Luella Merrett Elementary School

I went to this school 3 years ago. I loved it except the dress code. My class was the last that Austin and we had a blast! The best teachers were Mrs. McCullough (My kindergarten teacher!), Mrs. Reid (The funniest!), Mrs. DelaGarza (The nicest teacher!), Mrs. West (GO OU!), Miss Wheeler (Go OU and she is very nice and funny!), Mrs. Pacheco (The best!), and Mrs. Donnelly (The greatest funniest and most motherly teacher there!). I loved this school because it was the best! I didn't attend 5th grade there but I wish I did because I wanted to have Mrs. Reneman! Now, my brother attended 5th there and the best teacher then was Mrs. Shapley and MR. HANSON!!!! They were THE BEST!!! Mr. Hanson retired but he was AWESOME!!!! I miss this school but I have a question, is Mrs. Bryan still principal? I never really liked her. She mostly cared about Herbie (her dog) or her job. Oh well, I love and miss this school! I can't wait to go visit my old teachers sometime! (:

WE parents are the key to our children success & is our job to educate them 2. Lets not give our children to teachers. We can't depend on them to do all the work for us. We have to get more involved in their learning process. Have you ask how was his/her day at school, what did he/she learned today, you need help with homework??? Every student is smart, some just need xtra help. Are you parent willing to provide that help or are you too tired to dedicate a few minutes of your time to them? Just think about this... if our heavenly father is there 4 us 24/7, why can't we do the same 4 our own child? Dont ask 4 something you can't give your self. Stop blaming others, and make it happen! Show your child you care & make a difference in their life. E.J.Z.
—Submitted by a parent

I read the most recent review of Luella Merrett and was shock at how little this parent knows about the school that their child is attending. My child loves this school and the teachers. We have been nothing but satified. The principal is hardly 24 and I have never seen anyone work so hard for children. The dogs that the parent was talking about were trained with money out of the principals pocket not school money because she had heard that assistant dog programs had helped students with reading problems. She then had other volunteers bring their trained dogs to the school to help more then just one or two children. I think the parent may need to spend a little more time in the classrooms before they say that the teachers are 'sterotypical' I am not even sure what that means. They are hard working and committed. Good Job!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to luella merritt when i was a child and i loved but now that my child has attended there so much has changed. I do not feel that the 24yr old principal has the students best interest at heart. And some of the teachers seem to be a little stereotypical. The school seemed to be spending money on things that werent important like special training for a dog.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended Luella Merrett for many years. The school still has a fantastic teacher - Mrs. Pacheco - in the lower grades. The school is missing the best teachers they used to enjoy - Mrs. Hill and Ms. Gowan - in the upper grades. The days of deep learning and incredible field trips to San Antonio, Austin, and Houston are no longer. The garden is not the learning environment it was just four years ago.
—Submitted by a parent

With the tremendous school it was in the past, Luella Merrett Elementary is missing the great teachers who have moved on to other schools - Ms.Williams, Mrs. Hill, Ms. Gowan, and Ms. Sticher. The upper grades are no longer the great learning environment that it was.
—Submitted by a parent

Luella Merrett is a good school with great leadership. My son attended from 3rd - 5th grade and loved it. He was challenged in the 3rd-4th but not so much in 5th. I'm sure this will change, because there have been changes made for next year. Ms. Novelli is the best!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

i have always love this school..i went there from k-5th and had very good memorys..know that my child is in pre-k im so excited for her to finish out her elmentary years at luella merrett...i want to send all my love to a wonderful now retiered teacher mrs.Toreaire.....
—Submitted by a parent

My son has gone from pk to 3rd grade at Luella Merrett and I think it is great. We are looking forward to the fourth and fifth grades. Thanks to all the wonderful Teachers
—Submitted by a parent

There are many great teachers at Luella Merrett: Sisk, Westmoreland, Willson, McCullough, Reid, Pacheco, Beasley, Moffatt, DeLaGarza, Gowan, West & Shapley.The new administration seems fair. The dress code change looks great. The secretaries and the counselor will go out of their way to help. Overall: a good school!
—Submitted by a parent

Luella Merrett has been a great school for the past 2 years. I'm afraid that since the Special Interest Program and the AAP coordinator is no longer at the school that the students will not continue to recieve higher learning as before. Also, this school has had a new principal and vice principal last year and again this year. I just hope that the new administration can come in with new ideas and that the teachers be willing to except change. An exceptional teacher once told me, 'that a program is as good as the dedication that a teacher puts into it'. I will find out this year for sure.
—Submitted by a parent

Focus is on teacher success and happiness and not on the education, success or happiness of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

Just a note on Karen Phiripes: She taught me in 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade. I had ADHD and she treated me like I had no problems at all. She is a fantastic teacher. She inspired me to learn and be passionate about knowledge more than any other teacher I've had. Luella is lucky to still have this lady. If we had more teachers like Mrs. Phiripes, the country would be a much better place than it is now. Scott Brewer
—Submitted by Scott Brewer, a former student

I have twin boys that attend this school and both have trouble reading. Instead of assessing whether or not my children could read the teachers have embarrassed the children, send notes home stating they wont participate in class. I continually get letters home from the teachers saying Im not doing enough on my end at home when I spend an hour with each of them each and every night. The teachers at this school teaching the first grade are mediocre and not doing their job Im at my wits end on what I can do to get my children the education they need and deserve with me living in this neighborhood and moving right now isnt a feasable option.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, caring teachers, quality administrators. Differentiated instruction for students.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child is in the Advanced Academic Program and because of the wonderful teachers he has done very well. We have been very pleased with the program. Unfortunately, the administration at this school does not support the efforts of this program and have allowed it to die out. They still recruit under the guise of having a program but the students coming in for the last two years are not in a high academic program. They are mixed in with children with behavior and learning problems which doesn't allow the teachers to teach at a high academic rate. They have mixed grade levels in 4th and 5th grade to keep one true high academic class. I appreciate this effort but the old program was much more efficient in providing quality education to children across the district who have special needs in the form of higher level classes.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that the Special Ed. lady Mrs.Bonnie was wonderful with my son at our ARD mtg. this past year - she was on top of it all. Mr.Randy Scott really does care about all of his kids at the school and Mrs.Karen Phiripes - I don't have enough time or room to write down what a beautiful and loving job she did with my son in her class room! Way to go Mrs.Phiripes and the rest of the staff of Luella Merritt Elem.! Sincerely, Justin D.'s Mom Lisa Smith
—Submitted by Lisa Smith, a parent

Teacher involement is mediocre at best. Rather than discipline they just send the child home. No resources are given for problem learning areas.
—Submitted by a parent

This school, like most, teaches heavily toward the TAKS test. There is a great Advanced Academics Program for grades 2-5.
—Submitted by a parent