Butler Elementary School

This is far and away the best elementary school I've ever seen. The parental involvement, wonderful administration and truly caring teachers make this a top-notch environment. With a wide variety of activities, the school offers my children a loving, well-rounded education.
—Submitted by a parent

Butler has great teachers and involved parents. When I got the call that Butler accepted my son's transfer from another elementary, I felt lucky and fortunate. This school is a shining example of what an elementary school should be.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is on the way to the fifth grade and, even now, I am considering paying for him to transfer to another school. The teachers only teach to pass the TAKS test so their scores remain high. They do not care personally for the students and it's extremely hard to schedule a conference. My son has been a straight A student since kindergarten but that's because I teach at home as well. The teacher informed me that in the upper-level classes, the work is given and the children at that level are expected to work it out. My son's friends are there and I'd to have to change schools but I think it's best. Additionally, parents (thus some students) are quite cliquish. So glad the principal is leaving!
—Submitted by a parent

Great schools start with great parents, quality support, and dedicated instructors. The parental support at this school is exceptional and sets the bar for the rest of the district. No other school has the dedication of the parents, dad's club, community involvement, this school has. I highly recommend Butler to anyone in the area. Great little neighborhood, fun neighbors, and just good people. Butler also has a new principal that has been the asst for a couple years. His leadership has been impressive and I look for Butler to inch up the academic rating under his guidance (even above where they are currently). Quality program for a public school!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Butler Elementary from 1st grade through 6th grade before graduating in 2004. I enjoyed my time at Butler very much - challenging academic curriculum, most of the teachers were excellent quality, and there was lots of parent involvement. Overall, an awesome school!

TOPS! Best of the best in Arlington, Tx. We have moved to another Arl school and it's NOwhere near the quality as Butler
—Submitted by a parent

Could not ask for a better educational enviroment. The parental involvment is outstanding and the teaching and admin staff is incredible. I am proud to say that my son goes to Butler and I know that he is proud to being going to this excellent school. Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school far exceeds any other school in that area. Butler does have serious parking and pick up issues. Other than that incredible school, both my boys have been there and one is still there.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter recently moved out of the sixth grade at Butler, and my son is about to enter the fourth grade. The teachers are excellent, the parental involvement is outstanding, and everyone is treated like one big family. Being a Butler Bronco is something to be proud of. One concern, however, is the fact that it is too small. This is a great environment for kids academically and socially, but I find I'm always squished from walking down the hallways to struggling for a parking spot. Great school, tight space.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is in kindergarten at Butler. We transfered to Butler and are very glad that we did. The learning environment at Butler is wonderful. There is great parental involvement that makes a world of difference. Some reviewers who were transfers complained about be treated like outsiders, but we have always felt welcome and are very active in the Dads Club and PTA. Your experience is what you put into it and there are plenty of volunteer opportunities at Butler. The school is rated exemplary virtually every year and is considered the best private school in Arlington that is a public school. We could not be prouder to be Butler Broncos.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but praise for Butler, I have seen my daughter grow both academically and socially during her time at Butler and I am thrilled to be sending my son there for Kindergarten this year. I would much rather deal with 'traffic flow' than sub-par teachers and adminstration. This school is a fantastic environment for kids, they have so much pride and spirit for their school! Proud to be a parent of two Butler Broncos!
—Submitted by a parent

From the great parental involvement to the dedicated staff, this environment creates a wonderful community for the children. Your children will leave this school confident, well rounded, and with great test scores. The great Butler Dad'd Club, PTA, Faculty, Parents, and Kids make events like Daddy/Daughter Dance, largest Chess club, Butler Family Fun Run, etc memorable events for a great school and generate such a family in the community, these kids love going to school. I have experienced other private schools in the area with other children and this ranks above them all in academics, staff committment, and overall experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Butler has gone downhill in the past 2 years. It used to be a neighborhood elementary, now it is open to everyone and crowd control needs immediate attention! Butler has a strict policy on tardiness but when you can't find a parking spot or drop off your children safely they need to take that into consideration. This school is just too small for the growing population and needs to improve. You now feel like a number here and if they get back to you, be pleased. Butler needs to improve badly. Plus, like stated previously, the homework needs to be reevaluated. A Butler mom
—Submitted by a parent

Good school that operates somewhat like a private school. Communication with teachers is very difficult. Increased micro-management has decreased the convenience of a once great little neighborhood school. It is now being watered down to the level of other surrounding elementary schools. Butler Elementary has taken a nose dive because of overcomplicated simple activities like dropping off and picking up children, paying for extra-curricula activities and fear of tardiness due to over crowding and decreased traffic flow. New restrictions for dropping off and picking up has become nightmarish. Students bring home so much homework that leaves limited time for wholesome family activities.
—Submitted by Butler-Dad, a parent

great school. Feels like a private school. Lots of parent involvement
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Butler. This is a very strong school academically, with excellent and dedicated teachers. socially, however, the school leaves something to be desired. It's a little on the cliquish side -- especially the parents -- but this is not surprising since there are families that have attended Butler for several generations. All in all, I'd give the school a B.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Butler for 5 years and have seen a change in that time. I have friends with children who went to Butler successfully and are now in college but I feel that the work has become more demanding, I currently have a second grader and its extremely different than it was 5 years ago with my other child. As wonderful as Butler may seem there are still some things that need work.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has changed somewhat in the last 2-3 years. I used to be a neighborhood school but it seems that this has changed. More people from outside the neighborhood boundaries are attending this school
—Submitted by a parent

My children started this school in Kindergarten. Kindergarten, First, third,and fifth were the most amazing experiences my children could have ever had. But, Second grade is much more difficult and the teachers are more demanding on rules and individual accountability than is necessary, although fourth grade was the most difficult of all. The pace is extremely fast and the amount of class and homework is overwhelming. My child began to hate school due to the pressure in this grade and I heard the same from many parents. My understanding from current fourth grade parents is that this has improved, but many parents agree fourth is the worst year of all. When I approached the administration and teachers about my childs need for assistance, I felt the response was not helpful but one of defensiveness and accusations. My child suffered a great deal emotionally and socially due to the lack of response.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful public school. Academically challenging and great parental support and participation. Located in a wonderful neighborhood that makes this public school seem like a private school.
—Submitted by a parent