Mills Elementary School

Among the more excellent, high achieving primary schools in AISD. Veteran teachers and consistently high test scores. Suffering the same budget crunches as most schools these days. My kids have performed well here and seem highly motivated...
--Submitted by a parent

crowded and the children suffer
--Submitted by a parent

Mills is an excellent school overall. However, some of the faculty and staff don't seem to be responsive to the needs of children who have undiagnosed disabilities, especially disabilities that manifest as behavioral difficulties. That said, if your child is normal, gifted, or has an identified disability, Mills provides a top-notch learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

To the previous parent let me say this: Mills tends to track children by abilities though this isn't stated officially. If you are looking for more challenges for your child, ask for it in a letter to the Principal. There is a great amount of variance in the levels of the classes. As to 'feelings and self-worth' being too much of a focus, look at the literature. It all points to the profound value in elementary school education providing the social and community characteristics we want. Mills has some of the most open minded well adjusted tolerant children you will find anywhere. They are kind to people with learning differences and disabilities. They support each other and have learned the value of kindness. This is a direct result of the culture of values fostered by the administration at Mills. As your child gets older you will come to appreciate it.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in 1st grade at Mills. I agree that there are some excellent teachers. The VP is excellent and really engages the children. The school is far over capacity and that is noticable. My husband and I feel that there is too much emphasis on feelings and self-worth rather than true academics. What happened to reading, writing and arithmatic?
--Submitted by a parent

Mills is the best school in SW Austin. How we lucked into being in its boundaries when moving from another city was nothing short of kismet. The professionalism of the administration and the parent involvement are exemplary. Little wonder that 'exemplary' is the rating we get every year. Go Mountain Lions!
--Submitted by a parent

We removed our son from a neighboring school and placed him in Mills. He is now loved and finally educated at Mills. We have found the staff to be professional yet loving. They don't seem to worry so much about the 'test' as and therefore the quality of education is higher and more individualized. We truly couldn't be happier with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't begin to imagine what the last review was addressing - in fact I question that it is regards to my children's' school at all. The Administration consists of a Caucasian woman, and African-American man, and an Hispanic woman. I think if they lacked diversity training it would severely impact their working relationship! As a parent of children now entering 1st and 4th, I can say that concerns, suggestions, and involvement are a top priority for the Admin, staff, and teachers. My younger son has both learning and behavioral issues, while my older son is asthmatic and in G/T. Clearly my needs run the gamut, and they have all been met beyond expectation. I couldn't begin to recommend this school more wholeheartedly. - Traci Anderson (not anonymous)
--Submitted by a parent

I removed my child from this school. The administration and faculty are lacking in professionalism and in need of diversity training. Administration want parents to think that their concerns, suggestions and involvement is applauded but you will be set aside and labeled as a difficult parent and child. The caliber of education that my child received was reprehensible. I suggest that parents familiarize themselves with their Legislative Representatives, memorize their phone numbers. Knowing this and the State Education Committee information is just as important as knowing the Pediatricians telephone number.
--Submitted by a parent

Mills is an outstanding school. They really build the children's self-esteem and besides just teaching the required math and reading, they try to teach them who to be polite and how to look out for the younger children. Even though it has a large number of students, the school really cares about all the kids.
--Submitted by Kilroy, a parent