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GreatSchools Rating

Bray Elementary School

Public | PK-4

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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14 reviews of this school


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Posted July 31, 2012

Bray is a fantastic school and was recently recognized with a national Blue Ribbon. Teachers and staff care so much for the students it shows everywhere. The Robotics and Spelling teams routinely blow away their middle school competition despite the age disadvantage. Their biggest competition come from Bray alumni :). Parental involvement is strong, it's sometimes hard to tell the parents from the staff! The district recently revamped (generous term) the administration and some teachers, but I'm confident enough remain to maintain excellent results. If you're lucky enough to live in Bray's enrollment area, take advantage of the school! You'll need your money for private middle schools!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 11, 2012

I have worked at Bray Elementary for the past 5 years... The teachers and administration strive to give the best education to each and every student. There are high expectations for both academics and behavior. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on the fine arts program. Parent volunteers coordinate and teach art for every grade level. The Character Chorus program works hard to reach out to the community and the world at large. Finally, the Orchestra program teaches students fundamentals on string instruments. Bray strives to mold a well-rounded student and is very successful in everything they attempt. The school earned Blue Ribbon status this year!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted August 31, 2011

AMAZING STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS!!! My daughter attended the school and she had an awesome experience academically, socially, and artistically....
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 8, 2011

I think if this school continues to put the students first and the staff continues to give 110%, they will remain exemplarary.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2009

I have had my children in this school for 3yrs and i love it. The teachers are all fantastic they care for your child deeply and honestly. The teachers work together with as a whole not just as a grade level. The parent involvement at this school is remarkable, the parents aswell as the teachers, staff including the cafeteria staff all become one huge family. I would not go to any other school. This school shows character thru and thru including the other 5 pillards!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 10, 2009

I have two children who have attended this school since Pre-K. There is parent involvement but a lot the parents are only in it for the benefit of their child and not the school as a whole. I was a parent volunteer and my time was not appreciated. The teachers and staff get away with a lot because they are 'buddies' with the principal. For the most part, you can't get a straight answer from the staff about policies, no one wants to help, you'll get pushed around from one staff employee to another. They have a lot activities but unless you are considered a VIP, your child will get left out of those special activities.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 11, 2009

My child has gone to Bray since kindergarten, and is now in second grade. The principal and staff are very dedicated to the school and students. My daughter has many friends in private school, and I can see that her education has been just as good or better than theirs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 22, 2008

While this used to be a good school, it has gone downhill in the last few years. Many of the master teachers have left. Among those that have stayed or been recently hired, about half are good and really care about the kids. However, the other half seem to be there only for a paycheck and do only the minimum needed. Several of the staff are fairly good and willing to help. Before you enroll your child in this school, please check out the teacher carefully and talk to several parents who have had the teacher for their own kids. There is still parental involvement in the school which is good but many in recent years have been leaving so I don't know how long this will last.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 20, 2008

This is a wonderful school for any child. My daughter has been attending Bray since Kindergarten and is in her last year as a 4th grader. I have enjoyed the experience with the teachers and staff. I participate on the PTA Board and where I can clearly see parent and teachers working together for the greater good, 'our children'. I highly recommend this school to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 1, 2006

Bray Elementary has an excellent academic program and very caring teachers. Of all the schools in the district this is the one that offers the most to students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2006

I have a child that has been at Bray 1st - 4th, great teachers, it has been a pleasure. They have a good aftercare at the school as well. It is a small school with alot of parent involvement, and in a great location in Cedar Hill!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2006

Bray is the oldest school in CHISD. The building itself is old, but well maintainted. Unfortunately, the Kindergarten classes are in portables outside the building. The student body is small and manageble. I would say parents are involved, but less than I am used to at our previous school. There have been some disagreements between the administration of the school and parents regarding overall schedule changes (reduction in art/ music/ pe) this year. As I understand it, this is a new development. The student body is diverse therefore a lot of attention is paid to diversity education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2006

Bray is an excellent school! The teachers and parents are actively involved in children's education. Would highly recommend this school to everyone!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 14, 2005

Bray Elementary was the only Elementary School, the only school in Cedar Hill to receive an Exemplary rating last year.
—Submitted by Tammy, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 87% in 2011.

43 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
94%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

43 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 88% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
85%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
85%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

64 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
91%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education100%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Reading

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education100%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talentedn/a
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Reading

All Students98%
Female97%
Male100%
Black or African American97%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talentedn/a

Writing

All Students98%
Female97%
Male100%
Black or African American97%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talentedn/a
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Exemplary".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Exemplary".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Exemplary".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 47% 14%
White 27% 34%
Hispanic 23% 48%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 6%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 6%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 6%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 57%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 21%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 41%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 21%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 5%N/A23%
21 or more years 13%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

218 N Broad St
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 291-4231

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