Mills Elementary School

OHE is a great school with so much heart. The teachers LOVE their students, with many teachers having taught at OHE their entire careers (20+ years!!) Academically, OHE is a great school, particularly pre-pandemic. The last two years however, there has been less challenging work assigned. This seems to be the case all over the country. All that being said, the school does a great job with student's mental health and supporting their kids.The OHE PTA is very involved, welcoming and help supplement the school where state funding lacks. There are so many ways to get involved, big and small. The school has a great mix of after school clubs and PTA events.

Patton Elementary is an incredible school that has grown and evolved significantly over the years, becoming a cornerstone of West Oak Hill’s rapidly improving community. As the neighborhood transforms and attracts new families, the positive impact on the school has been remarkable. With property values rising and tax dollars flowing into local schools, Patton has benefitted greatly, becoming a hub for parents who prioritize education and community.One of the standout aspects of Patton Elementary is its phenomenal staff. Over the last two years, I’ve witnessed a shift in teacher engagement and dedication. The faculty here go above and beyond, fostering an environment where students not only learn but thrive. The curriculum is innovative and enriching, tailored to encourage curiosity and critical thinking, which has been a huge draw for families moving into the area. The staff is warm, approachable, and committed to creating a nurturing space for children, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.What sets Patton apart even more is the changing demographic of West Oak Hill. As the area becomes more sought after, it’s bringing in amazing families who are invested in their children’s success and the school’s progress. Over the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting incredible parents who share a passion for education and community building. These connections have been one of the highlights of my time here, and it’s bittersweet now that my son has graduated.Year after year, I’ve seen noticeable progress at Patton. Post-pandemic, the school has made tremendous strides in creating a positive and effective learning environment. From the quality of programs to the upgraded facilities, everything seems to be moving in the right direction. It’s heartening to know that this school is a place where children are encouraged to reach their potential, supported by engaged teachers and like-minded families.If you’re considering West Oak Hill, Patton Elementary is a shining example of why this area is worth investing in. The combination of a growing, vibrant community and a school that consistently improves makes this neighborhood a fantastic choice for families. Highly recommend both the school and the area—it’s a place where education and community truly come together.

I don't like this school at especially because they put demon hunters to the classmates of my nephew. They confuse the kids making them believe that demons can become good. I'm sorry but that's unacceptable. I won't and will never recommend this school to anyone I know. Please don't go to this school.

Clayton Elementary is outstanding! The teachers and staff are incredibly dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring. They create a welcoming and supportive learning environment where every student is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The curriculum is challenging, engaging, and contains a variety of hands-on activities and projects that help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. The school also offers a nice range of extracurricular activities, including music, sports, and clubs, which help to foster a sense of community and school spirit. Overall, I am thrilled with the education my child is receiving at this school and would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a top-notch elementary education for their child

PLEASE take heed before sending your children here. As a Waldorf alumni, we wanted Waldorf for our kids even though my education wasn’t perfect. We were there 8 yrs and saw a lot of really disturbing things, mostly stemming from the admin. While there, the head of school changed 4 times, each one worse than the next. With one of the new heads of school, we got an email describing him. I literally said to my spouse, “I don’t know anything about running a school but I’m willing to bet he only lasts 2 years.” It wasn’t rocket science, they put it in the email - he’d worked at Waldorf schools in three different states all around the country. Unfortunately I was right, he didn’t even last one year. No idea HOW they’re hiring who they are but it terrible. The teachers were pretty toxic too, not towards our kids so much thankfully but I saw terrible favoritism, labeling, and bullying from teachers toward students. There was a HUGE turn over in teachers, which says a lot. I saw SO MANY kids unable to read simple words in 3rd grade. I could go on and on about the things parents I met there shared with me. I heard of so many children there taking huge blows to their self esteem, falling WAY behind in all subjects. I heard of random racism, letting some kids arrive late daily while another family of a different nationality was asked to leave for being late way less often. One child we knew of sustained an injury in the morning, wasn’t attended to, then was let by the school to walk home after school. When the mom took him to the ER, he needed stitches. When the child went back to school, the PE teacher said to the child, “I TOLD you you’d need stitches.” She should’ve told an adult. Never did. Shameful.It is not the warm community you’d expect. Families are asked to clean the classrooms before the first day of school while other Waldorf schools host potlucks on campus to help families get to know each other. The parents are VERY cliquish. The school never offered any parent workshops. I did have friends I met there who had ok experiences with the school and academically but they were less than 50%. Just look at the class sizes… there’s a waitlist in kinder and the early grades, then very small classes in the upper grades and high school. People go there, hoping like we did, and wisely LEAVE.Austin Waldorf is a very sick place and gives Waldorf a bad name. PLEASE take heed before sending your children here.

Our daughter is three and a half, and she just finished her first year of preschool (Primary) at Parkside. We couldn't be more pleased to have her attending this special school. From top to bottom, it's an excellent program with marvelous staff and leadership, and a wonderful community. Some of things we love most about Parkside: it's uniquely and authentically Montessori, which was important to us when we were looking at schools. The teachers (called guides) are loving, creative, and thorough in their teaching methods. We were blown away when barely a month in, our daughter came home singing about all the continents of the world! The 12-acre campus is beautiful and well maintained. The kids get lots of outdoor time and often take hikes together as a class. They learn to value and sing about nature, including our new favorite song, "Chlorophyll" written by the founders. Music is a big part of Parkside life, and at least 1-2 events a week are organized around it (parents are invited to participate as well). We've enjoyed all the opportunities for families to get involved at Parkside and we've made some great friends already. Even through the craziness of the pandemic, Parkside staff led the way with through health protocols and regular communication with Austin Public Health to keep the kids safe and allow school to continue. In short, we've found Parkside to be an amazing, friendly, beautiful place that is nurturing our daughter to her full potential. We highly recommend it!