Highland Park

Highland Park has a mix of great and horrible teachers in each grade. We had some years that were amazing due to the teacher and other years that were hardly tolerable. Overall, it is fine and better than most AISD elementary schools. The building is in pretty bad shape. The biggest issue we have run into is 5th grade math. In 5th grade, the number of kids per class cap lifts, and our year had 34 kids in the math class. In addition, despite tons of feedback each year from parents, the 5th grade math teacher does not teach math like any of the surrounding schools. The kids are thus not ready for middle school math - everyone we know is doing tutoring or Mathnasium this summer to get caught up. My high-achieving child moved DOWN in math quantile due to the math teacher - she teaches every kid like they are too dumb to understand things like multiplication or division. These kids are not ready for their feeder school math - Lamar, and not ready for Kealing, ARS or private either. Parents are told not to teach their kids algorithms and kids get in trouble for using them in class. It's like remedial math for all. Super disappointing to start out behind in middle school due to this.

We're in our 5th year at Ace. The experience is like no other in Central Texas. Our kiddo has been supported in being the bright, sweet, insightful child they are without ever having to have had the experience of a school "failing to meet needs". While there are amazing supports for 2e learners, 1e learners, like ours really need Ace to make friends with like-minded peers. Imagine a loud, fun recess with deep conversations about any topic imaginable. Kids benefit from the SEL - they can work at their level (including RADICAL academic acceleration) while making '6/7' jokes with other kids their own age. No need to grade skip. Come for the academics, stay for the love, friendship and connections.As a parent, I don't worry. Kids get what they need because the teachers here care, are experts in teaching these kids, and WANT to be there. No need to worry about making sure kids are challenged appropriately or isolated socially. The formative yeras matter - kids need to belong in school and Ace does that. In short, if yoy want a school that meets kids where they are and let's them be kids - come check out an info session.