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.

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.

Principal is not an effective curriculum leader or supervisor of students and teachers. The school could be much better with an effective leader; I would you send your kids to Thornwood Elementary or Rummel Creek.

My girls love going to school! We are greeted by the wonderful staff at carpool with smiling faces both at drop off and pick up. They also share antidotes or interactions they have with our little ones each day. From my first tour five years ago to present day, I knew my granddaughters were in “good hands”. Yorkshire Academy is a place of learning that embraces students as well as their families. Staff members provide a warm, nurturing environment that allows its students to learn, explore, and grow. Students are taught rigorous academic content, as well as a variety of enrichment courses that stretch their minds by exposure. On campus you don’t turn a corner without seeing smiling students that develop a love for learning. I cannot imagine a better place for my granddaughters to prosper!

I went to this school from EC (kindergarten) through 5th grade and it was the best time of my life. I made so many memories and friends here. I'm in high school and I'm still learning things in school that I learned in 5th grade and below, it's crazy. I got so much from this school, experiences, memories, amazing handwriting, the ability to write cursive and amazing organizational skills. The teachers I had were amazing, I don't know about now but I'm sure they only hire the best. Sherwood Forest allowed me to express myself and really develop my personality which I'm so thankful for. I was never a really rich kid, we were actually pretty poor, but I never got treated any differently by teachers or peers which I'm so grateful for. Though I love a lot of things about this school, I didn't like somethings. First off, I still have body issues because of constant bullying and body shaming from my peers, though I did not know it at the time. I was in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, I shouldent have been worrying about that stuff. It really depends on the group of people you are going to school with, but a lot of rich people are like that so watch your back. I wouldent say this is the schools fault, but they could have done more to try and prevent it from happening. I also believe the punishments are unfair at this school. A lot of the time we would do something so small and we would have this big punishment. I feel like there should also be more talk about the real world. It would have been nice to know about things like bullying and stuff before I got thrown into public school. I'm not saying they should tell them EVERYTHING, but at least get out the general point. I think the biggest concern I had with this school is that they didn't notice I had ADHD until 5th grade. I attended this school for 8 years and they didn't even suspect it. I got in trouble a lot for things I couldent control because of this, and felt like I was an awful person because I couldent follow the rules. But overall, this school was amazing. I would recommend sending your kid here, no matter If they are rich or poor. Everyone at this school is really inclusive, non discriminatory and overall really nice people. Your kid will have a lot of fun here and make life long friends and memories. My favorite memories all came from this school, there are so many trips you get to go on too, my favorite being camp Allen. Anyways, I love this school, and I think your kid will too.