Rose Garden Elementary School

Just another school with a curriculum based entirely on the low standards set by "no child left behind." Looks like a trailer home from the outside. On the inside, a very mediocre curriculum geared towards getting children to pass the minimum standards. Because other schools in the district do not have so many children who need to have the entire curriculum geared to them, there is more leeway for acceleration. Very Strict environment which I suppose is necessary considering the kids with special behavioral needs and low academic ability funneled to the school. I home school rather than send my 2 kids here. They are an average of 2-3 years above grade level in every subject. My 11 year old is doing algebra, my 6 year old has the reading ability of a 4-5th grader. There was nothing for them at Rose Garden.
--Submitted by a parent

Schools are a lot like people in some respect. You can't judge a person's character or abilities by the clothes they wear or the neighborhood in which they live; but some people do. Yes Rose Garden has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged and at risk students. It is now the oldest school in the district, but there is a charm about it and it still feels like a neighborhood campus. A school is not just about the demographics of its student population or the surrounding real estate; it is about the caring people who see the potential to learn in all children. The teachers and staff at Rose Garden do a wonderful job of teaching those children. The fact that Rose Garden received an exemplary rating is proof all children can be academically successful if they are given the tools to learn by teachers who inspire their students to reach for the stars. I raised 2 sons through this district many years ago and Rose Garden was their elementary campus. My house won't make the Better Homes and Gardens magazine and I don't wear designer clothes. But my husband and I instilled in our children the importance of education and to never judge people by their economic standing.
--Submitted by a parent

In these times all school are geared to teach and pass the TAKS test, but these guys make it some how fun. I have had 4 children go through this school and all have approved of it to include The Wife!!. My spouse has asked to be involved in our kids classroom and has been invited to come back several times. Some parents today want the school not only to do the teaching but also the parenting of their children. I find it that the more that you seek to be involved with the school the more of a greater and happier experience you will have here. Sincerely, A Dad
--Submitted by a parent

I went for a month and cried every day. strict and boring. kids were not very smart, my mom said it is a feeder school for kids with problems. soooooo glad I left.

I have 3 boys who are attending, or have attended this school, and I have one more boy that soon will be attending this school. We love Rose Garden Elementary, now rated exemplary by the state. The teachers are excellent, the principal and support staff are outstanding, and they all take the time to know our children names, and their siblings names. I am not sure why the other posts said that parent involvement is not encouraged, because I am very involved and volunteer all the time. There are also a lot of other parents who volunteer as well. My boys not only have teachers, they have lifelong mentors who take in interest in them after they leave. I would not want my boys to go to any other school, because they receive the best education right now!
--Submitted by a parent

Curriculum is geared to the minimum knowledge needed for the TAKS. Kids in 1st greade were learning numbers 1-10 for 2 months! Talking was discourgaged at lunchtime, and the environment seemed very strict. My son was very bored yet made to do a lot of repetitive homework which was tedious because he knew the concepts. Parental involvemet is discouraged, i asked at least 3 times to be involved in the PTO and never received calls back, and then heard that the officers had been elected. I would not recommend
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible! horrible! horrible! The admin. staff do not truly care about the children just recieveing money from the state! This school did not teach my children anything that i already did not teach them at home! do not send them to this school!
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent scholl with excellent staff. Most teachers in all different grade levels know my children's names. I have a child in Kinder & 3rd and have nothing but highest regard for the staff & principal of this school. The comments in the previous post regarding the TAKS test has nothing to to with this school. That is a state mandated test and requires the school to prep the students. Also, the gifted program has nothing to do with, if your child can regurgitate facts and count. That aside, I appreciate all the care and effort extended to my children by the more than capable staff. I wouldn't want them to go anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible! TAKS is paramount, nothing but teaching to the test. My 1st grader was overwhelmed by tedious homework. He could read when he was 3, count to 100 by 2 3/4, at 5 could identify every state of the US without labels, knows all the flags, on and on, yet didn't qualify for their meagre gifted program. The sad thing is that it is a 'recognized' school! No parental involvement they say they want it because they have to, it is the law, but they really don't. Good luck!
--Submitted by a parent

I don't have a great deal of experience with this school being that my child is only in kindergarten but what I have experienced with it to this point I think has been wonderful. The teachers (at least on the kinder level) seem to put great effort into teaching the children. The extra activites are just enough, if not more, than what is necessary to maintain a healthy balance for children at school. Also, the level of parent involvement (again at least on kinder level) seems to be pretty good. What's best of all, in my opinion, is that the current principal is amazing. She just seems to put great pride into each and every one of her students. She shows tremendous care and involvment in everything, which to me is an awesome plus. She is also incredibly kind. What more could you want!
--Submitted by a parent