Potranco Elementary School

The school works this way, "take care of Mr. B and he will take care of you." You find out who the best teachers are and if you have stayed in the good graces of the principal and worshiped him, you will get the teacher you requested. The principal is the Jefe. The Jefe is known for punishing anyone who challenges him, teacher, parent and child. Teachers who don't blindly worship can expect to be moved up or down 4 grades without the proper notice needed to prepare to teach that grade. This punishment sets the teacher up for failure so that the Jefe can come observe and brutally critique. This does not help the children in the classroom. There have been at least 4 vice principals work under this principal in the last 6 years. The most recent display of disrespect towards parents came with the PTO elections. The Jefe yellled out to the crowd of parents and teachers who he wanted to have as PTO president. Most considered that a directive to them to do the same if they wanted to keep the Jefe in their good graces. The parents and teachers were then made to stand to record their vote. The way the Jefe treated the poor parent that he did not want as PTO president was humiliating.

Military families beware. We chose this school last year based on its Exemplary rating (which has since been reduced two levels to "Academically Acceptable"). We were shocked to see the 1st Grade work sheets coming home were below par or on par with the work our twins completed in pre-school and Kinder. We asked to see curriculum, and we were not allowed. I asked to observe in the classroom, and the Principal, Mr. B, told me parents were only allowed one observation per year. We had many issues that were dismissed, berated and belittled by Mr. B. We felt our only option was to withdraw our children. It is a shame because we bought our house based on the school's exemplary rating. The poor performance of the school will not help our children, community or property values. When researching, look to the TEA's web site. At present, the MVISD web site falsely claims each Elementary school has a rating higher than the actual TEA rating. A SMSgt who works with my husband and whose daughter attended Kinder at Potranco was surprised when they recently PCS'd and their first grader was placed in remedial classes. annisejones(at)hotmaildotcom if you have questions.
--Submitted by a parent

This year registration was a nightmare. I was asked to complete enrollment paperwork on at least 3 occasions. The staff is not the most professional or helpful. It was the Friday prior to the first day of school before anyone was informed which class their child would be in and who would be teaching their child. The general attitude is, "shut up and don't ask questions." The staff is more interested protecting each other and their jobs than doing the best job for the students.
--Submitted by a parent

I find Portanco and Excellent school. The principal and teachers are always around walking the halls making sure everyone is where they are suppose to be. They are very nice and sweet to each and everyone no matter what age you are. Everyone is treated equal. The only thing that they are not good at is when someone is checking out any student they dont ask for ID unless you are a male. which I hated and told them quite a few times because that ment to me that any female can go in there and tell them that they are my childs aunt or grandma, and of course if the child knows them by name well they will believe it. I did not feel that my child was safe there and since I am a stay at home mom I would visit the school as much as I can.
--Submitted by a parent