Rutledge Elementary School

Starting our son at Rutledge this coming school year, in kindergardten. We have heard great things about this school and look forward to it.
—Submitted by a parent

We just love this school! There is a warm and friendly atmosphere at Rutledge and our kids are challenged on a daily basis. I have had nothing but support from the staff if any issues have come up, and the kids have fun there.
—Submitted by a parent

Virtually perfect. I can honestly say that I have not had one negative interaction with a teacher, staff member or administrator. Everyone seems to have his or her heart (and head) in the job 100%. They genuinely care about the students and parents. I feel like my child is getting an amazing education and is surrounded by well behaved children whose parents stay very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

All of the teachers that our children have had have been exceptional. We have been extremely pleased with Rutledge.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Good variety of standard and non-standard offerings.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has dyslexia and we have received exceptional support from everyone at the school. He loves going to school every day and delighted to visit with his previous teachers. Very low staff turnover make for a very stable environment - unlike other schools that seem to switch principal with each new year.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my daughter's first year and she's in 3rd grade. We were a little nervous since she'd never changed schools before but her first year at Rutledge has been a pleasure. She quickly made friends and the staff has just loved and supported her like I wouldn't have dreamed. She's been very successful academically as well and we've been impressed by the thoughtfulness and commitment of the staff to every child.
—Submitted by a parent

This was our daughters first year at this school as a Kinder. and was in Mrs. Steczkowskis class. I cannot praise her and the school enough! Parent involvement is amazing, students feel instantly loved, involved and proud of this school. So far I am pleased with their academic curriculum. I am concerned about growth already though. This school is in Avery Ranch and is the only elem. school in the entire neighborhood (which is a quite large neighborhood), and not all of Avery even is zoned to attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year in this phenomenal school, and we could not be happier! Rutledge has an incredible, child-centered atmosphere like no other, and the teaching staff is beyond compare. The administrative and office staff will bend over backwards to help parents, and there is a consistent focus on student success and safety. We have had children in 3 other elementary schools over the years, and we have never experienced the level of support and dedication to children's needs as we have found at Rutledge. This is by far the best school in the Austin area! Our children are loved and encouraged daily, and we feel certain that they are receiving the best educational experience possible.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been our first year at Rutledge and we have loved it! I've felt that my child has had a great year of learning, friendship and fun. We moved here from another state and the academic quality of Rutledge is far superior to the school we came from.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, we have been very pleased with our daughter's experience at Rutledge. However, unlike other posters, our 'problem kids' have not been the kids from a disadvantaged socio-economic background, but from a few kids who live in Avery Ranch. My daughter was in the Pre-K program for english second language students and students who met income requirements last year. I have never met a nicer group of parents or kids! We had a Halloween party and met at parks throughout the year. This year our daughter is in Kinder and we are extremely happy with Mrs. Martin! Her classroom is always open to parents, she always has an excess of volunteers and I haven't once heard her raise her voice. The school is very responsive to concerns and we have been pleased with our daughter's academic progress. Though the principal is never available to meet Mr. Perkins (vice-principal) is very attentive.
—Submitted by a parent

We actually moved to Avery Ranch specifically so our child could go to this school, after meeting the principal the summer before. She is awesome. It takes a while for a volunteer program to get going, but it's already very effective. At Rutledge there were about 100 volunteers at the Volunteer Orientation. LISD zoning includes some lower income areas, but we feel this is better (more balanced) than having a homogenous population of wealthy kids. I volunteered to teach Spanish last year and never saw a discipline problem. It is no surprise to me that Rutledge was nearly rated Exemplary on TAKS in its first year (I don't think the data has been published yet). Watch this school. I predict it will be #1 in the district within 2 years.
—Submitted by Ed Downs, a staff

While Rutledge does have a population of lower socio-economic students, they are not the majority as seems to be indicated in previous opinions and provide much-needed diversity to the population. The neighborhood these students live in is not near the school and they are being temporarily zoned to Rutledge, so that will also change as Leander re-zones over the next two years. The staff and administration are excellent - the best school my children have attended, hands-down. As far as parental involvment, this was the first year Rutledge was open, and it is pretty hard to get parent volunteer programs up and running from scratch. Most schools have had years to build them up, and Rutledge will be there, too, in a few years. I thought involvement was excellent considering the number of students (low 400's), the population of lower socio-economic families, and it being the first year.
—Submitted by a parent

Although I am pleased with the staff overall, I am disappointed with the academic level at Rutledge, as well as the seeming lack of discipline. As indicated in the other review, there are a number of students from disadvanted homes, which I believe has contributed to Rutledge getting off to a rough start. This may change over the next few years, as I hope it will. It would be nice to see more parental involvement at Rutledge as well. It may help to solve some of the discipline issues. On the other hand, Rutledge does encourage creativity and self-expression. I just think they need to find a balance between free-spirited and safety and discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

Rutledge Elementary has more government assist/low income students than middle class income students in attendance. As well as more sub-standard students at this school than other Leander ISD schools which hinders learning for the average and accelerated students.
—Submitted by a parent