Good Shepherd Episcopal School

Bryker Woods Elementary is a gem in Austin — and the only IB elementary school in the city!Our family has had a fantastic experience here. The teachers are attentive and supportive, and the school offers a good mix of extracurriculars, including arts, athletics, and a robotics team.Our daughter was behind in reading after the pandemic, and while it took a couple of school years, the teachers worked with her consistently. By 4th grade, she was back on track and is now doing well in reading, math, and science.The principal is a sharp, thoughtful educator who leads the school with a clear vision. You can tell the whole staff is aligned around a high standard of teaching and learning.We feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Bryker Woods community.

The facility is new and beautiful! People seem so happy going in and out. We have two children having two different experiences. The 1st grade teacher is enthusiastic about her work and seems well trained and prepared. She can speak to specific strengths and weaknesses of our kiddo. Our student is making great strides and is engaged with his learning in positive, goal attaining ways. The class seems bonded and they enjoy eachother.In contrast, our 3rd grader has changed from an engaged student, conversational about topics discussed in class, to a bored kid who went so far as to say they “don’t care anymore”. Classroom management is an issue & reveals a lack of training and maturity (Pointedly using girls to tattle on the boys, assigning seats next to girls as a punishment) We’ve noticed that they haven’t bonded with any adults at the school and even we, successful adults in our professional lives, have trouble meaningfully communicating with faculty. If we struggle and we’re experienced, it feels almost futile for a 3rd grader. Many parents have told us that the 3rd grade teachers have a history of being this way, and that 4th grade is much better. We look forward to next year and a fresh start! Campus leadership is charming and energetic in group/public settings and says all the right things but our individual interactions with leadership have been curt and condescending. Shockingly so. Not, “Oh he’s busy and under a lot of pressure”, more making a point to be unwelcoming and dismissive. I’ve observed an unfortunate dynamic with students. Leadership is either bubbling with positivity or barking orders. But many people adore leadership. Support for him is strong. It’s honestly very confusing. What did we do? Was our PTA donation too small? Do they dislike us?To my knowledge the school does not use corporal punishment, however they do use physical correction. They do grab students by the arm, etc. My spouse observed a teacher do this in line outside. He couldn’t figure out what the child had done. I observed the principal do it to a child in line in the cafeteria who wasn’t facing forward. It was all very public with witnesses, so clearly an accepted part of the culture of the school. Everybody told us how much we would love the school, so in many ways I’m deeply disappointed, on the other hand, it could be worse. And we are fortunate that the student body is solid with involved parents and that the facility and grounds are lovely.

We have loved this school! This principal and assistant principal have been very supportive of our children and their needs. They have helped work as a team with the teachers to make sure they are succeeding. The teachers have all been wonderful. When there has been issues or concerns they have been resolved quickly!

Headwaters has been a life-changing experience for our daughter and our family. From the moment she came home after her first day, beaming and saying, “I found my people,” we knew this was the right place. Over three years, she blossomed—not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and creatively. The school’s culture of trust, open dialogue, and authentic learning helped her grow into herself with confidence and joy. She especially loved the vibrant classroom discussions, the freedom to explore downtown, and unforgettable experiences like the Bioneers trip and jazz band competition in Philadelphia. We’re deeply grateful to the dedicated teachers and staff, and especially to the head of the high school, who went above and beyond to support her Spanish studies while leading the school—and welcoming a new baby! Headwaters was worth every mile of our daily commute from Cedar Park. It’s a place where students are truly seen, supported, and inspired.

"Mom, I love Kirby Hall School! Can I go there for 3rd grade? Can I go there all the grades? How many grades to they have?" This is a direct quote from my son will doing his reading homework recently. This is our first year, but it's already exceeded our hopes. This is the type of school experience we as parents were wanting, that our son would love school and enjoy his "job" as a child of learning, growing and socializing. I have never seen a school environment where the kids literally run inside in excitement to begin the day at 8:10 I may add, and have such agency and confidence walking inside. It's gratifying to see how staff support and teach kids in ways that I was petrified of or suffered through myself in school. They're on stage in front of the whole school, they make presentations to their class, they have advisory to ask for help, they are learning to read music; I didn't learn a lot of this until after college! Everyone enjoys being there and supporting one another. It's a relaxing and engaging place to be. They are outside a ton in lovely shaded nature. We love the smaller class sizes, 15 is the usual cap. There is a ton of natural light from all the windows. The kids are really confident and comfortable moving around, changing subjects and talking to adults. I love the ambassador program where the kids can volunteer to be buddies for the visitors. This school teaches and grows our child in so many ways.