Mesita Elementary School

oh and st.patricks school is horrible horrible they babysit they teach NOTHING I AM A X STUDENT AND MESITA WAS EXCELLENT!

Mesita is the best elementary school in El Paso. Very caring and professional teachers and administration. My children are very happy and so am I. C. Renteria
--Submitted by a parent

I have been extremely pleased with my daughter's writing and reading abilities since she began attending Kinder at Mesita. She had previously been at a private school. I have not had any of the negative experience (watching TV by administration); I have been invited to participate with my daughters education including lunch and I appreciate that they want to limit us having lunch with our children to once a week to encourage socialization with their peers. The only complaint I have is with the horrific drop off situation and the fact parents seem unable to follow basic safety procedures when dropping off/picking up their kids.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has many dedicated teachers who not only teach but really care for their pupils.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with several comments made here about Mesita's Connecting World program. To be GT and dual language is a lot for a public school to take on in one program. My one experience in meeting with the director of the program to discuss a serious concern was not good. She responded with little critical thinking, creative problem-solving and tolerance for other perspectives. Given that these are the skills I wish my child to develop in school, I am looking now for alternatives.
--Submitted by a parent

I have read all the reviews and am saddened by some of the comments. My son was in the dual language program, but it was not the right fit for him. That's not to say it's a bad program, just not right for him. I think if we take the time to actually try to speak with the teachers and administration you will find they are very pleasant and do listen. I also have to say I love the new WATCH DOG program. Its amazing to see how the children interact with the Dads that are on campus. Keep up the good work.
--Submitted by a parent

I took my child out of the dual language program. I did speak w/administration, however, they completely sidestepped the issues & gave me the typical 'not a good fit' answer. It is not about fit, time & again the issues we parents raised were about standards/quality of the education. NO BASICS. I too had issues with the English portion. They DO treat the parents as complainers, not partners. My child was doing very well as far as grades, but the standards of the teachers especially the English was definitely sub-par. I have had Mexican national families flat out tell me the only reason they're in the program is to get an education in Spanish for free! This program is a spanish language program not a true 'DUAL' Language and not a GT program. Once we got into the monolingual we realized how far behind in reading, math & science.
--Submitted by a parent

had my daughter at the dual -GT program 'Connecting Worlds' and, even though I leave a block away from mesita, and work as teacher's instructor at UTEP I decided to take her out and move her to a Dual program at the YISD. I am one of many who have exited the program. It's popularity is based on overrated comments from parents who unfortunately do not know better. Maybe because is one of few dual programs at the EPISD. Teachers (with few exemptions) are not prepared to teach to a gifted and talented group. Kids sometimes are under a lot of pressure. Each year or during the year kids are dropping the program. Administrations wont listen to you. Not friendly at all. The director of the Dual Program is famous for being not interested on the feedback from parents or students. If you address a problem, you are a complainer. Submitted by a parent
--Submitted by a parent

I could not disagree more with the post of May 21, 2008. My son participates in the Connecting Worlds dual language program. It is an excellent program for all academics, not just for Spanish. All of my son's teachers have been more than competent to teach in both Spanish and English. It is true that Spanish is the first language of some of the Connecting Worlds teachers. Some of these teachers may be even stronger with Spanish than they are with English, but isn't this what you would want and expect from a true dual language program? Our family compared Mesita with various schools in town. We chose Mesita for its programs. We are very happy with our son's education. We have never doubted our decision. As for the staff, I am at the school often and I have certainly never seen staff watch television rather than do their jobs!
--Submitted by a parent

This is not my daughter's first school, and compared, she hasn't been happier.
--Submitted by a parent