Walnut Hill Elementary School

Walnut Hill is a great school! The teachers are committed to their students. The principal is easy to talk and clearly cares about kids. I encourage people to come and tour the school to see how wonderful Walnut Hill is!
—Submitted by a parent

I moved my kids from Tom Field Elementary to this school. Bad move. Within a year they were there, they retrogressed academically. We have to move them back to Tom Field next academic year.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has really turned around in the last 3.5 years. The principal, teachers and staff have all come together and are working for the best interest of the children. The school not only focuses on the state assessment but is really promoting good solid teaching. The principal has worked on establishing strong parent-teacher relationships. Every month she hosts a breakfast and answers parents questions. I encourage everyone to go tour the school and meet the principal and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great with only a few exceptions. The principal is in way over her head. I agree that KidzZone is the bright spot at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership at the school is non-existent and disorganized. The school meetings usually start at least 15 minutes late and no one seems to know what is going on. The best thing about this school is the after school program with Mwana Williams (KidzZone).
—Submitted by a parent

All schools face challenges. Walnut Hill Elementary (WHE) is a good, solid school with a rich history and a promising future. Our teachers are fantastic. Any school's leadership has its challenges change is difficult and WHE has had its share in the past couple years. School leaders also needs strong parents. Walnut Hill has a great parent group. It needs to continue to grow and develop the parent and family involvement on our campus. I'd encourage any parent interested in Walnut Hill to visit, meet the principal, teachers and definitely get in touch with the PTA president, other officer, or any parent to get the parents perspective. We are proud of our school. Our neighborhood and community need to embrace WHE and help its leaders build on a very strong foundation. For me and my children, we will see that WHE is successful come join
—Submitted by a parent

Used to be a great school. Five principals and two years later, it has turned into a parent-UNfriendly campus. The current principal is unwelcoming, and does not know her school. How could she? She leaves at three and has her assistant do most of her public interface for her. She also had her husband--an intimidating police officer--speak for her at the few parent meetings she begrudgingly held after parents went above her head to complain. However, she is entrenched, since in the words of Ivonne Durant, the DISD talking head that represents that area of the district: 'We don't want to go through ANOTHER Principal search, do we???' (In the search to hire the current principal, the parent teacher committee that picked her asked to have more candidates to pick from, and were refused by DISD)The historically pro-family school atmosphere has been systematically destroyed. Many families have left.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal this year is not very good. She will not communicate with anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Walnut Hill and I was so excited when the school was rated exemplary last Spring. The parent involvment is high and we have met many new friends. The PTA has sponsored many fun events for the children and the hallways are bright and cheerful. Thanks to all the teachers, Brian Lusk (the old principal who set great goals), and the new principal. I'm a Walnut Hill fan!
—Submitted by a parent

With all of the budget issues that DISD is having I feel lucky to have my son at Walnut Hill. I wish there was more communication, but I take responsibility for a portion of that issue. I also wish that there was more community involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

great staff,very friendly,excellent principal
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school located in a school district that needs great schools. My child is getting a education no private school could offer. The school is willing to work with all parents to help their children receive the best education possible. I would highly recommend Walnut Hill to any parent looking for a sound education for their child
—Submitted by a parent

Good not great school. Does a nice job working in a difficult district with moderate to poor population base. One of the best available elmementry schools in a substandard district. Needs more parent participation across the board.
—Submitted by a parent

Walunt Hill is very good school and one of the highest ranked schools in Dallas.
—Submitted by a parent

Walnut Hill School is a great school. I have had one child graduate from this school and now I have two younger children in this school. They love their school. The teachers I have experienced have all been wonderful. I do wish there was more extracurricular activities at this school because I know my children would enjoy them.
—Submitted by a parent

Walnut Hill is an excellent public school. My son could not have had a better group of teachers over the past 3 years.
—Submitted by a parent

Walnut Hill, is a wonderful school, I just wish there were more extracurricular activities for our kids. Like sports after school,( a football team,baseball,ect..)

This is a National Blue Ribbon school & national school of character. The past 2 years the school has not seemed as up to par as in the past. There are many great teachers and staff members but a few teachers who should not be teaching at all or in our school. It looks like those teachers will not be back in 2004 so that is very positive. This is a public school that does give a private school education. Walnut Hill has an active parent and community base of volunteers...many return long after there children move on. Walnut Hill has a large amount of requests to transfer in...that speaks volumnes for the type of school JoAnne Hughes has created. Our principal is the best and will always provide and look out for all our children. We will miss Walnut Hill as we move on into Middle school.