Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary School

I am so disappointed with the teachers at Oveta Culp Hobby. My son is finishing first grade and his teacher still calls him by the wrong name and even writes it down wrong on notes sent home. At the beginning I was understanding. Now with only weeks left, I find it ridiculous. I had to go in and ask three or four times before I could see any of my son's work. He is getting good grades on his report card, but I like to know how he is doing on his work so if there is something he is not understanding as well then we can work on it at home. I had emailed the teacher five times at the beginning of the school year questions and I didn't receive one single response. At conferences we asked the best way to get ahold of her to ask questions and she said that she was too busy to respond to notes, emails, calls, or texts. I understand not wanting to be bothered, but if I have a question about something written in his planner, than I expect a response! My son will misspell a spelling word while copying it down in his planner then study it the wrong way because she doesn't even look to correct it. This is the only list of words we have to study. I have asked for a hard copy and she refuses.
—Submitted by a parent

Extremely caring staff! They're very understanding of the children and the stresses of Army life on them. The last school my kids went to was not very impressing. My straight A child (1st grade) began to HATE school :( She didn't even want to get up in the morning! Her grades were actually dropping and she was less motivated (probably due to her teacher yelling all the time). Now that she's at Oveta she is so happy! Her grades have improved and her teacher is the sweetest! My son (4th grade) attended the same school before moving here to Ft Hood. He has ADHD and had a very hard time. His teacher there really didn't seem to care if he made it out of 4th grade or not. sad really... But now he has a teacher that is really working with him and really cares about his success!! He cried when he saw the enrollment packet for 5th grade. Thanks to the teachers at Oveta my kids are doing great in their Education! This school really has their ducks in a row in all aspects. I'm very please my children have such a wonderful school to attend while here on Ft Hood.
—Submitted by a parent

I had heard great things about this school, however, now that my daughter is attending Pre-K here, I have a different opinion. The teacher, so far, is not very communicative and has not assessed the children to see what their knowledge level currently is and have a base as to compare later on in the school year. My daughter comes home everyday not wanting to go back, which is very unusual. And I feel as the class material is not challenging for her. The school's location and layout makes it somewhat difficult to have an easy and smooth traffic flow. Pre-K through 1st grade students get release at 2:40pm and 2nd through 5th grade get releases at 2:45pm, so basically, at the same time, it is unorganized and it makes it very difficult to pick-up your child. Ironically, Pre-K gets released in the farthest point from the school entrance. I feel that as to how unorganized the system is at this school, they focus on enforcing policies that are not as important, and are really strict about them, disregarding, important issues and finding ways to improve/solve them. And, there's no PTA. I am overall very disappointed with our experience with this school so far.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great place for students to learn and be challenge every day. The staff is courteous and students are always happy to participate in school's every day activities as well as extracurricular activities such as science club, drama club, reading night, math night and science night.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, the principal was very helpful and understanding with my sons anxiety and school phobia. Provided him with special needs accommodations (504) and the teachers are excellent. This school is great with academics and is still very fun and enjoyable. I would recommend this school to anyone. The Talented and Gifted Education at this school was very impressive for my child. This school is great with security and safety of the students. The teachers are nice and programs are offered throughout the year for military families and dyslexic children. It has specials such as Physical Education and Music. Overall A "Great School"
—Submitted by a parent

My children went here for a few months. If you don't have a child with Special needs, this is an excellent school. The school is very strict about security. You can't take a younger child into your older child's class for a party(Christmas, Valentines, etc. ) you must show i.d. to pick up your children. The principal was horrible, but he's retiring.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children that attend this school. This is there second year here. The teachers for the most part are wonderful. They actually challenge the kids and give extra time to the those that seem to be struggling. As far as the school and mangement there, I feel as though some of their policies are over the top. I also feel as though they are a lil too anal when it comes to the disciplne of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I have not been incrediably impressed with this school. I have to admit that the administrative staff appear to be friendly and helpful, however, as read in other previously posted reviews, I do not feel that the teachers are very pleasant/friendly toward the children. From what I have seen the teaching staff appear to have unrealistic expectations as far as the childrens behavior is concerned in relationship to their age. I have much older children that up until late high school were kept in private schools. I think I will make arrangements next year to do the same with the youngest.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My son is in Pre-K this year and is learning so many things! I think the office staff and teachers are wonderful and they all seem to know my son. That's probably b/c he's a friendly chatterbox, but every faculty member I have met has been wonderful and are always praising my son. They seem to be a very loving school and my son couldn't have had a better teacher than the one he has for his first year of school!
—Submitted by a parent

Admin. is Horrible ; just because it is a school on a military base does not make the children mini soldiers ; they need to treat these children as just that.... children!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a little intimidating at first but it ended up being a great place. Mr.Moore was a good principal and the staff was always very helpful. This is a great school and I would recommend it to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Mr. Moore, the principal, is NOT a nice man, nor is he very kid friendly. You can tell he is putting on an act. I have heard and seen how he talks to some of his staff, I feel sorry for them. He is kinder to some children and their parents and not as kind to others. Overall the school is okay if you can get past him. Some really good teacher have left.....makes you wonder why???????
—Submitted by a parent

The best! They make feel like home!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is by far the best school that my children have ever attended. The principals, faculty and staff have a great love for what they do and that is seen in the exceptional job that they do with the children.
—Submitted by Petrina, a parent

I think being a new school caused the staff to try harder and in some cases that caused friction between parents and teachers. It didn't seem like a comfortable atmosphere and other than the pre-k or kinder children you didn't really see to many smiling faces. The P.E. teachers were great,full of energy and most of the kids really enjoyed being with them. It is a very nicely built school with lots of ammenties.
—Submitted by a parent

I have felt my kids always got alot of help they needed compared to other schools that they have attened in the past. Keep up the good work
—Submitted by a parent

I believe the school is run by someone who looks down at the parents. At first Mr. Moore comes off as someone you can talk to and someone who wants you to be happy, but then as you come to him with more concerns he begins to talk down to you and makes you feel as though you don't belong. As for as the other employees, most are okay, but some treat the children with little respect. Children won't learn to give respect if it's not given to them. I felt as though they would rather scare the kids into following rules, rather than teaching them with kindness. There will always be discipline needed within the schools, but these people gripe at the kids (and parents)when it isn't necessary. Part of the problem lies with the KISD policy, and part of it lies with bad leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was great for my child we lived on the base. The school was built in 2004. My dauther really accelerated in all subjects.She was in the forth grade when she was there and has always been a A,B honor roll student and felt challenged everyday. I love the fact that the school has a no bulling policy and they really do abide by this rule. And also have a open door policy for any child that feels threated, which in todays society, I believe it's what every school should have. They have a fantasic Library. All new books. And this school even has Computer lab, with all new computers. And in final, to top this school off the children have 50 minutes of PE 5 days a week.
—Submitted by a parent