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GreatSchools Rating

Ben Milam Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 274 students
 

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  • As a former teacher at Ben Milam, I disagree with the previous parent's...

  • The current principal stepped into a golden opportunity. There has been very...

  • Ben Milam is one of the best schools in the DISD. The Principal and staff...

  • All my children have attended Ben Milam.. and I love it!! The teachers are...

  • The Principal, Teachers, and all Staff are GREAT at Ben Milam. I am very...

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Based on 14 ratings
Community Rating by Year
2013:
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2012:
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2011:
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2010:
Based on 4 ratings

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10 reviews of this school

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Posted September 20, 2010
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As a former teacher at Ben Milam, I disagree with the previous parent's review. This school does have very dedicated teachers, but to state that the current principal has "not lifted a finger to provide anything extra" is absolutely not true. One should be careful when making assumptions about why teachers make the decision to leave a school. I think much of the teacher's frustration is most likely due to the poor management and corruption of the district as a whole. A principal only has so much control over these issues. Also, I'm not sure that staying at school until 7:00 and working Saturdays is healthy and/or beneficial for teachers, students or principals!

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Posted August 12, 2010
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The current principal stepped into a golden opportunity. There has been very little teacher turnover since my children have been at Ben Milam (10 years). Each teacher at this school gives 110%, allowing the principal to leave at 4 while the teachers stay till 7 and work Saturdays. There is much frustration with the principal as shown in (OHI) reports, that can be viewed by the public. These reports indicate that the teachers feel micro-managed and under utilized. Unfortunately, some great teachers have left Ben Milam because of the principal's top-down management style. Any technology, grants, after-school activities, supplies from other schools, money for equipment and supplies are due to the dedicated teachers going the extra mile to provide the students with what they need. The principal has not lifted a finger to provide anything extra for the faculty, staff and students.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted January 13, 2010
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Ben Milam is one of the best schools in the DISD. The Principal and staff are terrific. I love the fact the they even offer a free after school program for parents who are unable to pick up their kids at 3 or 4. If any parent thinks that our kids at Ben Milam are very rough and misbehaved, perhaps maybe they should try another school for their delicate kids. I, personally, have 2 kids who I believe are kind of rough among themselves, but that is just they way they are.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted September 14, 2009
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All my children have attended Ben Milam.. and I love it!! The teachers are all great!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted August 26, 2009
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The Principal, Teachers, and all Staff are GREAT at Ben Milam. I am very satisfied with all the good work they have done in my kids life.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 13, 2008
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The Principal and Teachers at Ben Milam Elementary are terrific. However, Parent participation and district funding is low. This is my daughters first year and every morning she is happy to go to school. Thank you to the Principle Ms Galvan and to all the teachers for job well done.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 11, 2008
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I think one of the main problems is the district and the funding. I can tell that the teachers and the principal are trying hard, but the resources they have are minimal. I have been disappointed with the amount of yelling going on and I don't know if its the culture or lack of teaching proper principles, but yelling is just a means of dealing with discipline for them. The principal is very nice and accommodating, but I have not been as satisfied with my child's experience as I had hoped because of the environment that she is in every day. The children she is around are very rough and misbehaved and I don't feel that its dealt with properly.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted January 25, 2008
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Ben Milam has come along way. we have been very happy here. We have had a strong consistent prinicpal for two years now and an afterschool program. The school could use more parent involvement but there are a handful of very devoted parents.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted June 20, 2006
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We have been very impressed with Ben Milam. Both of my children have excelled in this small school environment. I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting a small school experience. Children are people at Ben Milam and not numbers!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted August 20, 2005
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All of my five children have been at Ben Milam. I have only two left at that school now. What I have learned is that most new coming teachers have been the greatest. All of the new teachers fresh out of college have done wonders. Only 3 of the older teachers have done great all along. There is a difference between being strict and being just plain mean. There is a way to be strict in a good manner. If you offend the child and step all over his self esteem, it's no wonder some kids grow up the way they do. When speaking to the principals (we have had a few) al promise to look into the problem to no avail. Not many extracurricular activities are provided either.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

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.

33 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
89%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

15 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
93%
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.

35 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
93%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

18 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
83%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

17 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
93%
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 81% in 2011.

35 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
100%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

35 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
96%
Science

The state average for Science was 87% in 2011.

31 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
73%

2008

 
 
96%
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 Students64%
Female42%
Male76%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education64%
Limited English proficient (LEP)53%
Proficient in English79%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant64%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students93%
Female100%
Male90%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English93%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
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 Students83%
Female90%
Male71%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic81%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged81%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education85%
Limited English proficient (LEP)77%
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students89%
Female92%
Male80%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English93%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talented100%
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 Students97%
Female93%
Male100%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged97%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)96%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students74%
Female79%
Male71%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic71%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education73%
Limited English proficient (LEP)64%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant74%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students90%
Female92%
Male89%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education90%
Limited English proficient (LEP)86%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Gifted/talented100%
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 "Recognized".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Exemplary".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Recognized".

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
Hispanic 90% 48%
White 4% 34%
Black 3% 14%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 8%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 17%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 53%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 90%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 0%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 19%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 32%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 32%N/A23%
21 or more years 16%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

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4200 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: (972) 749-5600

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