Stonewall Jackson Elementary School

This is our second year at Stonewall and we just love it!! Our daughter is getting a great education and all of the teachers and staff are wonderful. The parent involvement at Stonewall is amazing and I have met some of my best friends there.
—Submitted by a parent

We are in our fifth year at Stonewall Jackson and have been thrilled with the high-quality education our children have received. Stonewall is a great neighborhood school with a strong principal, committed teachers, and great parent involvement. The garden stands out uniquely among public schools, offering the type of hands-on learning that studies show is so much more effective than classroom work alone. Teachers combine science, writing, art, and countless other subjects in this outdoor classroom.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is in 4th grade at Stonewall, and we couldn't be happier with the education he has received. We chose to send him to Stonewall after researching private schools, and we are very pleased with our decision.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Stonewall Jackson Elementary and we love everything about the school!
—Submitted by a parent

Stonewall Jackson is an incredible school with educators who are top-notch. Moreoever, the school boasts one-of-a-kind programs such as Stonewall Gardens, our outdoor science lab and the regional day school for the deaf. Children are given respect and learn to respect others. Teachers lead by example and teach in a way that children are motivated to strive for nothing less than excellence. We specifically chose our home based on being within Stonewall's district and could not be more pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

My family moved to Dallas 4 years ago due to a job change and I was terrified of putting my kids in Dallas Public Schools. We came from the suburbs and I wasn't sure how in the world I was going to put two kids in private school. We got moved and started meeting neighbors who told me what a great school district we had moved to and what an amazing school Stonewall Jackson is. It is so true! I have a 2nd grader and my youngest is in Kinder this year and we absolutely love it! The teachers are so wonderful and truly love our children. We have met some great friends and the parent evolvement is something to be proud of as well! I am positive my children are getting a wonderful education and are surrounded by educated, creative people-such a blessing!
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of two children that attended and one that current is at Stonewall. Stonewall was our school of choice because of the reputation it has. The teachers & staff welcome each and every student with open arms. There is not a thing that they will not do for their students. Children are challenge to the best of their ability. It is we, the parents who have support the teachers in the decision that they make for our children. The communication between the teacher and parent is there we just have to make sure that we follow through. The parental involvement is an asset to the school. One thing that we have to keep in mind is communication it's a two way street, if the teacher communicates with us, we must communicate with them. If we had to start all over again, Stonewall would be our school of choice hands down.
—Submitted by a parent

With all my closest friends sending their children to private or park cities schools, I experienced much trepidation about DISD at the onset, when my son started kinder back in 2008. I could never have in my wildest dreams have anticipated what an absolute gift our Stonewall journey would prove to be! For 4 years now, and with 2 children enrolled, we have seen our kids enjoy every moment of their school experience. They have grown into such secure, inquisitive, engaged learners and have made amazing friends along the way. (My husband and I have as well, the people are just wonderful!) The teachers are deeply invested and you can see the pride they have in their school, the principal is incredible. The school is diverse, accepting and the parent participation is inspiring. While originally I had concerns, Stonewall has proven to be one of the greatest blessings our family ever could have received and we feel grateful and lucky to be a part of this community!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended k2010-1st 2011.He was transferred to another 1st cl's after completing 10 wks.We attended all conferences but were never told until a month before the end of the yr.Our son should repeat 1st.We were in shock since my Husband just had a conference 2 wks before. Our son k-ITBS was 82% higher than Nat'l average.His 1st grade year end ITBS testing reflected he was at the same level as he tested the end of k-which was 1grade third mth.We believe he was not being taught in the class he was transferred in.All text books remained at home as instructed by Teacher never to be used ! Our son has been tested by a School credit learning Ctr which proves the point our son is very teachable but was not being taught !!! and no one cared !! They only wanted to standby the Teacher and not the Student. We as parents have the right to voice our opinions when Dallas ISD Fails to give quality Education ! We have since move on instead of having our child repeat 1st grade at Stonewall because we knew he wasnt "prepared" for 2nd grade.
—Submitted by a parent

In responce to the last posting, talk about a child being left behind! What an injustice to the child and makes me wonder about the other children in that class. They intrusted a teacher to do a job, she failed to educate this child .No wonder they have lost their Exemplary status.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to kindergarten at Stonewall last year, and I specifically choose my home because of its reputation....academically. Had I known about the social reputation with the parents, I would have never chosen this school. Even my daughter's teacher and the principal involved themselves in the politics. It was absolutely ridiculous. This summer, I ended up moving down a street that was split between Stonewall and Lee Elementary attendance zones. I was upset at first because my daughter's education comes before my comfort. However, the numbers were released and SJ actually dropped in TEA ratings to academically acceptable and Lee is now exemplary. This may have been a blessing in disguise.
—Submitted by a parent

Stonewall is a very focused school. Focused on the TAKS test so much that the teachers are so stressed out they are continuously yelling at their students. I had a child in the school and I was a student teacher there and the inside view I got was not very comforting. I now have a 7 year old son and will do what I can to keep him out of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

the best school and teachers we just move from california and they help me with the school transition the best of the best
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids who attend school at Stonewall and they love it. The teachers are caring and truly want the kids to succeed
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome! I have two kids at Stonewall Jackson and they love it! The garden program is a great way for them to learn how plants grow and other types of information they would have never learned otherwise. The fifth graders go to Camp Grady Spruce, the Opera, and the 6th Floor Museum. They have ballroom dancing with professional dancers, their own chicken coop for the kids to help take care of, and amazing teachers! GO STARS!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Stonewall Jackson and have nothing but great things to say. My youngest child has an LD issue and the school has gone out of its way to help us and accomodate him. The teachers are wonderful and my kids are excited and happy to go to school everyday. My eldest will go to middle school next year and is sad at the prospect of leaving Stonewall. Yes, some of the parents are snobby and tough to get to know but that is the way it is in the real world - you do not need to be friends with everyone. The parents and PTA are caring and make things happen. I consider myself lucky to be a Stonewall parent and thrilled my kids have had the opportunity to go to such an outstanding public school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has an elitist attitude about itself and it has to come from the parents. There is definitely a very cliquish feel to things and you either fit in or you don't. Sorry - I don't like being asked to fork out money for unnecessary projects or activities so the school can make a headline in the local paper. Teacher quality was fantastic for K-1st, after that it goes downhill. The principal is completely ineffective. Everything about school participation is forced here. I pulled my daughter here for 4th grade and have been thrilled with the academic focus of Robert E. Lee which is just down the road.
—Submitted by a parent

Stonewall Jackson has many great qualities. However, the previous review regarding parent cliques and the exclusion of moderate income families is true. I have met with more than a dozen families that have experienced social exclusion, isolation and high school "bad girl" behavior from many of the core SJ moms. A group of previous and current families has started to share experiences and plan to take collective concerns to the prinicpal and the DISD offices in a healthy and positive format. Elementary school should have one focus: Children, their academic and social development. Shame on the parents that make Stonewall Jackson like an exclusive country club. Exposure to social, ethnic and income diversity at school is not the same as warmly incorporating that diversity into your life. There are lots of great children and parents that aren't white, wealthy, or have high profile careers.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school for a few years and with each passing year the quality of parent/teacher communication and teacher/child involvement has declined. By the time your child reaches 2nd grade the teachers are cold to both parents and students. It has never changed--The parents gather in cliques. The activities are almost designed to exclude the more moderate income families. The only really great things about the school are the outdoor garden program and the arts programs. The outstanding music teacher and librarian have left. There isn't a computer program and the outdoor science program is hanging on. It does have an outstanding kindergarten program and a pretty good 1st grade program. 2nd grade was disappointing and 3rd was terrible. We are headed to private school. We want a challenging academic program with higher quality teachers who are generally warm/communicative and where parents get along.
—Submitted by a parent

SWJE has been a good school for us. Lots of the normal complaints of lots of homework and the like, but the teachers really care and try. It is an amazingly diverse atmosphere, where kids are exposed to and learn a lot (mixed races and cultures, kids with disabilities, sign language, bilingual program, pre and post school activities, cultural and arts programs, etc.) and a strong PTA and parental involvement. They struggle against the budget and system of DISD at times, but I think they do quite well considering.
—Submitted by a parent