Canyon Vista Middle School

This is not a school for special ed students. The culture is negative for slower learners.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent with children currently attending this school, and as a teacher myself (but not at this school), I congratulate the teachers at Canyon Vista for always holding students accountable for their own learning, for keeping expectations high, and for going the extra mile to help students whenever they need it. I also appreciate the administration for instituting the sixth grade "Mustang Discovery" elective, which requires sixth graders to learn study/organizational skills, leadership skills, and technology skills. Anyone who knows anything about the challenges that public educators face should be highly impressed the quality of this school. In addition, CVMS receives annual excellent ratings along with one of its feeder schools, Laurel Mountain, and the area high school, Westwood. Their latest kudos come from the nonprofit Children at Risk, which ranks thousands of schools statewide based on standardized test and college entrance exam performance, attendance rates and graduation rates, among other factors. All three of these schools topped this organization's rankings. My children all currently attend these schools, and I could not be more pleased with their educations.
—Submitted by a parent

It's hard to argue with quality of the academics and the academic competition. I think they have gone a little over the top on the rigidity with the new administration, but the reasoning is usually to prevent any class disruptions. So that makes it harder to argue with. Excellent academic preperation at what is probably the most competitive Middle School in RRISD. The arts programs are excellent and the Chior program has improved dramatically. Located in NW in a cluster of nice neighborhoods, with a nice quality fo life, green space component.
—Submitted by a parent

Canyon Vista is the perfect middle school if your child is a tag (talented & gifted) student. If your child has a learning disability it is a hostile environment. Teachers and admin band together to cover-up mistakes and provide as little accomodation to the special needs students. Teachers are impatient and aggressive with slower paced students. I actually had the 504 coordinator, Julie Engelmann, tell me my child with adhd just needs to try harder to pay attention in class. The exceptions have been the Art and Orchestra classes and teachers. They have been patient, caring and above average.
—Submitted by a parent

Moved into the area because I heard good things about the school. I am a bit disappointed because I have seen a lot of rigidity and rules, combined with a lack of respect for students. Guess this is what happens when you teach to the TAKS tests, a flaw in all Texas public schools. The one exception is Band: all of the band instructors are very warm and the kids love them.
—Submitted by a parent

Great staff, facilities, strong community & unique camaraderie.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has practically everything!
—Submitted by a student

Canyon Vista is a middle school with high-potential students. However, the enthusiasm of the students at CaVMS is limited. Sometimes, these students don't really try to learn just for the love of learning, and most of the teachers are not very energetic. This school is above average, but not so much that they would be considered as a 'top-notch' high school.

I remember my first days attending this outstanding middle school-I was simply blown away by the awesomness of the school. Not only does it have a high academic standard, but its Fine Arts division is very impressive and fun, and its exterior and interior are well cared for. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! It cannot even be compared to Grisham or Cedar Valley Middle School!
—Submitted by a student

it is awesome every one loves it and its a great school! You learn alot and they make learning fun.
—Submitted by a student

CaVMS is an excellent school. It has great students, teachers, and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Although we have been impressed with the teaching for the most part, it is enormously frustrating when the teachers use the 'team' approach to avoid discussing a student's progress in one particular class. Parents and that one teacher need to discuss and resolve any issues with the student involved. Not every teacher in the student's day needs to be involved in the discussion of that one class. Teachers hide behind others to avoid specifics. It is a great way to disguise disinterest or incompetence and it is used too often. A group evaluation is useless if there are issues in only one class. When so many students in that one class have those issues, questions are rasied yet the team approach deflects accountability from that one teacher involved.
—Submitted by a parent

Canyon Vista is a great school. The Band, and Choir are good and the Orchestra is Fantastic. Academically this school is one of the finest in Austin and is probably one of the best in RRISD.
—Submitted by a former student

Outstanding school! Best of all neighboring areas. Excellent in every category.
—Submitted by a parent