Tom Hicks Elementary School

I totally agree with the reviewers below. Hicks is not academically focused. If your kid is studious, gifted, high achiever... This isn't the right place for him. Teachers only care about the PTA kids and gifts. Staff in general is OK. Hicks is all about favorites and fundraising, " Fanatical PTA " to re-use one of the reviewers word. Principal seems to only care about the PTA and their kids and fundraising of course! And as a reviewer said he doesn't know the kids or interact with them unless they are the PTA's kids. In the year book, you will only see the kids of the PTA, same thing for the website. Very unfair atmosphere! I think that there is too much disruption at school. It is nice to have lunch with your kid but it should be limited to a certain number of days. The principal needs to be more present and set boundaries for the PTA. At first, I thought that I was maybe seeing too much into it but by reading the reviews below, It just confirms that I am not the only one who thinks the same. Our kid is obviously leaving this school... And yes! Parents park illegally, drive too fast and sometimes don"t even bother Stopping at a Stop sign.
—Submitted by a parent

Cannot speak to the school performance as far as teaching goes. However, the school is a very bad neighbor! The grounds are poorly maintained, not up to the neighborhood standards. On special functions, parents park illegally all the way up to the stop signs and alley ways. This creates a dangerous situation for kids and neighbors alike. And parties - while they are ok, it is not very considerate to have continuous booming noise for days on end that residents are forced to listen to. Hicks kids party, while we as homeschoolers are forced to take days off due to excessive noise from the school. Ridiculous!!! From my point of view, the school is unable to maintain a courteous and safe environment for everyone.

Hicks is a fabulous school with outstanding leadership and caring teachers. The principal encourages progressive staff development and challenges his staff to strive for excellence in themselves and in the students. You will see students engaged in problem based learning where they are researching and producing quality real world products based on their grade level content. All of my children have all been challenged and encouraged to reach their full potential. The resources available for children with special needs, learning disorders or exceptional talent are top notch. The school is very safe and no one is allowed in the building without being screened through a drivers license check (even regular parent volunteers are checked daily). There is great parent support & an active PTA that helps supplement enrichment opportunities to make up for where Texas cut our public schools in the past two legislative sessions. Being a former teacher, I have high standards for what I expect in the education of my children and all children in Texas....Hicks Elementary goes above and beyond my expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at this school - we are new this year. Our teachers are a mixed bag - one is really fantastic, and one has no business teaching at all. The spelling and math systems they use are "progressive" which means confusing and pointless - my kids are not learning, they're just preparing for tests. The front office staff is very nice but kind of incompetent; they can barely operate the computers and phone systems and they never check my ID when I pick up my kids, which is very scary. The school is totally focused on fundraising - we get constant requests for donations. The PTA is very active but snooty and cliquey and unwelcoming to new people. The principal seems rather absent - I never see him interacting with kids and my children don't know his name or what he looks like. This school is good but it's not great, and it cries out for competent, committed leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke..teachers cannot teach and high performing students are left behind as they focus on kids that are struggling, they will not give extra challednging work to students that are high-performing- they put too much emphasism on fund-raising than anything else, this school is definately not academic focused- we left after being there for 3 years my daughter now goes to a private school- we are much happier
—Submitted by a parent

We had a bad experience at the school overall. The teachers did not help at all with my sons needs. My son's are both gifted students and they were not learning to a standard that I found satisfactory. My older son asked if his teacher would give him some more challenging worksheets to do. In response, she gave him a book and didn't say a word. Overall, why some people may have had a good experience, we did not. However, I must compliment the art and music teachers who are both very lovable and energetic.
—Submitted by a parent

Snooty fanatical fundraising PTAs, teachers who teaches to TAKS... Are your thing, then by all means but If you expect higher standards this isn't the school for you... It is all about money and favorites here... High performing kids usually left this school from my experience there...
—Submitted by a parent

Tom Hicks was already a terrific school. With the addition of several new teachers this year, it's even better! It's so comforting to know that my children are receiving the very best education at Hicks!
—Submitted by a parent

It's a very safe school. Staff and faculty demonstrate that they take security and safety seriously. When I drop off lunch or something to my kids, it's obvious that it's as secure a school as possible.
—Submitted by a parent

The faculty is caring, and experienced. The structure is clearly established and the environment is results driven. The facilities are pristine and the PTA is involved and determined to provide an excellent learning environment for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

The parental involvement and teacher care and knowledge of each child is unmatched. We have a private school atmosphere with higher expectations and performance! This all was fostered by a great administration with careful attention to every detail. This is an excellent place to teach and also a great place to send my own child for her final three years of elementary school. Go Timberwolves!!
—Submitted by a teacher

My son started school at Tom Hick this year. The staff is amazing and the actual school is the best I've ever seen.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter has been at this school since the doors opened. We are very happy with EVERY aspect of this school. Our son will be in Kindergarden next year and we cannot wait to have him enrolled at Tom Hicks, they are THE BEST! Teachers are very responsive to parents, take special care of the students. After school programs are great as well.
—Submitted by Nick Dembla, a parent

We are just about amonth into our first year at Hicks and it has been a wonderful experience. The kindergarten teachers are exceptional and they are wonderful about letting parents be involoved, which helps so much with the transistion.
—Submitted by a parent

Great academic programs, extracurrucular activities, teachers, principle and involved parents make this a wonderful school to send your children.
—Submitted by a parent

So far this school has been absolutely wonerful in eery way. The number of school sponsored after school activities is tremendous. The quality of students and teachers makes this a highly deisrable school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great new school, excellent facility, beautiful campus and quick established for 1 year old. Great things to come in an excellent community.
—Submitted by a parent