Charles Borchers Elementary School

I’m really counting the days for my kid to finish the last year of elementary so my child can try another school and feel better of herself. I just hope her depression diminishes as soon as she gets out of Matias de llano and attends another school. I just hope no other school makes my child feel the way this school injured her in believing in herself and society

My son was at Trautmann from kindergarten to fifth grade, and it is a fabulous school. The teachers are caring, the parents are involved, and a sense of community is truly fostered by teachers, administration and staff. Having said that- the parking lot IS a zoo after school. It's the only time you hear people honk in Laredo!

My husband and I are former teachers, so we're hardcore about academics. We chose this school before we moved to Laredo and bought a house in the neighborhood. We have been so pleased with our decision. The admin and teachers here understand the importance of setting high expectations. Students SHOULD be challenged in order to achieve their full potential! Yes, some of the parents can be extra, but not all families are high SES. A bonus is the diversity: there are several families from overseas, and I love that my kids have the opportunity to make international friends.

Based on my own personal opinion dealing with the staff at this school, there's no doubt that this school is an excellent institution where children learn and grow to their own academic potential.

Very south Texas strict environment, punishments handed out as negative tokens for things like, asking to go to the bathroom during class, forgetting a pencil in your locker. I also think uniforms are outdated, but are very popular here. Many teachers, especially the ones who have been around a while, are not certified. Parents are not encouraged to come to school for lunch. Just really misses the boat, it really about a controlling environment, instead of *learning*, thinking critically, or engendering a love of learning. Really need a head of school and committee committed to best practices, achievement and nurturing academic and whole child growth. Anyone of any consequence graduate from UDS? Probably not. Need new leadership, better quality teachers, lose the uniforms, and realize a great school is not tied to archaic methods of controlling children.