Hill Elementary School

No school is perfect. Teachers today are challenged with navigating an increasingly diverse population. I am a teacher and I know it is a tough job. I have had one child finish their elementary education here and I have another child still attending Duff. Both of my children display regression with regard to STAAR scores. Normally this would not bother me at all. This school instills fear over testing based on my experience. One grade level would not provide my child with individual positive feedback. When I pressed the issue, I found no support from admin and can echo what another parent says regarding administrative support. I sent multiple emails to the principal that were simply ignored. When I copy the higher up, district personnel they finally responded with a generic email. I wanted to love this school so much but I am not able to report many positive interactions. The music teacher is wonderful! His programs are amazing. The front office ladies are great as well. Y family has not had a positive experience with anyone else. This school is run like a prison. My child dropped a pencil out of her reach, asked (whispered) her classmate to hand it to her and then was reprimanded so severely she came home in tears. Admin does not care. They blindly support their teachers. I can appreciate backing your people up but you his school is more on the “good ole boy,” system. If you’re one of the good ole boys, you get the best. If you’re not? Too bad for you. As a teacher myself, I always wondered why special education students needed “positive reinforcement,” as an accommodation. It seems to me, as someone who feels called to teach neurodivergent learners, that positive reinforcement is the norm.This school taught me not all teachers agree. If it’s not in the IEP, they don’t positively reinforce student behavior. Apparently even if it is an accommodation in a students educational plan, they still may not get all that they need despite the myriad of financial resources they have. If you have the option, look elsewhere for an inclusive environment for your child.

TMA is a wonderful school with very caring educators, administrators, parents, etc... Our daughter loves going to school everyday and we love sending her to school everyday. She has only been going one semester and it's made a huge difference in her ability to take care of herself, and others. She's more helpful and determined/ focused on her tasks.