Criswell
Austin, TX 78754

During the early days of the pandemic I was finally able to figure out what the heck was going on, and why the Manor schools were trying to put my kid in gifted and talented. My son is very smart but we came from a financially well endowed public school where the kids were academically where they were supposed to be or above. By trying to put my kid in the GT program it was a form of kicking the can down the road. After we moved my kid had to play a little catch up academically and when asked said that he was thankful we had the resources to move, and that even though he had to undergo a process to get into MNTHS, he was worried about his peers unpreparedness to advance to a university setting. Manor has potential but as it stands there exists some discipline issues( I was once at the school and quickly locked in a room as an all out brawl broke out, I paid and lost to sticky fingers and the fact there are NO lockers multiple glue guns and various school supplies. In the years between 4-9th grade there were some excellent teachers and I tried to support them either with supplies or volunteering but they need help! The district we originally came from( different state) all teachers had a para professional in the room, and way more peripheral help. I am confident as new homes are built and real estate taxes are dispersed this district has the potential to be great.

Many international teachers were kept over Americans. My daughter had a teacher who spoke Spanish and taught English last year but now the teacher has a difficult accent to comprehend. I just hope she doesn't fall behind.

I have a second grader at PCE and we love it. We actually did out of district enrollment to stay at PCE because of how great the experience is. They have free breakfast and lunch for every kid, nobody goes hungry. They even let my kid grab breakfast if/when she is late. My kid comes home telling me about all sorts of stuff she learned and I feel like she is retaining things well. There are lots of opportunities to be involved as a parent, and the PTA does a great job. Principal Gaston has been fair and responsive, Mr. House always makes sure kids are greeted in the morning with a smile. They have a boys and girls club after school program that goes until 5:30. Love PCE