Austin High School

I have experienced many disturbing situations at this school in the 4 weeks school has been in session. Most of which I ignored out of the understanding that this is a new school and I need to give them a chance. Of my child's 8 teachers, myself or my husband have had the opportunity to meet or speak with 4. Of the 4 his basketball coach and his criminal justice teacher seem to be the only 2 interested in my child's education. Upon meeting his Spanish teacher in person, I was greeted with what do you need to talk to me about, not good morning, hello or even how may I help you. When I contacted his English teacher because his grade was dropping, she seemed to be more concerned with if I were calling her a liar, rather than how she could help with the mutual responsibility of fostering a good work ethic in my son. It appears that the teachers at Austin High School have other things on their minds than teaching. My son wanted to attend a law program and this was the only one in my school district. This is the only reason I allowed him to attend Austin. I never encourage people to listen to hearsay, although in this case I wish I would have.
—Submitted by a parent

Today I was at Austin High School registering my junior. I had been there in the morning but did not catch an error until later and had to return to have my son's schedule fixed. Well, as I was sitting at the table, feeling a little disgruntled, the nicest lady walked over. And when I tell you she was not only professional, she was genuinely caring, she was very attentive to my son's desires as far as what he wanted on his schedule. She totally erased any and all concerns regarding my son attending a school that was not a DoDDs school. I knew she was there to help and meant everything that she said to me. I am very thankful that my son will be attending Austin High School. The staff is a class act and hard to top!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great diversity and they have amazing teachers, I would know this as I attend this school and absolutely love it!
—Submitted by a student

Eventhough Austin at this point is struggling with TAKS scores, I believe that with the help of the community and alumni from this school, it can overcome all the hardships it is facing at this point. To me this has been the best school ever, the teachers there taught me a lot about life and supported my future goals of going to college and getting a degree. Now I am three months away from graduating from the Universtiy of Texas at El Paso and I owe it to those teachers at Austin who went beyond their teacher duties and helped me not only apply for admissions at UTEP but also helped me find financial aid through scholarships so that money would not be a factor that would impede my future goals. All I can say at this point is Thank you (to those who helped me) and that Austin is a great school in El Paso, Texas.

I currently attend Austin and honestly its only as bad as you make it. The staff is very caring if you become involved and even if your not, the principal is really awsome along with the teachers and students! You really just have to be involvoed and the rest of the time is great!
—Submitted by a student

I graduated at the top of my class and I never saw the problems most of the other people say they saw. Austin is moving up with the help of the new magnet school. Austin is great. Please visit the campus it is beautiful and full of history. I was fortunate enough to visit the underground tunnels with a vice principle and let me tell you it was very exciting and creepy. You'll love it!
—Submitted by a student

In thisschool some of the teacher forget not every student speaks spanish, and thus should be reminded frequently. Needless to say that I am not very happy with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Austin High School has come a long way! Evidently in sports, good job Mighty Panthers! The school moral has come up, and we, the class of '08 are trying tremendously to change the way things are being run. We now have a voice, and input of what the students think, in certain things. We're changing the status quo at this school, building a foundation, if you will. In a couple of years, if things continue this way, IT WILL BECOME EVEN BETTER! WHOOO HOOO GOOOOO PANTHERS!
—Submitted by a student

Austin High School has come a great way and me feel like I am home. The teachers here care about our education and try to encorage is to move on in the future. I am a proud Austin High School Panther!
—Submitted by a student

This school has not evolved in nearly a decade. The teachers are caring less and less about our students and I can see it every time I visit. If the teachers continue this way, this historical school will founder indefinitely.
—Submitted by a former student

Austin high school is a great school i love that my kids are here! although the school is located in central el paso... Were alot of trouble is around it is a great school! the teachers are great as well as the principle, they really know how to handle the students and they know how to keep a safe learning enviorment! well thats all i have to say and panthers keep up the good work!
—Submitted by gracie aguilar, a parent

It is a very good school with the Sandra Day O'Conner Magnet. It is improving each year in TAKS scores.
—Submitted by a student

When my daughter began as a freshman at Austin High School it was a little rocky because the school was under another principal. The new principal, Mr. Polkluda is now in charge and he's doing his best to get this school where it needs to be at. With the new magnet program, I believe this school can climb up the ladder and become a recognized school. Some students need extra help in certain subjects if tutors were made available or if teachers would let students that needed extra help come in early in the morning or stay after school for that extra help, I believe the school could even get higher results in the TAKS testing. We do need more parent involvement, but other than that Austin High School is an awesome school! It will be one of the top high schools in the near futre. Yvette Kato A Proud Panther '88
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come a long ways. The new principal is trying his best to increase the school's credibility. However, the teacher's need to be a little bit more involved in the academia of the students instead of just teaching the class in a check the block fashion. It is unfortunate that the discipline of the school seems to be the main focal point, however, attention to the disciplinary factor has reduced the number of incidents at the school. I think more parental involvement would increase the reputation of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

outstsanding athletic program
—Submitted by a parent

The band programs under the supervision of Mr. Art Cuellar are phenomenal. He not only motivates the students to strive for excellence, but also encourages and welcomes their creativity which bolsters their self esteem. He is a valuable asset to this school and an incredible mentor to his students. Academically, I would have preferred my daughter to have been challenged more. Math, science, english, french, she never really had to devote much time to studying for these classes. The bar needs to be raised, the administration needs to implement programs that make them think. My daughter practiced for band daily because she had to in order to meet the expectations of her instructor. The same should be true for the rest of her classes.
—Submitted by Marcy Chandler, a parent

I am a military spouse with seven children. We have travled all over the United States and have had children enrolled in many different schools and school districts. I checked in to Austin High School because this is where our children were zoned to attend school. I heard horrible stories about the school and did not want my children to attend, but my husband insisted that we check it out. I am very glad we did. Austin is a great school and I have five children that attend the school. The administration strives to keep this school moving in a positive direction and the children are truly their main priority. Next year the Sandra Day O'Connor Criminal Justice Academy will be opening and many school improvements will be made. Austin will be celebrating 75 years. The staff and students welcomed my students with open arms and I even began working here.
—Submitted by Anna Fischer, a parent

This school has improved in so many ways over the past few years. Next year (2005-2006) school year Austin will be a magnet school for the Sandra Day O'Connor Criminal Justice accadamy. I have 5 children attending the school and they are all very pleased.My daughter is graduating number 11 in her class with a 97.9 GPA. I reccomend this school to any incoming military or other families new to the area. Among the 3 schools we had to choose from when moving to El Paso, Austin was the best.
—Submitted by Heather, a parent

I am a senior at Austin High, I moved here this year from Alaska. I went to a wonderful school, and heard horrible things about Austin. Once I enrolled I was amazed to find that it was actually one of the best schools in El Paso. The teachers are nice and care about the students wellbeing. The students are also welcoming and very inviting. I am a straight A student, and am involved in 5 extra activities throught the school. I would not change schools if I had the choice to. Yes there are many rumors about Austin, but it is a completely different school than I had expected. I love the place.
—Submitted by Heather Davidson, a student

There are a few teachers that care about the students. There are more that only care about themselves. We live in another school zone now and are going to move our kids to the one that we're zoned for. We've been very disappointed in the girls basketball coach. (Varsity) It's his first year and let's hope the last. They have a new principal this year. She's doing better than the last one.
—Submitted by a parent