Houston Elementary School

My son has attended Sam Houston Elem since kindergarten and we are pleased overall with his education. Like all schools in Texas, they are very focused on teaching to TAKS. As a parent and previous Denton ISD student, I really hate this. Teaching children to pass a test is important, but not the only important thng in life or in education. We have had hits and misses with his teachers...kindergarten and 2nd were huge disappointments. Lets just say, lots of problems. 1st grade teacher was FANTASTIC! She caught a learning disability within the first few weeks. 3rd grade was the start of team teaching..we love this. We don't like the AR program. The homework load is a bit much. The principal is great. She's kind but strict. She also expects parents discipline kids at home for what happened at school. Parental involvement and volunteers are numerous & fantastic here.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and staff. Active PTA.
--Submitted by a parent

Leadership excellent. Some teachers need to be re-evaluated. Parent involvement and displine strong.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Sam Houston and I couldn't be happier with their experience there. The teachers that we have had are excellent and the principal is superb. The PTA and parents are very involved at every level. We recently moved and the main criterion for our new home search was to stay in this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Houston has some excellent teachers. The principal is fair, she does her best to help the kids. My son had always struggled with reading and last year in 4th grade he excelled. His teachers all encouraged him and we[re] great with him and he improved so much, I could hardly believe it. He loves art class and PE, has never complained about the teachers or office staff. I only have 1 complaint. The times I have visited the campus, I was not stopped to be asked what my purpose there was. The security could use some work. But as far as the curriculum, teachers, and parent involvement, I am very pleased.
--Submitted by a parent

We spent K and 2nd at Houston, and I was very unhappy with my experience. I agree that love of learning is not instilled there. They also don't know how to deal effectively with children. The principal told me I needed to 'fix' my son myself when he got in trouble, no talk about what we could do together. PE was a problem for my son, so I went to check it out. I went 5 times and all I ever saw them do was run laps. Then they all sat on the floor for 20 min. while the teachers tallied up how many miles they had run. Heck, I would have been causing problems if they were trying to make me do that! High test scores just reflect the economic reality of the area the school is in, not the quality of the school. Too many worksheet too!
--Submitted by a parent

The biggest flaw is the negativity and absence of joy within the walls of the school. I would advise anyone considering purchasing a home in this school zone to visit several schools of interest in person during the school day. On paper this school looks very appealing. The PTA is active, the TAKs scores are high, however, it is important to remember that how your child is spoken to on a day to day basis and how material is presented is more important than an overall school rating. Visit during the school day, during lunch and recess, walk down the hallways and listen for positive words of encouragement. If instead you hear negative, threatening, scolding, words in the hallways and behind closed doors, I would suggest you keep looking....We are now at another school in the district and my child's fears and anxiety have virtually disappeared.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter was in kindergarten last year and overall we had a very positive experience. This school was a major considertation when we purchased our home in the area 5 years ago. As a local realtor for the past 8 years in Denton I had the luxury of knowing what kind of feedback each elementary school was getting. Houston is known as one of the top elementary schools in the district. Tons of extracurricular events for the kids. The teachers and staff have always been friendly and responsive to our childs needs. When reading the postings on this site I suggest that no institution will ever be able to please all of the parents and too many times we parents expect the school to deliver what we as parents should be providing. The main areas for improvement seem to be reducing class size and security when the school day ends.
--Submitted by a parent

Parent involvement is very high. The PTA is strong. The Principal is tough but fair. The office staff is very friendly; they know everyone who walks through the front doors. Security is good. All school doors are locked, except for the main doors by the office. All visitors must check in, and to be a volunteer you have to complete a background check. Kindergarten through Second grade teachers are very good with rare exception. Then you get to Third grade. I actually had a teacher tell me that my child needed to increase his speed and decrease his accuracy. They truly teach to the TAKS test. If you survive Third grade, then Fourth and Fifth Grade are good years.
--Submitted by a parent

Playground safety is an issue. Teachers could be more friendly.
--Submitted by a parent