Buckalew Elementary School

While Buckalew was excellent for my daughter, who is an average student, it failed to support my son. We insisted on testing only to find out that the district has limited resources and only those children in the bottom 10% of the STATE get the help they need. Within 6 months of changing schools to a supportive school my son's reading level improved 2 grades to on-level. His math grade went from an F at Buckalew to an A and is now is going to be in advanced math next year. I blame this more on the district than Buckalew! 2013
—Submitted by a parent

The Woodlands in general has excellent schools but we have particularly loved Buckalewl! This school is run very well and the kids have had great experiences here!! We highly recommend!
—Submitted by a parent

We love it! We are just finishing our first year here at Buckalew and we love it. I am a Realtor and it was the school I wanted my boys to go to after hearing such positive feedback from so many parents I have worked with. It really is a great school and we have been very happy. I like that my boys are with other kids not too far off from their ages. They went to a K-6 before and now having them here in the K-4 I can honestly say I prefer to not have my 1st grader on the bus with a 6th grader! This school also has a great amount of parent participation, I typically go in to help monthly and there is never a shortage of parent helpers!
—Submitted by a parent

No complaints here! We love this school. We withdrew our son from his previous school due to a negative experience (in a different school district). He has had a positive experience here and we feel that everyone we have met holds this school in high regards. I would certainly recommend this school to anyone I meet!
—Submitted by a parent

After reading the comments from some of the other people, I felt the need to comment myself. I have had children at Buckalew for several years and wouldn't trade it for the world. I am not an "involved parent" but do contribute to the class when things are asked and have never felt like the PTO was snobby at all. My kids have had various teachers throughout the years and all have been experienced, talented, caring, supportive. The entire staff is very encouraging and warm. The principal sends an email newsletter twice a month so you always know what's going on (in addition to the teacher websites for particular classroom information). Yes, my children have had their fair share of homework and it hasn't always been easy. However, with the advancing and changing world we live in now, I am glad for it. School is not the same as it was even 10 years ago.....maybe some people who are posting comments here don't realize that.
—Submitted by a parent

Sure there is a class play but your child will be crammed onto the stage while you stand watching. The program is focused on quantity and not quality. Buckalew is focused on the Taks testing - forget about Junior Achievement or anything to do with artwork. I asked. I was told "not interested in the arts." There is a group of parent volunteers and if you're not part of it or your kid didn't start in K, forget being able to volunteer and you're looked at as imposing when visitng or trying to volunteer for events. The principal will tell you directly that her focus is on the rating based from the tests. My son loved his school before Buckalew and can't wait to leave. It's such a disappointment. If there is a problem, the teachers are quick to point out that it's the kid - they're too perfect to have done anything wrong. Plan to have your child study the same thing over and over. When he complains that he's bored, then he's labeled as negative.
—Submitted by a parent

I found many reviews posted to be outdated or inaccurate. The school currently has a choir and while there is no school wide spelling bee there are tons of other events such as "mathnasium", fun runs, family nights as well as each grade performs a musical play. While you may not be encouraged to drop in and observe your child's class daily, there are plenty of oportunities to be at the school. Parents can volunteer in different areas and observe their children at the same time: in the library, as a room mom, in reading groups, in the teacher workroom, lunch duty, reading day, class parties, or be a photographer for the yearbook. This is only a sample of opportunities. You could be in the school almost everyday! Homework amount depends on the teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

My child had a bad experience at this school, and had a difficult time dealing with all the rigidity and excess of schoolwork and homework. The amount of homework and testing is unreasonable for children of their age groups. Children are held back a grade if they may fail the TAKS tests. My child became unhappy here and didnot want to go to school often. We tried unsuccessfully to work with the principal, counselor and teachers. I agree with the last parent who wrote that parents are not allowed to drop in. There is an atmosphere of being unwanted as a parent visiting the school, except on certain occasions when they're invited. This school is rated a 10 by great schools only due to their high test scores. I think that high test scores often come at a great price to our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My three children attended this school for four years. There is a lot of parent involvement, but parents are not allowed to drop in and see how their children are doing. They are only invited at certain activities. There is also a lot of emphasis and pressure to do well on the yearly testing. And, like another parent I agree that there is way too much homework, so there isn't enough time to play or exercise after school. Recess is also taken away often, if the child isn't finished with the large amount of work to be finished during classtime. The principal was very difficult to work with, and nothing could be done to help. A very frustrating school for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

Could not have asked for a better place to be putting our son at kindergarten. Everyone is so warm; atmosphere resembles that of a much smaller private school. I really like that parents are so involved here. And so many kids ride the bus; it is very safe to do so - how convenient is that?? Next year he may be old enough to bike like so many others do. Wonderful Mayberry-esque setup.
—Submitted by a parent

Parent involvement is excellent and it seems to be an overall great school. However, they do not offer a spelling bee, choir, or an honor roll for the children for which I was disappointed. There's also a lot of pressure to send in unnecessary amounts of money for certain activities. For example teacher appreciation gifts. They have asked each student to send in $20 a piece before which I think is ludicrous when you multiply that times 20 students. I'm all for teacher appreciation, don't get me wrong it's important. But not everyone has the money to throw around like that and there is a lot of pressure at Buckalew to do just that...A bit overboard if you ask me.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school for two years, Kindergarten and First grade. She had both a new teacher and an experienced one, who provided consistent guidance and support. I did find the need to encourage more one on one reading, which was what my child needed. The PTO plays a big role, providing financial support in several areas. I didn't find that the mix of children represented a very realistic or diverse group, which was something important to me.
—Submitted by a parent

Buckalew is a great school, but there's too much emphasis placaed on the amount of homework. Many kids have so much homework that they can't play after schoool. The 'buck' also doesn't stop at the school. If you have a complaint, it's always the state legislature's fault.
—Submitted by a parent

Buckalew Elementary is like a home away from home for your children. It is efficiently run but full of warmth and caring for the students and community. There is always some sort of great activity going on for the kids to participate in from plays to bug catching and gardening. There is also a huge amount of parental involvement that I have not ever experienced anywhere else. The teachers at Buckalew work to keep each child challenged and also lay the ground work for the their future education by teaching the children how to research and prepare and present a report as early as the first grade. We have felt blessed to be a part of the Buckalew family.
—Submitted by a parent