our decision to put her in public school. The teachers are super and they have so many after school activities and programs for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

Austin Road is a wonderful school. I have had children in the school for the last 8 years. The teachers are wonderful, the staff is friendly, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Austin Road community.
—Submitted by a parent

Let me start off by saying that this school WAS a Blue Ribbon school in the early 1990's which does not represent what it is now. It's grading system is really terrible. I do not like the fact that my child receives grades no lower than 93 on all tests and when I see the report card it does not reflect the test scores because of the grading system the school district has enforced.
—Submitted by a parent

Great curriculum. Music, art, sports and other activities are unfortunately driven by the school budget. I was involved with the PTO which ran many fund raisers and programs for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

99% of the mothers and families love this school and it is rated one of the top in N.Y. State. And Yes, I as a parent would never just drop by for an inspection, this is not a daycare center located in someones house where an inspection would be called for and proper in that situation. If I needed my child that badly, I'm aware that the office and even the principle is more than capable to make my child available to me. Other than that scenerio, I wouldn't disrupt (and that would be the case just dropping by your childs class) at anytime. Signed, Just a grateful parent.
—Submitted by j, a parent

I feel what the other parent said above is unfair. This school does not have a closed door policy. Visitors must sign in the office because of safety, not to keep parents from seeing their children. Anyone can come to the school and come to the main office and ask permission to see their child's classroom/teacher. However that does not mean you can decide to make surprise inspections in the classrooms. This is a school where children learn. If teachers are working with a parent they are not working with the children. Which is more important? Also, knowing my child is safe in a building that does not allow people to walk around without a school visitor's badge sounds like a safe and smart environment. Austin Road is a wonderful school and the principal is a nice and friendly man. The teachers are amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

It is very hard to get into this school for parents. There is no open door policy and I don't care for that. I would like to do an unannounced visit but can't do so. That worries me.The principal is a very unfriendly man. My child is in the after school program which is wonderful but everyday I go to get him, the school has him in another area. He needs to be in the same place everyday. It took me 30 minutes to pick him up one day.
—Submitted by a parent