Nyos - Magnolia McCullough Campus

There is nothing not to like about NYOS. There are fantastic teachers, excellent staff and the academics are far above any local school. I wouldn't hesitate to send my child here for the remainder of her schooling.
--Submitted by a parent

NYOS (Not Your Ordinary School) has become very ordinary. At least the Elementary campus, that is. Since the current principal came on board there have been lots of changes that have negatively affected this school, in my opinion. The principal does not listen to nor does she care about what the parents want and went as far as changing the structure of the charter without parent approval. She has also changed the nature of the curriculum from active life learning (field trips, involving familes, etc.) to now following the Round Rock ISD curriculum, which is not bad, but definitely ordinary. Since funding is limited, there is no nurse or librarian. They boast of their teacher/student ratio, but our local public school has the same. Many great teachers have left since the current principal arrived, and just like any "ordinary" school, some teachers are great, some are okay and some are bad.
--Submitted by a parent

After years of struggling it seems that NYOS is finally getting a little more organized. Far removed from the experience we had at the Gessner campus of long ago. They still need to work on discipline issues and teacher retention. Although the teachers are educated most are young with no children of their own. This makes a HUGE difference. Not that childless teachers are bad by any means, just as a parent they reach a new level of understanding.
--Submitted by a parent

Since NYOS split into two campus, I have had at least one child at the Magnolia Campus. The k-3grade program doubled in size when they took over the Magnolia school. With the growth, the school went through some major changes. This year is our third on this campus and things have started off great. My son loves his teacher; she's very organized and has great communication and is very patient. I have a wonderful relationship with the principle and staff. I'm very pleased with his progress and growth.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a review of the elementary grades: As a parent, I have been very disappointed in the lack of a clear-cut discipline policy (grades pre k-5). The school also has terrible bullying issues--which the administration refuses to address. I've withdrawn my children because I didn't feel it was worth my drive every day. Besides, the school's 'curriculum writer' is simply plugging in everything from the Round Rock ISD. Sorry to say that NYOS is 'Just Your Ordinary School'
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of the school was average. I found the school to lack in direction and organization. The level of parent involvment had high expections with little turn out. There seemed to be a few families who did everything and many families who did very little to participate. They have potential to be good, but I feel the school lacks in good leadership to bring the whole thing together. With the school being owned by an individual, the wishes of the individual had a tendancy to over take what might have been best for the school. The extracurricular activities at the Gessner location were non existant! The Lamar campus always seemed to have all of the new equipment and technology with the Gessner location being left like an orphan.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent I am very disappointed with the campus. I have no idea if the newer, bigger campus is cleaner with better security but the Gessner campus is lacking. No across the board disciplinary measures taken, therefore kids behaving badly! I put my daughter here thinking she would get more individualized attention. Instread she has fallen behind due to the fact she cannot concentrate because of the kaiotic atmosphere. Homework that has been checked off by the teacher is wrong so it is up to the parent to correct and explain where the student has gone wrong. I would not recommend Nyos.
--Submitted by a parent

At this time this school has received a unacceptible rating that I feel does not give credit to the many things areas that are important for a good school. The depth of caring the teachers show and the low student to teacher ratio has given my children the confidence and self-esteem that I feel will carry them far in life. The teachers and the school are working hard to bring the rating up and that to me is very important. The staff cares about the children! On the other hand the extreme lack of extra-curricular activities is a concern. The parental involement is high. We have very dedicated parents who spend many volunteer hours working with the children during lunch and through-out the day to help suppliment the teaching staff.
--Submitted by a parent