Spence Elementary School

I must say I had my doubts about Spence and about Aldine ISD. My son just finished his kindergarten year at Spence and will be attending first grade this upcoming year. Ms. Dandy and Mr. Bartley really did an outstanding job with him this past year. The front office could use some work but I know who to deal with and who not to. We were blessed that our son got a great 'K' teacher and I will be praying that he gets another great teacher for 1st grade. It's a little frustrating that the good kids in the class suffer because of the bad ones ie not being able to go to the playground because other kids are talking at lunch. Minor I know but my son is a good kid and shouldn't be punished because someone else isn' following the rules.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former teacher here I can say that Spence truly prepares students for academic success. The first year we opened, the school was given a TEA rating of recognized, which is awesome for the first year. The past two years the school has been exemplary in the rating. The principal is very demanding, but she is also supportive of the teachers. She really does care about the students, she is just not very maternal in nature. I left Aldine and went to a nearby district, and the difference in the student's ability is astonishing. Aldine has it together!
--Submitted by a teacher

The administration at Spence is awful. The students do not come first. I had to leave the district to get out of Spence.
--Submitted by a teacher

The Principle and the Principles secretary are very unprofessional. I have altercations with them on several occasions. I will not allow my child to attend this school next year. I didn t do reach on the school. The curriculum doesn t challenge the students at all.
--Submitted by a parent

Lot of politics involved at this school. I've noticed that the principle treats the teachers like children. There is a very high rate of teacher turnover there. Once a teacher tries to get a transfer from this school he or she is black balled from teaching in Aldine ISD.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is unproductive, students have a hard time learning with the teachers, they are very unprofessional. The teachers spend more time trying to get respect then teaching. There is a failure to communicate with teachers and principles. My child will not be going to this school ever again.
--Submitted by a parent

Have noticed that principal is very unprofessional to staff, however the staff is very professional and there is a great deal of teaching and learning occuring. I am sending my third grader to another school for next year.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the first year this school has been opened, so things are a little dis-organized. Picking your child up is very time consuming in the afternoons. However, all in all, the teachers and staff have been very friendly and helpful to me and my daughter. There are no uniforms. It includes only 5 grades, so it's not too large of a school.
--Submitted by a parent