Forest North Elementary School

We moved to Austin from Houston and I was so nervous about enrolling my daughter at Forest North due to some of the reviews. My husband and I decided to go ahead and put my daughter in this school despite the reviews and see for ourselves. This was the best decision we ever made!! My daughter made sommany friends and thanks to her teachers especially her 4th grade teacher Ms. Guerra, my daughter has flourished so much. Her grades have gone up and she has gotten so much better with her shyness. The school has offered her so much help with her classes and staying focused on her schooling, that she got her very first honor roll in the 5th grade. I will definately be putting my son at this school for PRe-K. Great Job Forest North and Thank you again!
--Submitted by a parent

I am going to add to the recent comment made about Forest North. To the rating of one star. I am a member of the PTA and deal with the school, (because of my son) on a daily basis. The school has many things for student and parent involvement. They have running club in the mornings, library family night once a month, and the Assistant Principal has put in grants for that and for parent math boxes to check out. Many other things. I have delt with the assistant principal directly she has been great to the students and staff. the principal has always givin me a smile, my son has to get his behavior paper signed every day by her, and he has said nothing but good things about her. All public schools have standard teaching materials, however the teachers at this school have been very creative.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school situation I could have anticipated for my daughter. The kinder classes are more focused on ideas and concepts than academics. Personally, I send my daughter to school for a traditional academic education, to include reading-counting-writing-math and social skills. Not to fluff the staff's ego. The teachers are substandard, the principle is a dictator who rules her staff and the students with fear. The staff doesn't even respect her. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have moved intentionally to another district and specifically a different school. If you want your child to be forced into a cookie-cutter mold, with no room for individuality, acceleration and no focus on true academics beyond a TAKS test, then this school will be a perfect match.
--Submitted by a parent

I liked the attention from the administration office, really promptly and focus. I also like the security system that they have. Also the extra activities are really interesting and encourage the selve confidence of the kids. Although I think they can improve the organization of schedules because is a little complicated to follow. The PTA really good with their ideas and participation. Also the cafeteria services really well organized and administrated.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has now graduated from Forest North. The principal is motivated and has a hands-on approach. The school needs to be more discerning about the quality of teachers. It would also benefit the school overall if it recognized students based on their performance and merit rather than being swayed by the influence of parents. Some parents are in the forefront of school activities and that is indeed commendable. But should that parental involvement translate as an eagle pride certificate for their child or several photographs of the same students in the yearbook? This is where I think the administration could step in and ensure a level of fairness while at the same time acknowledging parents' involvement in other ways. I am ofcourse not suggesting this bias creeps in every time. Overall this schools has improved over the years and Mrs. Josselet (Grade 1), PE, Art, and Music teachers are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

I am pulling my daughter out of this school as soon as the year is over. The school staff are unorganized and do not listen to parent concerns. There is a lack of consistency also. It's a shame that the few wonderful teachers at this school have to follow such poor leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

My Sons are studying at Forest North Elementary School. I took right decision to put my kids in this school. I appreciate Mary Patterson the Principal her hard work for studyies. We are very happy about my kids. Really, Great school and very systematic. thanks Dora. karuturi
--Submitted by a parent

My Daughter is In Forest North and we are very happy that we took the decision of putting her in this school. I really appreciate Mary Patterson the Principal for her commitment to the school and she is very active and friendly. My daughter likes this school and all the students are given equal opportunity and importance.
--Submitted by Sudhakar Karumuri, a parent

I too have been at Forest North for 3 years and am very happy with the school overall. The teachers and leadership are excellent. I have not seen the turnover rate the previous parent talked about, rather the school is growing so fast they keep adding more teachers and classes. My child's teacher has been there for 16 years. The art, PE and music program are very good although, I would like to see more academic programs. We just had a terrific performance of 'Frog and Toad: All Year Round' in which the students had singing, speaking and choreographed parts. My biggest concern at this time, is lack of space for existing students - how may portables can you have before the district says enough. However, I think this is a district wide concern.
--Submitted by a parent

While the school is old (25+ years) I see that the staff maintains the facility as stewards! They make do with the increasing population with prudent use of portables, placing the computer lab in the library, coverting art room to music, etc. The principal has impressed me with concern for the children's safety during the road construction.
--Submitted by a parent