Buffalo Hills

This is one of the most engaged and active community learning environments you can imagine. We have multiple children attending the school and the staff has been fully engaged, very proactive in communication, and the kids feel excited to go to school. The school hosts multicultural night, STEAM night, and seasonal festivals that really tie the community in with the school. There is a large concentration of parents who have high expectations and clearly have the resources to make sure that the kids get what they need. Nothing is perfect but this school is incredible.

While I have often been the beneficiary of online reviews, I rarely write them myself. However, in this case, I feel it is necessary. To provide an impactful and informative review, I have aimed for a balanced assessment of my experience with ATS.Pros•The school maintains a rigorous academic environment that pushes students to excel.•They provide many opportunities that other districts may not, such as swimming and trips to the Kennedy Center.•The school hosts numerous events to foster a sense of community.•For the majority of my child’s time at the school, we encountered teachers who were experienced, empathetic, supportive, and had experience with students from diverse communities.•The school has resources to support students with diverse academic needs.Cons•The school's rigorous academic environment can be stressful for some students.•The school can create a challenging environment for minority students, as some peers may have limited exposure to children from other cultures.•The curriculum often reflects minorities from a "place of lack," which can, unfortunately, perpetuate racial stereotypes.•Unconscious cultural biases are present among some faculty members and the principal.•Instances of racial slurs have occurred within the student body.•Minority students are sent to the principal’s office for minor incidents, and their unique cultural needs are not considered.•The administrators lean more towards protecting their staff than the students.•Some inexperienced teachers lack the self-awareness and emotional intelligence necessary to maintain the psychological safety of all students.What I Learned•Just because a school excels academically does not mean it is a cultural fit for every student.•Regular check-ins with your child are important, as they help you better understand their daily school experiences—especially if your child is a minority student.•Advocating for your child is essential to maintaining a safe and secure environment for them.•Attending school events is important for making your presence known and personally assessing the school environment.•Trusting your gut as a parent is extremely important. •If you objectively feel a teacher is not a good fit for your child, push to have them switch classrooms—even if it’s not presented as an option.