Baranoff Elementary School

WE moved into the neighborhood so my son could attend Baranoff and track to Bowie High School. Baranoff Elementary is about involvement; students, teachers school administrators and parents. Working together our children get a quality education. The teachers are great and work with the students. The administration works to keep the school at a high quality level. This is my son's fifth year and we couldn't be happier with his education. To be honest, I didn't think that AISD had a school above average, I was wrong. We had a small "bump" in the road and it was ironed out by speaking with the principal and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Baranoff Elementary School is such a wonderful school! I can't say enough about it, really. My children have grown and blossomed in so many ways through the remarkable efforts of the tremendous teaching staff. I'm amazed at how dedicated the staff is to providing a learning environment that is focused and caring at the same time. Each year my children have been placed with a teacher who has been able to encourage and stretch them in so many ways that my children themselves are surprised by what they have learned and what they can do. I do not think Baranoff is perfect, but I do think that the willingness to try new things and approaches says much about how involved and invested the administration is to making it a top school in Austin. The willingness to hear new ideas and feedback from parents is commendable.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school with a very caring staff and wonderful teachers. I have multiple children at Baranoff with very different needs. Every year we get all of our needs met, and then some, whether it be in the gifted program or the reading program with tutoring. The teachers always go the extra mile in helping all children excel. The staff are helpful and willing to lend a hand when you have questions. The more our family gets involved at Baranoff, the more we realize what a special and unique community this school offers. Baranoff teachers and staff are the best!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This year will be my eighth year as a parent of a student at Baranoff and I have to say we have enjoyed every year. My two children have very different personalities and educational needs and both have been taken care of impeccably. We have had great teachers who are supported by an amazing administration that takes the time and energy to assure each and every child gets the education that best suits their needs. You hear everyday that the quality of public education is going down each and every year, I can say that this is not the case at Baranoff, the staff, administration and parents strive every hour of everyday to make it the best possible environment for learning and they have succeeded in accomplishing just that.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is horrendous and I am thrilled my child will no longer be attending this school. My child was accused of being a bully by a bully and her father, and the principal promised all sorts of investigations and reports that she would give to us, then she promptly "dropped" us and gave us nothing. I would not be surprised if she was related to that child and her father. I did report her to the Ombudsman with AISD, and I stand by my complaint. The girl who reported my daughter was involved in another incident with another child before, and that girl ended up with a broken wrist. If you have any choice at all, run, run the other way and go to a different school, at least until this inept principal leaves or is fired.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been thrilled with our son's education at Baranoff. He was in private school for 3 years, and then we enrolled him at Baranoff since it has an excellent reputation. We have yet to be dissatisfied! Prior to being accepted into the gifted and talented math program, his teacher recognized his above average abilities in math, and she took it upon herself to structure his math lessons in a manner that challenged him. He is now in the GT program and doing great! We gave been very impressed by the principal and vice-principal's constant communication about all the happenings of the school. The teachers they hire have been exemplary too! There is a ton of parental involvement on all levels, and the PTA works their tails off to ensure a great place for all the students. Baranoff consistently maintains exemplary status through TEA, and as a family, we can see why. Baranoff will not dissappoint you. I am confused by some of the negative comments posted here.
—Submitted by a parent

Baranoff is a great school and my child had a great 3rd grade year. However, I am concerned about some of the parent involvement. I was actually called by one of the classmate's moms to discuss the teacher and get my opinion on issues. My child was very successful and I am concerned this one overbearing parent is negatively affecting the teacher's credibility. I wish the school administrators would put a stop to this type of interference. Perhaps her son didn't have a great year but I know all of the kids in the class loved the teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started kindergarten this year at Baranoff and she has learned so much. She's already reading second grade level books and has learned so much about science. Her teacher is always willing to discuss about her progress in class and very accessible. Parents are very much involve in daily classroom activities as well as other main school events. The school really encourages parents to get involve in daily teaching/learning process. We're very happy with the school and her home room teacher. Baranoff deserves an A+ for overall rating.
—Submitted by a parent

Coming from another state I have been shocked at the non-existent gifted and talented programs for our children in the Austin ISD, especially the elementary school system. It is sad that the schools can support the children with learning disablities but not the ones with higher IQs. As soon as possible I will leave this school and Austin ISD.
—Submitted by a parent

Baranoff is a great school, but for kids who are below in there grade level, it takes a while to the red tape going at this school. My first son now in 4th had leavring difficulites from K thru 2nd and he got the extra tutoring he needed and did great on teh TAKS I did not like the fact that they did not give them certificate or medals as they told he kids they would...my son got all A's and all 4's on behavior so he received the principal's award...But my youngest son will go thru the same way my oldest did and hopefully by the time he takes the TAKS in 3 yrs he will be where his brother was.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed in the 5th Grade awards cermony this year. When all year long all we hear about is TAKS testing and then students who worked hard to get commended are not allowed to be recognized. Students were honored with the principal and presidential awards for getting all A's and 4's but couldn't be recognized for making commended on the TAKS scores. Last year the explanation was because it would make the children that didn't receive commended feel bad. Being recognized for all A's and 4's doesn't make the children who only received A's and B's or no A's al all not feel bad about themselves. I think this is a double standard.
—Submitted by a parent

Baranoff is wonderful....great teachers especially Mrs. Perez for 1st grade. She is excellent--very caring and loving and knowledgeable. My son loves it here and I see he has learned so much for one year. I'm very impressed with this school and I'm so excited that my second son will join next Fall. Thanks to all the staff at Baranoff, you all really make a difference in the lives of the children that attend here.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, TAKS scores drive the funding train instead of traditional, relevant reasons to educate children. The leadership and priorities of the system must be overhauled at every level.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have to agree with all the parents out there stating that Baranoff is an elementary school for kids that don't have any issues whatsoever. My son does not have any learning disabilities, but we were constantly made to feel like he did and we felt pressured to the point where we finally took him out of public school and put him in a private school. Not surprisingly, he has been on the Honor Roll all this year with all A's, plus has earned Citizenship Awards, spelling awards, to name a few. Now, who has the problem here? Seems pretty cut and dried to me.
—Submitted by a parent

I am surprised by the last comment. My child has learning needs and I have met with both the new Assistant Principal and Principal and they have genuinely listened to my concerns. In fact, the school will have his assessed for learning disabilities. Baranoff also just had a PTA guest speaker on learning disabilities.
—Submitted by a parent

Baranoff is one of those schools that is fine if your child does not have any learning, cognitive, or emotional issues, or in fact, issues of any type. Otherwise, forget it, they don't want to deal with you because it takes energy away from their precious exemplary rating. There is a lot more that makes a school exemplary than TAKS scores, and Baranoff does not have it!
—Submitted by a parent

My child went to Baranoff for 5 years and he received an excellent education. He was in the GT program and makes 100% on the TAKS every year. I feel he was challenged as a student but that they could have even better programs for GT. And when I did encounter a problem I felt that they wanted to blame the child when it was the teachers fault. No school wants to admit they are doing anything wrong and they protect eachother. They did get my problems resolved and it's a better school for it. I am about to enroll another child in this school with no hesitation. It's a great school with mostly great teachers. Remember, they are the one's with your child every day.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with other reviewers that the school is good as long as your child fits within the mainstream at grade level. If they are above grade level or accelerated in any way, it has been very difficult to have a curriculum adjustment for them. My child is a GT student but I can't for the life of me figure out how he receives extra or additional guidance to help improve his skills, logic ability, appreciation beyond normal classroom skills, etc. And, I have been told many times that my child is mis-behaving... something most elementary age kids do when they are bored!! There is parental involvement at the school but it seems very hard as a working parent to find a good way to engage.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers expect every child to be exactly the same. If your child is in any way different from the rest of the children in his/her class, expect them to be treated as though they have issues. These teacher don't seem to have the skills to work with children who may have learning or other disabilities. They also lack knowledge of new or creative techniques. I am led to believe that there is no ongoing training available to these teachers due to their lack in capability to work with others who are not just like them. The atmosphere is not very culturally diverse and you can feel this as soon as you walk onto the school grounds. As soon as I can, I plan on getting my child out of this terrible school. Very disappointed!
—Submitted by a parent

The Baranoff staff pressures kids like crazy to get their Exemplary status. And the parents are super competitive.
—Submitted by a parent