The Branch 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.

My little girl has been in this school since kindergarten and was bullied until the beginning of second grade also got dropped off in wrong bus stop at a very dangerous area in the neighborhood this school does not really let parents engage in activities with the kids. My daughter has only had one field trip in the 3 yrs and it was just making slime I don’t feel like they really care for the students .communication is horrible list goes on and on

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.

Very unprofessional in the last year or 2. Unorganized and shows favoritism to students who receives benefits. Will never recommend this school to any parent or student.

My child was in this school for 4 years. I used to think great things about this school until we pulled him out. He is now thriving at his new school & the teachers are much more understanding. They do projects & take trips unlike at Wilchester. I would not recommend this school. There are much better options in spring branch.

Yorkshire Academy is by far the best school we have experienced, not only from a parent point of view but also our kids as well. Our girls love Yorkshire. The staff and faculty are amazing. The school provides a challenging curriculum to ensure the kids are more than ready for their next stage of their education. In addition, the school does an amazing job establishing an environment that is not only conducive to learning but promotes social growth as well. We love Yorkshire Academy.

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.