Austin International School

This is school is ok. If you want soem languages then I guess your money can be worth it; otherwise it has a lots of floss, and both my hsuband and I work in education and are educators. There are plenty of little things we are not ahppy with, especially the way the school si run.
--Submitted by a parent

What is the current status of teacher qualifications as of now (Sept. 2011). What is done/has been done to ensure an improved and continually improving academic level?

We couldn't be happier about AIS. My wife and I both work in education -- she is a middle school teacher with two masters degrees (Curriculum and Instruction and Library Sciences) and I have a JD and currently getting my master of C&I. We completely agree with the path of this school, its multi-cultural identity, and the progress our daughter has made there. Our daughter's teachers are very responsive and attentive to our child, and very accessible to us. We have been very pleased with the updates/reports they issue and progress we've seen.
--Submitted by a parent

Give me a break...."very involved and supportive parent community" If they could get over themselves, maybe! I have never before been involved in such a competitive environment. An entirely new parent organization last year, due to high turnover! I can't say that parent involvement is a positive that I would list for Austin International School. Yes, involved, but in a negative way! Too much conflict!
--Submitted by a parent

overrated! Don't waste your money! Most of the teachers are not qualified to teach in the US, let alone Texas. The turnover is high, and most of them are only qualified to teach in France. I pulled my daughter out after learning how unqualified the teachers really are. One of the Spanish teachers just recently became certified, she has been teaching there for years! Two years ago they hired another teacher from Spain, she of course didn't last long, her experience was with teaching adults, not our children! Right now they have a French teacher that is two years away from receiving a degree. I don't know about you, but I believe my child deserves an education from qualified professionals, this is not dress rehearsal! My daughter will never get a second chance at her elementary education!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves AIS. I'm impressed with her academic and social acheivements while attending AIS. She is learning and is a happy student. I would highly recommend this school! The school is expanding to middle school and my daughter will have the opportunity to grow with AIS.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has benefitted greatly from being a student at AIS. Because of the small class size, teachers are able to closely monitor the progress of the students. My child has learned a lot (in 3 languages) not only in the classroom but also by experiencing different cultures firsthand through schoolwide activities such as the international week and science fair. The academic program is very challenging under which my child thrives. Leadership and management at the school is very strong and I am pleased with the new head of school's vision for AIS. The AIS parent community is very involved and supportive.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school ! Friendly and inclusive community. DEdicated teachers and staff. A principal involved in the success of the students and a visionary board of trustees. I have been sending my children to AIS for 4 years and i have been impressed by the level of progress! Wonderful experience for my children ! They love their teachers and I love the academic rigor !
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke, don't waist your money. One of the most expensive private schools in Austin, largely not one of the best. They said they would provide a special English program for my daughter but did not even taught her the ABC. Some teachers don't even correct homework. They bill daycare even though she doesn't go to daycare. They leave children speaking and playing in classrooms while the teacher does who knows what at his desk, not paying attention to kids. Now my daughter is left alone with a computer to learn English... What a disappointment and a waste of time for my daughter! Definitely not a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

I am writing this comment as a school administrator. Since 2004, Austin International School has progressed through significant changes and is quite a different place from the earlier years. Since 2004, new management, including a new executive director and board members, has been installed. The school is now fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and will be accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in 2010. In spring of 2009, the school entered into a partnership with the Spanish Ministry of Education to share teaching resources and school support, and to refer qualified Spanish teachers to AIS. The enrollment has increased to about 145 students. The staff has increased in quanitity and quality, and continues to draw talented native-speaking teachers from France, England, America, Mexico, and more. Curriculum has advanced in keeping with these changes.