South Hills Elementary School

I started attending South Hills Elementary as a third grader the year it opened. I have fond memories, and not so fond memories of the school then.

I am so glad that my son is out of this school....even after the change to Miss Dilley, things did not improve...my son was bullyed every day. with the school being so largely hispanic they bend over backwards for them and the non spanish speaking kids and parents are left in the cold...if i had the money i would have filed a discrimantion law suit...english sould be the language all the time...and spanish should be taught to all kids...the mexican kids would just talk spanish when they did not want my son to know what they were saying...and I am sorry I did not get a 2nd job and put him in to private school...when went to this school 50% of the kids out side in portabales buildings...it sucked...even with the consturuction they are not adding enough class rooms...
--Submitted by a parent

I went here from 3rd-5th grade. I had a blast. When I arrived I was just the nerdy white kid but it ended up being the best few years of my life. The school's teachers all speak English and Spanish. They did some benchmarks there but it wasn't the main thing. And as for "Dumbing down the curriculum" that is not a problem. I now go to HSA and am in high school and I've never had any problem with keeping up. In fact I take some classes higher up than my classmates.

I agree with the previous entry. School year started witha new teacher for my child & a month later my child has been moved to another class. His entire class moved & that teacher is another grade now. My children do not come home with homeowrk, the answer is always the same ' we had TAKS testing ' or 'we have benchmark today'. I feel the curriculum is not challenging to the students and I feel it's being 'dumbed' down for students who have English as a second language. I feel for these students- they are still being taught in Spanish and when they get to HS it's not going be the same. They are going to have to learn in English- which they do not comprehend as well as their native tongue. These are smart students & it's unfair to them to hold them back educationally.
--Submitted by a parent

Under the direction of new leadership the teacher turn over continues, especially in the upper grades. The teacher have always been wonderful, kind, and effective with all of my children through the years. Apparently the new leadership is not providing needed support to keep the outstanding teachers at South Hills there to teach our children.
--Submitted by a parent

My grandkids love South Hills!

My child has been in the school five years. The principal started at this school five years ago. There is NO administrative discipline at this school. The teachers can't teach because the administration doesn t support them with any discipline. The teachers can t give consequences without getting in trouble in front of students. The teachers are outstanding! My child was blessed to have Karen Reese and Veronica Anderson. They are very knowledgeable good teachers that care about a life of success for the student. The principal must be removed immediately so that the teachers can teach. When she leaves so will undeserved promotion to the next grade and the bad kids parents will not run the school. Several students are bad all the time but don t have the same consequences as others because their parents get in the administration s face. Bad behavior makes more bad behavior. The FWISD must remove the principal immediately if they care about the children.
--Submitted by a parent

My son was in this school for 2 years and It was not a good experiance. I do not recommend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

I really enjoy the school. My son has attended for past 3 years. Ms.Pittman is a wonderful teacher, and has brought my son where he is today. I feel the PTA could be more organized. I volunteered for the Fall Festival last year and it was a mess. I think more parents should get more involved, and feel they would be if the activities were more organized. It would be nice if teachers were able to communicate via email, as that might make communication easier. A lot of us parents work full time, but could help the teaches out with home activites. Communication between parents & teachers is a must.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal leadership is ok. I feel that they need some add'l training in their role and on their responsibilites to the students. The teacher quality I feel is great. My children have only attended this school and all the teachers have been so nice and very supported. My old son is a special ed student and all his teachers from prek to 5th were exceptional, especially Susan Moore. I think more parents would be involved if the extracurricular activities were more organized. We must keep in mind that this is a middle class neighborhood and a majority of both parents have to work, which makes it hard for them to participate.
--Submitted by a parent