1010 out of 10GreatSchools

Forest Trail Elementary School

Austin, TX
  • Public
  • |
  • Grades K-5
  • |
  • Enrollment: 591

Overview

Forest Trail Elementary School
1203 Texas 360 Loop
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 732-9160
Forest Trail Elementary School is located in Austin, TX and serves grades K-5.It received a GreatSchool rating of 10 out of 10
This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Student Diversity

Race

Percentage

Multiracial
2%
Asian/Pacific Islander
11%
Hispanic
11%
White, non-Hispanic
75%
Other
1%

Reviews15 Reviews

4.0
parent
All around great school - great teachers, administrators and support systems for students in all applicable grades. Truly one of the best in the state!
Five stars, or "Great" just doesn't even begin to cut it when it comes to Forest Trail. I need the star that says "BEST SCHOOL EVER"! Seriously! I spent over a decade in public education prior to staying at home with children, and I can honestly say that it just doesn't get any better than this! From the wise decision-making under the leadership of Charles McCasland, to the expertise among classroom teachers, to the friendliness of staff members, to the "just right" level of involvement of the parents, to the well-mannered behavior of the students, to the importance placed on philanthropic activities, to the engagement of students in the school garden and chicken coup...this school HAS IT ALL! Charles McCasland has "built an empire" in his many years at Forest Trail. He seems to have a knack for hiring the cream of the crop and then working to bring out greatness in them that they did not even know was there. He is an inspirational leader rather than a micromanager. Teachers universally speak very highly of him, which speaks volumes! Mr. McCasland has a gentle way of communicating. He is thoughtful, wise and caring. Even when sharing concerns, (which he has had the opportunity to do with my children), he speaks in a way that lets me know he has my child's best interest at heart. My children have been blessed with FAB-U-LOUS teachers who put in countless hours working to reach my children academically, socially and emotionally. By engaging the students with projects and activities that build independence, cooperation, and responsibility, the teachers FAR exceed the basic "test prep" minimums! I have fully appreciated the unique strengths each teacher has offered my children and the ways they have all worked to meet and challenge the specific needs of my children - academically and behaviorally. Each year, I have felt a strong partnership between home and school. My children get off the bus each day excited to share about the things they are learning - from math centers, to science experiments, to art projects! They ask to to download songs they've learned in music and they teach my husband and I the games they learn in PE! ALL of the teachers seem to teach from a place of passion, which has lit a learning spark in my children! I could not imagine a better place to launch my children's educational career! Forest Trail really is the BEST SCHOOL EVER!
parent
I usually don't comment on boards such as this, but it's important for me to tell as many people as possible that as a former Forest Trail parent, what a fabulous school this is. First of all, Forest Trail is one of the most loving, caring, professional, schools my kids have ever gone to. Forest Trail does such a good job meeting the needs of ALL students. The staff is a group of highly qualified teachers who genuinely care about every student. The teachers spend countless hours doing what they need to do to make school great for every student. Both of my children were very much ready for middle school, high school, college and ultimately life because of the wonderful base they had at Forest Trail.Forest Trail teachers not only taught my children the book knowledge needed to move on to the next level, but Forest Trail seemed very committed to teaching my children life skills. They learned manners and skills that didn't just come from our home.Forest Trail was also a very fun place for my kids. They LOVED the Trailblazer Assemblies that happened every 6 weeks. The assemblies provided an opportunity for my children to learn the school songs (one of which is a fun parody using an 80s hit-not 60s as mentioned in another comment) as well as patriotic songs important to all Americans such as The Star Spangled Banner and other fun songs. I still hear former Falcons singing these songs. They also loved the "cut the tie" and the fun kid-friendly awards they received when they earned "trailblazers." My kids also have fond memories of Live Oak camp for 5th grade, the ocean trip for 4th grade, Falcon Frolics and a vast amount of other activities and memories the staff at Forest Trail did and still does for their beloved students.The staff at Forest Trail is the best of the best. They were and continue to be very highly qualified, caring people who helped my children be successful as they progressed and continue to progress through life.You can't go wrong if you choose to live in a neighborhood that gets to attend Forest Trail.
This is a mediocre school in a prestigious district. We have four kids and my husband recently retired from the military, so we've had a lot of exposure to different schools. The teachers at this one are fine (and some are great, as at any school) but don't have super-high academic expectations just because this school is in a high-performing district. The campus culture discourages homework, and students who are significantly above or below their grade level will not be given the special attention they need (again, this is like at most other public schools). There is almost no diversity in this school, and no effort on the part of the staff to create awareness of diversity or a social conscience. Quarterly school spirit assemblies typically feature kids singing school songs to the tune of 80's pop songs, then on to the raffles to see who wins treats (money for lucky teachers, goodies for lucky kids.) Our kids' peers were overwhelmingly focused on parties and sports, with little interest in academics. When I volunteered there I noticed students were often rowdy, and my son told me about a boy in his class who was bullied all year- cliques and social pressure are big at this school. The negative comments made by other reviewers about the principal are accurate- the parents are the ones who run this school (that's for the worse-it needs real leadership). I could go on, but I've stated my basic case. If you want your kids ensconced in a 99% white, affluent school that is permissive of their behavior issues, rewards them for just showing up every day, and ignores both the world around them and the importance of working hard to prepare for the future, then Forest Trail is your school. If you want a more studious environment for your child, who may not spend the rest of his life in the social bubble of Westlake, then go elsewhere. After two years of giving FTE a fair chance, we left and our kids are much better off.
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