Wells Branch Elementary School

The principal is cold, rude, and treats parents as a necessary annoyance that must be kept at arms-length. Information from her and the administrators is not at all forthcoming, and when more information is sought, there is a definite "stay-away" message that parents receive from her and her staff. As a result, parent involvement is reduced to a small handful of dedicated PTA board members. Students are low in morale, and don't see the point of going to school, turning in assignments. I'll be glad to be leaving WBE.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids at this elementary school, 5th, 3rd, and 1st. Their teachers are all exceptional, and they take the time to talk to me, about my kids and how they are doing. It really feels like a collabrative effort for their education. As a parent, I believe parent involvment makes or breaks a school. The PTA at Wells Branch is awsome! The teachers encourage my help, and the principal and vice principal listen to my concerns. Even though it is overcrowded we are making it work.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is overcrowded. The teachers are stressed and are not getting enough support. My daughter is bored, and I have asked to have her moved into the gifted classes, but that is not how RRISD works. Being a single parent on a major budget I can ill afford to send her to private school, or pay for after school enrichment activities. I moved to this area as I heard good things about the school, but I am dissapointed to be sure. Thank goodness for hebrew school and the library!
--Submitted by a parent

Great staff and super teachers.The one time we had an issue with bullying it was diffused swiftly in a professional manner. The teachers are committed emotionally as well as professionally and really care about the kids. We will miss the WBE family.
--Submitted by a parent

My children are currently in 3rd and 1st grades, they have been at Wells Branch elem for their entire school careers. I have been very pleased with the diverse make-up of the school. The teachers have gone out of their way to make an effort to accomodate every child. I do feel that discipline problems of some students should be addressed in a fashion that does not effect the entire class. Our principal has made an effort to know every child.
--Submitted by a parent

My sone attended K and 1st here under previous principal. We were impressed by the teachers and admin staff. They all gave 110%. His 1st grade teacher was by far the best we've seen. If you look at the cultural and societal make-up of WBE, you'll see children of all backgrounds and, in my opinion, the staff is doing an amazing job of keeping all the children learning and on course. They have good rules to prevent distractions in the class rooms. We're now at a highly rated school in the same district and I wish it had the same staff, faculty, and structure of WBE.
--Submitted by a parent

From what I have heard around the neighborhood, multiple teachers are leaving WBE due to things going on on the campus. As a parent I am only privy to so much information, but I do know several are leaving. It makes sense that lack of support would cause good teachers to go elsewhere. I guess maybe I should be thankful this is my daughter's last year there.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers at this school truely are amazing. They are the most dedicated group of professionals I have ever come across in the school system. They do whatever it takes for your children, inspire of the lack of support from the principal. She is basically non-existent from what I can tell, working 3-4 full days a week. When she is there, she is condesending and cold. She doesn't seem to encourage her teachers or help them out. They appear to do their jobs inspire of her. Still, because of the faculty, I will keep my child at WBE because I know her teachers are the best there are. I just hope they stay.
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest daughter attended WBE from K-5. Under the previous principal, Ms. Taylor, (whom the children absolutely adored) the children were taught self control, pride, respect and good behavior. She led the children with a calm gentle voice and without fear. Under the new principal, Ms. Cini, I see the children less under control, the cafeteria is much louder, and the behavior is wilder at the school sponsored public events. It's a shame that the gentle leadership is going away.
--Submitted by a parent

First let me start by saying the WBE has some of the best trained and most competent teachers I have ever seen. They work hard to promote the learning of all students. I disagree that they do not challenge higher students. The fact that the commended and passing rates on TAKS are rising is proof these teachers are giving 110%. Regardless the make up of the community, I would much rather my children be at WBE where I have seen proof amazing teachers still exist. You could not ask for a more didicated or hard working faculty.
--Submitted by a parent