Benchmark Plan in Walden Pond by DRB Homes
Forney, TX 75126

absolute worst school in Kaufman, this school is a joke!

Several teachers displayed unprofessional behavior and appeared to show favoritism toward certain students, while being dismissive and disrespectful toward others. Instead of focusing on teaching and guidance, some staff members engaged in arguments with students, which created a hostile and unproductive learning environment.Bullying among students was a consistent issue, and it did not appear to be adequately addressed. This caused ongoing stress and required my child to constantly defend herself, which interfered with her ability to focus on learning.Additionally, the food options were extremely limited, with students being served the same meals repeatedly, which is concerning for growing children who need variety and nutrition.Overall, I would not recommend this school. If you care about your child’s education, emotional safety, and overall school experience, I strongly suggest exploring other options.

As a substitute teacher, I had a very difficult experience with one of the classes at Smith Intermediate. The group I worked with showed a high level of disrespect — students would openly deny things I had just witnessed, challenge corrections, and even try to turn it around to make the adult look wrong. When I attempted to redirect behavior, several students reacted with eye-rolling, loud sighs, talking over me, and comments under their breath. A few even encouraged each other to undermine what I said, which made it nearly impossible to maintain order.What was especially discouraging was that when I sought support, I was told that if students feel ‘disrespected,’ they won’t back down. I was not being disrespectful — I was enforcing expectations — yet I faced major disrespect and saw no meaningful repercussions for the students.The lack of accountability was frustrating, and it felt like students were more interested in testing limits than learning. Many students would benefit from clearer boundaries, consistent consequences, and greater parent/guardian involvement. I’ve substituted in other schools where kids can be energetic but still respectful — this was different. I believe stronger support systems, consistent discipline from administration, and behavioral interventions could make a big difference here.