Encino Park Elementary School

We moved from upstate NY and specifically bought a house in Encino Park for this school. So far the school has been great. My children came from a VERY small private school and it was a big change. the counselors were excellent, my son's teacher was the buck-up-and-get-over-it type and wasn't very sensitive to his struggles transitioning. however, she responded quickly when we asked to meet to discuss the situation. Most other teachers appear to truly care about the students and make learning fun. For our first public school experience, it has been good. The office staff, Mr. Hinds, and Mrs. Garcia are wonderful people and very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year at Encino Park Elementary and she loves it. The staff and administration are wonderful. They do a great job of motivating and developing skills.
—Submitted by a parent

My children were there for a short time but this school was great. The front staff are very sweet and helpful. The school is clean and my kids loved it. No uniforms. Easy pick up and drop off.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to San Antonio from Germany last year and our son did not speak any English as he started in second grade in Encino Park Elementary. The second language program is great! Both, teachers and principal, did a great job to improve our son's skills. They motivated him to learn English and gave him all the support he needed. We could see a great improvement over the whole year. Our son is very exited to do his third grate in Encino Park Elemetary and we are happy that we choose this awsome shool.
—Submitted by a parent

3 kids have gone through this school and it is first rate all the way. Administration, Teachers, Parents, and Kids are a joy to be around.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to San Antonio from out-of-state last fall. We chose Encino Park because of its high ratings and good reviews. However, we were somewhat dissappointed. The school is large, but if the child doesn't shine, it is easy to get lost. There are extra-curriculum activities, but because of the school's size only few kids can participate. It is a Core Knowledge school, but there is a strong focus on TAKS. On the positive side, reading buddies is a great program that benefits both older kids and their younger buddies. The WATCHED DOGs program that ecourages fathers to get involved is excelent.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful elemetary school with many activities to keep kids involved and learning. Teachers are very competent and care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent

Every child is treated as special! You will enjoy all aspects of this school- teachers, students, parents and administrators.

It s the things that cannot be quantified that make Encino Park a place that you want to send your children. Examples of such qualities abound. If you re lucky enough to have Mrs. Love as your child s 1st grade teacher, you will find a teacher who offers authority and structure, yet is nurturing and able to help kids across the learning spectrum succeed. Various events like the PTA s bicycle rodeo and D.A.W.G.S., not to mention the sheer number of parents who drop off and pick up their kids every day, illustrate the high priority that Encino Park parents place on their children s educational environment. Programs like Reading Buddies allow older kids the opportunity to teach their younger peers while giving the young ones new friends to look up to. Unfortunately, it isn t these exemplary qualities that make Encino Park a school of excellence. It should be, but it isn t. Though it is contrary to the other submissions on this site, the most important issue at Encino Park (and a major reason for concern) is the level of importance that is placed on TAKS testing and the maintenance of the School of Excellence label. That said, the level of pressure placed on staff and students is seriously out of the ordinary. Perhaps in the future, the better aspects of top schools will be recognized for what they are. Until then, we ll have to take the good with the bad. Thankfully, there is more good than bad at Encino Park. Good luck!
—Submitted by a parent

My son moved from thousand Oaks and we saw a big improvement. Every teacher he had this past three years has been caring and always kepts us informed. Exemplary rating says it all. Too bad we have so many uggly portables. Submitted by a parent
—Submitted by a parent

I would recommend this school to anyone. It really has a lot of parent participation. My son loved his first grade teacher, Mrs. Demers, and we are looking forward to second grade. The staff is very friendly. I wish I had went to such a wonderful school when I was in Elementary School.
—Submitted by a parent

A warm caring loving environment in which all children reach their highest potential.
—Submitted by a parent

The faculty and staff of Encino Park Elementary School are the very best and excel in all academics with a well rounded curriculum. The teachers are all very proficient and dedicated to their job and go above and beyond to make the learning experience a very positive one for each and every student, who will advance to middle school with a strong solid learning foundation on which to build on. The parent involvement is phenomenal and it shows with all the volunteers and the strong P.T.A. A very deserving 'thanks' to all the teachers for a very good job well. done.
—Submitted by F.J. San Miguel, a parent

This is a fabulous campus with outstanding teachers. My child has loved every teacher and assistant that he's ever come in contact with there. The new principal is so welcoming and available to the parents, which is so nice. You can be sure your children are in good hands and are exposed to wonderful curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school with an excellent PTA. The teachers are accessible to the parents for questions, etc. It appears to be overcrowded, but the student population is managed well. This year, we have a new principle...it appears as if she is going to be very involved with the parents and students. Encino is academically strong. My daughter learned so much in kindergarten and was well prepared for 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 sons go to Encino Park> My oldest is in 2nd and has been there since Kindergarten. I like the school for the most part; the curriculum good ,as is the availability of resources, like computers and a study area. The children have alot of expectaions put upon them in Kindergarten.
—Submitted by a parent

Quality of academic programs is fantastic. We came from the Comal ISD and the difference is phenomenal. My child is getting Spanish, Art, Music, PE and computer instruction. She is also learning to type in the fourth grade. The videos they watch on rainy days or 'sub' days are something I would be interested in seeing. Not wasted time watching animated pointless kids movies. The playground is fantastic. It has a soccer field, track, huge play structure and lots of room to run and play.
—Submitted by a teacher

Great school. Can be kind of pushy with the young kids. Great extracurricular activities available. Tons of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a special needs child who has been in this school district since the age of 3. It has been a constant, uphill battle to acquire the services that our child is federally and legally entitled to. Although, we are presently happy with the situation (and have been very happy with the quality of teachers and therapists), we are exhausted from our efforts to obtain FAPE, and are wary of future opportunities within this district. Again, our main complaint is with the District, not the individual teachers and therapists, but if you have a special needs situation, we would strongly urge you to find another district . . . or State!
—Submitted by a parent