Shadow Oaks Elementary School

We wanted to provide a review for any new family ( not from Houston/ outside Memorial) considering this school for their children, specially for people of colour, or hailing from a different country. Our review is personal to our experience at the school and we appreciate may provide a different viewpoint than held by the majority of white families. We joined the school last year arriving as expats from another English speaking country, our child is brown of Asian heritage, was in third grade and was sadly bullied at the school. We raised a complaint but were told that meanness did not equate to bullying and the school assistant principal offered our son counseling at the school. We then learnt from other families of instances of bullying, specially from those of color, different religion. Some were too afraid to raise this publicly, but spoke of it in private. Many had no option to leave the school. We also had comments which we feel were racist made by a class teacher regarding black students our child was seen playing with being a “bad influence”on our child. This was a tipping point for us. We did not get invited to birthday parties, many families at the neighborhood pool would treat us as “invisible” and look past us. We were told by the school this was “normal”. My son was also bullied to give a gift to two boys “from a respectable” doctor family, who refused to invite him to their birthday thereafter. My younger daughter made only one friend, was questioned about her hair colour, was told to go away from a group of girls playing together and her only friend would never come over for play dates to our home. The school is very focused on testing results and lessons are raced through ending in a test. The GT classes are great but at Bendwood and many children we hear want to drop out of the GT program because of bullying/ rough playing at recess there. The school does little to educate its children to be inclusive, open minded or sympathetic. Foul language and hitting, video gaming, showing off about branded shoes seems to be the ethos here. We tried hard, knocked many doors and spoke to teachers. A few families in the neighborhood cared ( mind you also not native to Memorial) and we are thankful for their kindness. After a year we finally left the school for a private school this academic year. We hope this review sheds a light for anyone similarly placed as us, a professional, educated, brown immigrant family.

Would not recommend school, they are very biased towards POC. My child was neglected at the school many times coming home with a broken arm, dehydrated because they refused her water at school after playing in 80 degree weather, she also came home more than once with hives. Until my child has attended she’s never had any issues like this and the principal is very hard to get into contact with and the staff is disrespectful and unorganized. They definitely do not have the best interest of your child at heart.

We love Sherwood! Couldn’t imagine our kids in any other school. We’ve had both our children in since 2020 and will continue here through Elementary. The staff is wonderful, teachers are so nurturing and respectful. It is a small but mighty school that goes above and beyond for each individual student.

A welcoming school with a talented and kind staff. They’re involved with the children and help them grow as individuals. Our child is thriving for the first time (5th grade) and actually finally loves school. He is happy and learning so much. They go on field trips and make learning interesting! I wish we could stay here after 8th grade.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School has truly been a blessing for my son who started there in 6th grade. The school has really helped my son thrive academically, socially and spiritually. The teachers are very dedicated and most of them have been teaching at this school for a long time. We can tell that they love what they do. The teachers and staff communicate well with parents and students. We feel that this school is the best place for our son who enjoys being a "Saint".