Longfellow Elementary School

We have a kindergartener at the school. His class is as diverse as the United Nations and we enjoy meeting the parents from around the globe. Our son loves going to the school so much that he says he doesn't want the holiday break to come. The kindergarten team of teachers are loving and supportive. We couldn't ask for a better environment. There is homework that takes about 15 minutes a night and we are asked to read a book together each night which is very appropriate.
—Submitted by a parent

my son just done with pk it was great experience he start the school year know the letters and little more now he can read grade one doing math and science in nice ways ..perfect teachers and principal and the after school program is so good..i am happy they accept my son for the next year and would like to thank them all specially his teacher because of her my son have very good progress and growing up ..many thanks to all the school staff...
—Submitted by a parent

Our two children attend Longfellow Elementary and we could not be happier. The children enjoy the academic rigor, the magnet focus on the arts and the cultural diversity. We interviewed many schools prior to our first son entering Kindergarten (including private) and chose Longfellow on a hunch as it "felt right" to us. Since then we are glad that we made this gut reaction. The teachers and adminsitrators are great and always open to parent input and help. Being encouraged to actively participate in our sons school has been very educational and rewarding for us. I would definitely recommend Longfellow Elementary School to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school and had an amazing time until I was in third grade. My class, in third grade, had been split into groups based on race and I constantly witnessed teachers not being supportive to students. At one point in the school year we spent two weeks not even going into the classroom. We were told to play all the time. At the time I didn't mind much but now in middle school I realize how lax the academics are. Bullying is also another major problem. The teachers were very aware that it was happening against the minorities at the school and turned their heads away. I really appreciated Ms. Young, Ms. Barwel, who is responsible for teaching me everything I needed to know for the next four years, and the art and orchestra teacher. The school now has very nice teachers but if you aim for your child to go to a middle school with good academics, it will be a struggle to catch up.

HELLO MY DAUGHTER ATTENDED LONGFELLOW HER 1ST YEAR LST YEAR AND SHE LOVED IT I LOVED IT I WAS VERY PLEASE WITH EVERYTHING. THEY STAFF WAS GREAT TREATD THE KIDS AS THERE OWN. SHE WILL BE ATTENDING THE SCHOOL AGAIN THIS YEAR!!! I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMEND LONGFELLOW TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A GREAT SCHOOL IN THIS AREA!!! THEY TAUGHT HER VERY WELL AND SOME
—Submitted by a parent

this is our third year in longfellow and based on our experince this is the best decision we ever made. we belong to asian community and we never felt that we were treated differently my daughter is doing great in her class and learning as much as she can. i would recommend longfellow to anybody whose parents are looking for a school that offers great diversity.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Longfellow. Our neighbors tried to talk us out of attending the school but it was the best choice we ever made. We are very happy. My son has learned so much and his teacher is awesome.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is there now. She loves, loves, loves, school. She is white and her class is mixed with all sorts of races. We love the diversity in the school. We love the principal and we love the Leopards' Den. I wouldn't have her any place else.
—Submitted by a parent

This was a good school for my child (K-1 in 2007-2008). He was a major minority (one of like 3 white kids in his class) and that was hard for him at times. He had good teachers and administration who tried to work through his hard times (from being too energetic to focus, to issues with being picked on, and even issues of bullying) with him. He often received up to an hour and a half of homework even in Kindergarten which required 80% parent supervision and assistance, this was a big burden on a busy family and it was a constant struggle to help him stay kept up.
—Submitted by a parent

Longfellow is the best school around! My kids have been in both private and public schools and because of our economic turn-down, I found myself looking for a public school. Dr. O'Neill sold me on the school and his leadership has made Longfellow the best school around. Have you ever seen a principal standing in the rain, or in the cold, or in the heat to welcome and say good bye to every child? The teachers do the same and my child has learned more this year than in any other year in school. We love our neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my children's third year attending Longfellow and it just keeps getting better and better. I wouldn't have them anywhere else. The Staff is awesome, and they actually care! They always go above and beyond regarding the education of the children. We also have a very involved PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Longfellow is one the the best keep secrets in HISD. They have an outstanding program. The PTA program goes a step beyond to help both the parents and students to reach excellence! They also have a wonderful after school program with teacher's running the classrooms. If you want a well round program check it out. We have several student that have left there private schools to come to longfellow. It does fill up fast so if you are interested in having your child attend enroll them early!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is getting better every year! Thanks to the wonderful administration, Principal Dr. O'Neill & Vice Principal Ms. Barnes, all the wonderful teachers & dedicated staff. My earlier review in July 2006 that the school is great & the ratings would improve stands justified! The school is recognised for its academics. This school has the best Magnet program around. Special mention must be made of the hugely talented Orchestra Director, Ms. Mindy Snow who has taken the Orchestra to Superior level : last year they recieved superior ratings at Galveston Orchestra festival, NASA festival & HISD Elementary Orchestra Competition. This is a fabulous magnet school with Dance, Art, Band including Jazz Band (!), Theatre & Choir. What a great repetoire for our little artists. It now has a beautiful new school building (built 2007). There's an active PTA. Overall a great school !
—Submitted by a parent

While I agree with most of the review entries, the staff is great! However, the other remarks in regards to the principle, not totally true. When you have a promotional overview that the test scores or more important than anything else, we lose our children in that aspect of daily lessons. Would any dare to agree, and believe that if curriculum is taught, all of the children will succeed long after Longfellow? The school is well above average, even with staff transitions, however the principle and the efforts should go to his successor Ms. Barnes, who will rise to the challange, because from her presentation, her hearts desire is to see the children succeed in all area's, not just testing.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year at Longfellow Elementary School, and I absolutely love it! I have been in Houston for three years now and my son has attended 2 other schools before coming to Longfellow. His grades has improved greatly. Longfellow is a school that is dedicated to acamedic acheivement and I am very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year here and she is doing so well! We transferred her from a private school and now we have first hand proof that the curriculum is way more advanced than the private school we paid an arm and a leg for! Wow! I am so impressed and I would recommend this school to all parents who are torn between private and public school!
—Submitted by a parent

Before my daughter started PK last year I was very nervous about school and how she would be. We bypass many other school daily to driver her all the way to Longfellow and havent regret a single minute. My daughter really enjoys school and has learned more than I could ever imagine. Mr. O'Neil has done a great job also! And the teachers are wonderful!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Longfellow for many years and I can truly say I am very pleased with the school. One of my children recently 'graduated' from Longfellow and has moved onto a Vanguard middle school. The school is very welcoming and we felt accepted immediately. The staff knows each child by name and are very nurturing and understanding while still challenging the children academically. We live in the neighborhood and being able to walk daily to school is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Longfellow and we love the school. The campus is beautiful and the teachers are awesome! They are nurturing and dedicated in their work. My daughter looks forward to going to school everyday. She says her teachers are wonderful and we couldn't agree more. We are also excited about the school's implemention of The Writing Academy which will definitely bring out the natural writing talents of the children. In addition to academics, the school provides another learning dimension with their magnet program in the Creative and Performing Arts. My daughter enjoys her classes and is always so excited to tell us about her day. We are thoroughly glad to have her at Longfellow. The school, the teachers and the program, all work together so well to foster the love of learning in our children. I must say the principal is doing an excellent job! C. Lim
—Submitted by a parent

Longfellow is a great school. The teachers and staff (including the principal) are great. My daughter enjoys going to school. It is a beautiful new school that offer great programs.
—Submitted by a parent