Glen Oaks Elementary School

Four of my children have attended Glen Oaks since 2004 and I have been an active parent. I consider Glen Oaks to be pretty average - not outstanding. There are many issues that I feel have been left unresolved by the principals and have gone without adequate parent communication. There seems to be a lack of administrative presence at the school. Almost all recently hired teachers are brand new to the teaching profession and only a few seem to really care about their students. Due to the high amount of parent involvement at the school, it seems that many teachers there just stop doing their jobs when a parent comes in to volunteer. They just rely on the parents to do too much. When I was a room mom, I was chewed out by a teacher (not even my child's) because she thought our class parents were not working hard enough!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughters have had a great experience at Glen Oaks. They have wonderful teachers who truly love the children. However, I haven't been very satisfied with the principal in her handling and resolving of situations. She doesn't take action. You go to her with a problem and walk away feeling like you just wasted your time. Many of the parents of Glen Oaks kids feel this way. Despite this, the education here is first rate as well as the p.e., art & music.
--Submitted by a parent

Glen Oaks is a great elementary school. No school is perfect but Glen Oaks tries very hard. The principal at the school is very in tune with the kids and parents are highly involved which really makes this a great working mix for all. There are a number of newer teachers but I think they bring a fresh mix of excitement to the school. This year 5th grade has added a male teacher and my daughter thinks he is great!! The Art's and Music program are fantastic and my kids love the teachers. PE is fun and the kids also get a great work out 3 days a week. This is my daughter's last year at Glen Oaks and I know that she will cherish all the staff and memories 100%. I would rate this school high because it is consistant from year to year!!
--Submitted by a parent

great school, honestly innosent

We were very unhappy at this school. My children were never taught cursive. Like the other mother said, 'Why teach it if it is not on the TAKS test?' Unfortunately, our children are getting a less than average education because of this attitude.
--Submitted by a parent

Glen Oaks is a wonderful school with lots of ways for the childrent to become involved.
--Submitted by a parent

The academic quality of this school has been excellent in the past; however, the test scores were not as good the last couple of years and we have dropped to recognized status I believe. There are some excellent long term teachers that have been there for awhile but some of the newer teachers seemd to be average at best. This is the only elementary school I have ever been at so I don't have a lot to compare it with but my kids have been there the entire time and do excellent on the district assesments. The extra-curricular teachers are exceptional i.e. music, p.e, and art and are long-term teachers. You sill not find better and the kids love all of them. Parent involvement is highly encouraged and there are many activities that are done by only parental involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter transfered into this elementary school this year and I have been disappointed in the quality of the teachers. I had heard so many wonderful things about the school, but some of the fifth grade teachers just impatient and somewhat out of touch. Also, I am one of the few parents who is not in line to volunteer every week due to having a job outside of the home. I don't seem to get as much feedback from the teachers while the parents who are there grading papers for the teachers are given priority. I had not encountered this problem in any other schools. I am impressed with the Principal and the PE Coach is very committed to the students.
--Submitted by a parent

We, like so many others experienced frustrations with surrounding school districts, however, that all changed moving to McKinney. The principal greets children daily, and within months pretty much can call each of the 600+ students out by name! The parents are involved, the TAKS test scores are outstanding and the teachers CARE> alering you immediately of problems no matter how small. You are always kept informed of your child's progress. There is a great open-door policy and scheduling an appointment with teacher/principal is never delayed or difficult. The students and staff always seem happy!
--Submitted by Cher Lon Malik, a parent

We moved from Plano so that our kids could attend Glen Oaks. My 2 boys finished Kindergarden and 2nd Grade at Huffman Elementary last year. It was an oppresive environment. I found most of the teachers to be unhappy (actually, downright miserable and unfriendly). The lack of parental volunteerism and support was dissapointingly low. The Principal was not receptive to parents. The list goes on. We have found the exact opposite at Glen Oaks. From day 1, Aug 2003), I was blown away by the professionalism of the staff. From the Principal, Guidance counselor, office staff, cafeteria manager, teachers, parents,etc. I was always greeting with a smile and 'what can I do for you?' type of attitude. My boys are so happy and excelling in their acamdemics. They love school. We couldn't be happier as a family. We thank our lucky starts that we found Glen Oaks.
--Submitted by Meg Creedon, a parent