Thompson Elementary School

My children attend this school and so far, we have been quite impressed. I feel that my children are learning in a safe and positive environment. The teachers my children have had there at Thompson, in my opinion, have been exceptional. My kids are excelling and I'm happy that Thompson has improved their TEA rating to "recognized."
--Submitted by a parent

Let me start by saying we kept my son in private school through first grade mainly based on the reviews from this site. However, we enrolled my oldest in second and third grade and enrolled my kindergartener this year. We have really been pleasantly surprised. This school is very....what I like to call "structured". Honestly, a little overboard maybe, but with the kids they deal with, it is probably for the best. We have been blessed with great teachers who have improved their ratings and hopefully will continue to do so all the way to exemplary.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible school. People like to blame the teachers, and Dr Murry, but the real blame lies with the parents that are raising the disrespectful and unruly children that attend this school. There is only so much a teacher can do with children that have not been taught respect or any good behavioral habits. Its really very sad for the well behaved and respectful students who have to witness desks being thrown and daily classroom tantrums. We moved away for better schools and my 3rd grader said to me "mom, we learn things faster at our new school" I said "how so?" "because we don't have to wait around for everyone to Finally understand". The well behaved children at this school are the minority. Section 8 ruined this school and neighborhood, sadly. A lot of good teachers but still some are really mean and rude.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow, we think Thompson is a great school. Two of my children are in MTA program and they are doing better then ever before in school. Working together with my children's teachers and the Principal it has been a winning atmosphere. We also enjoy the events the PTA puts on. We loved the Family Movie Night.
--Submitted by a parent

When we moved here, one of the main deciding factors was the fact the school had a Exemplary rating. It has gone down hill from there. They think that because is as an acceptable rating, that it all good. I want like to see them strive to get back to the exemplary and just accetable. The most emphasis is put on how get a passing grade on TAKS and not teaching the basics and how to use them in an everday living situation. I agree with the other comments about the prinicipal. To get help for my kids, I have had to work the assistant prinicpal.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, Thompson is a crowed school, yes sometimes teachers don't do everything PERFECTLY, but the real question is....is the princapal a good princapal? NO! Ms.. Packwood was the best princapal ever there. Dr. Murray is rude to parents and rude to students, i can guarentee when she leaves, the school will be better rated.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is overcrowded but there is to be a new school to be built near by so hopefully that will improve the size of classes soon. I feel that part of the school rating is because parents are not getting involved with their children. My son's kindergarten class had a daily assignment where the parent and child needed to read every night and record what they read. It did not matter what was read, a book, a poem, the small booklets with their word wall words in them. Only 25% of the parents took the time to do this. Several students didn't know to use crayon or pencil before coming to school. The schools can't do everything. We as parents have to teach our children also and just leave everything up to the teachers
--Submitted by a parent

Bad School, overcrowded, the principle doesn't seem to like parent involvement. Too focused on state testing.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is very crowded and hard for the teachers to teach. The kids are out of control.
--Submitted by a parent