Colin Powell Elementary School

This school is average in my opinion - nothing particularly spectacular about it. Yes, they get good test scores, but that is due more to the students and the involvement of the parents rather than the teachers. There is an arrogant culture within the school - they really, really don't like people to think they are not the best school in town. Thing is, there are lots of great schools in Grand Prairie, Powell does not have the monopoly on that. They are more concerned with their image and their scores than the actual children who attend the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Powell.Everyone in the school works very hard to make sure student success is achieved. From the first time I walked into the office I felt at home. I had lots of questions and concerns.. The office staff was very knowledgable and friendly. It is true that the teachers push the students, and parent involvement is expected to help in the learning experience. You can't argue with the results-The school also has great communication. There is a weekly newsletter, parent calendar with information for the whole school as well weekly emails and daily communications from my son's teacher. This year we get phone calls and texts. The PTA has a very big presence. They sponsor many events through out the year. The reputation in the school district is Powell is the best of the best . My family agrees- we are Palomino Proud!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the most snobbish office staff and teachers that I have ever met. The teachers don't want to do their jobs and teach. They want to send everything home with the student so the parent can teach them. I like the school because they push the students but I wish they would spend more time teaching and less time acting like a country club. To me this school is more concerned about their image and school funding than they are teaching the students.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter is a Kinder student in Mrs. Salinas class at Powell. I had my first teacher conference Nov.6th and i left in tears of joy knowing she was being lead by someone who wants to see her go far in life...I was relieved to know that she has a teacher that would have an impact on her life. Not only does she Captures kids hearts...She captured mine as a parent!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Powell for 5 years. I am amazed at the parent involvement. The PTA membership is one of the largest in the district. The programs/plays they organize with the music dept are incredible. I have been to several plays in other schools and nothing has compared to the parent investment in stage decorations, costumes, and turn-out during the performances like at Powell. Mrs. Jones, the principal has very high expectations for teachers and students, but that's another reason why Powell has won more awards and recognitions than any other school in the district. Powell families even gathered 3 TONS of paper for the district recycle contest, more than larger elm schools, middle schools, and even the high schools! Powell ranks as a Commended school on TAKS and has earned a number of awards from TEA. We are Palomino Proud!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Powell is a wonderful school with excellent faculty/staff. It has a diverse learning environment and a communal aura. The PTA is very active, but could always use more parental participation. Rhetorically speaking, should the PTA (or school for that matter) have to be vocal about parental participation for YOUR child? The principal is a good no-nonsense leader. Teachers are demanding, but parents shouldn't have it any other way. The school has received exemplary rating this year, but won't rest on its laurels. TAKS testing and science enrichment should be areas of continued focus.
—Submitted by a parent

i do not think powell is a good school. zavala elementary is way better:)
—Submitted by a parent

Colin Powell is a great school a very diversed learning environment. Mrs. Jones is a wonderful prinicipal. She cares about her staff and students. An active PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at the school since January 2008 and it seems OK but the school does not seem to encourage parent participation. I within in the first week offered to volunteer and and have been doing so since then but I feel they could be a little more vocal and aggresive to get more cooperation and better attendance at the PTA meetings. The Principal is not welcoming at all and she seems to fly solo and does not mingle with the parents. I do believe they have potiential for improvement but it all begins with how involved the leader is.
—Submitted by a parent

Notice how much time has passed between the last review and this one. This school (and from what I can tell, this district) is terrible! My child attends kindergarten here. 3 months into the school year, they transferred my child's kindergarten teacher! With no explanation! The children were devastated. Bullying is rampant here and the principal refuses to do anything about it. She won't even contact the parents of the children who are doing the bullying! A parent took her concerns all the way to the administration and she told me that they said that all she could do was remove her child from this school and send him to another one in the district...but that Colin Powell is the most sought-after school in the district! Parental involvement is near non-existent. In fact, they had to cancel culture night this year because only 5 parents had volunteered school-wide. How sad!
—Submitted by a parent

Academic performance is excellent. Music, art, and PE programs are solid. Very high parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that the school is ok but could be better. I feel that the school gives way too many work sheets instead of actually teaching. My son is overwhelmed with worksheets. I think that the teachers that I have dealt with expections are way too high and make hard on some students. I personally will not send my son there next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I know Colin Powell is rated well, however I feel the school has been under enrolled for years, and worry about the future of its status. This year we are way above the past enrollment and the school seems unprepared for it. I have not been happy with the new changes that have been made this year, and the parental involvement seems lacking already. The student/teacher ratios are maxed out, while we have seen Garner and Florence Hill enrollment go down for the better this year. There is still alot of the new growth for Powell to come! I also have heard at the meetings that next year they will not take any transfers, which will affect my child. However, we are considering transferring to Flo. Hill after this year. I have heard many great things happening there.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not only a parent but a professional working within this district. Colin Powell is an excellent school. These teachers have extremely high expectations for their students. Learning is challenging and exciting! The combination of the experienced and less experienced teachers brings a great foundation and an extremely inovative approach to teaching. The creativity in every area by far surpasses any expectations I have as a professional in education. Frankly, I am more amazed each year. The administrators and teachers at Colin Powell are not afraid to think out of the box. There is a true sense of teamwork and with their high expectations comes a willingness to take an active role so that each individual student achieves success. They truly have the students best interest at heart. My daughter will be in 4th grade and my son will be entering kinder this fall.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Colin Powell are awesome! I have two children that have attended this school since Kindergarten. They have both surpassed their friends that attend other schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Powell prides itself with the learning guidelines and structure that they provide for their students and this gives them a headstart for my childrens future.
—Submitted by L R McGrew, a parent