Austin Middle School

Austin is a great school, my son is in his 4th year (5th-8th) and making straight A's. But wow, about these reviews....to the person whining that they are not "very discriminating about who they let in"...REALLY???? Is this person "discriminating"? How in the world can a parent make a statement like this about another child....they have no idea what kind of grades another child makes by their looks. And the whining about their child having homework??? AGAIN, REALLY??? This is a STEM school, the parent had to "apply" in order for their child to get in, the child must make good grades and have good attendance and behavior throughout their elementary years. When your child is accepted into the school you are told (and given written handouts) that there is homework nightly and a lot of projects. As far as 4 HOURS A NIGHT...NO, not at all. The child must not be using their time wisely and completing what they can in school OR they do not completely understand the topic and the parent should help their child instead of whining about it on a website. Side note: there are tutoring sessions offered for children who need extra help. Recess is a thing of the past and ends in elementary around here, if that is not acceptable....enroll your child out of this district and most around Houston as well because they no longer have recess either. Athletics and several sports are offered, they also get to take beach breaks in the warm weather (lunch, football, soccer, etc. on the beach). My child has been rewarded a lot so the comment about children not being rewarded is simply not true.

We moved from a Midwestern state to Galveston this past year, so my child has spent nearly one full year at Austin. I have consistently been impressed with the opportunities provided by the teachers for field trips, volunteer activities, and outside learning experiences for the children. My child seamlessly integrated into a peer group and has had a wonderful time at this school. The teachers are bright and energetic, with a lot of good ideas. One teacher in particular has been a favorite for my child and makes a usually dull subject seem exciting. For those who said the children don't have recess, this is true, but if the child signs up for athletics they will have an athletics period and get some physical activity most days.

This school is disappointing. I expected the kids to be inspired, avid learners, and for the educational environment and the teachers to enrich their experience and instill a love of learning through discovery. This is not the case. They don't seem to be very discriminating about who they allow into this "magnet program"There's no recess, hardly any time for electives or PEIf you send your child here, be prepared to do homework with them for up to four hours a night. The scheduling is hectic, only 45 minutes to an hour in each subject each day, and hours of homework every night because they don't have time to finish their work in class, so it becomes homework! They expect too much of the younger grades (5 & 6) who are just exhausted from all the demands of being expected to act like little adults "being prepared for careers in science and technology." My child is completely burned out on this now - my child used to love school & science, now doesn't want to go.I'm very unimpressed with the entire Galveston district - this is supposed to be the best middle school on the island, but it's nothing special. Creativity and independence are NOT rewarded here. Too regimented for free-spirited kids. More time is spent on standardized testing than anything else (benchmark assessments done EVERY 6 weeks, takes a week out of every term).

Awesome school, with an awesome staff, and the educational opportunities my son has received are priceless!