Ursula Stephens El

As a parent of a 5 yr old and 9 yr old, I wanted the best school for them. We came from Cy-Fair school district and after 3 weeks in KISD, the difference between districts is overwhelming. My children are happier, excited to go to school and love being hands on in the classrooms. Their teachers are dedicated and truly care for them and their growth. My 5 yr old went to a private preschool and has said he is bored in class but when I reached out to his teacher, I was given an opportunity to have him tested for the G/T Program. I am able to reach both teachers via email, phone, and cell phone. I have had no issues with that at all. Reading the reviews, the emphasizes is on snacks or lack of or not enough time. I am confused, we send our children to a school to learn, not to eat throughout the day. Snacks are a privilege and not many schools offer this option - Cy-Fair didn't. Then we have a reviewer stating it's run like a prison, a bit over dramatic if you ask me. Are they strict about time and protocols? Absolutely and I love it! We need more discipline in our school districts to produce brilliant, law abiding citizens. Most reviews are on how rude the front staff is, not being able to contact various office staff members and snack issues. I find these humorous since I can visualize these reviewers calling constantly asking if their child has eaten a snack or asking how their child is doing that day. If these are their “major” concerns, then they are lucky their children are in that school. Stephens was ranked #1 in the entire state of Texas by the Texas Education Agency and parents are complaining about the school being disciplined and no time for snacks? Seriously? If you are looking for anything other than what truly counts in receiving a top notch education, I suggest you find another school. If you would like your child in a school that is disciplined, well organized and TEA recognized for excellence year after year, Ursula Stephens Elementary is your answer.

Be it that I had a student not only at other KISD Elementary schools but also a Spring Branch ISD Elementary I speak from a place of understanding. Since the beginning of USE the principal has been out of touch with the community. The school is run like a prison and it's very difficult to see how your child is being treated. Some of the staff really do care and give 110% but others are just there for a paycheck. The front office staff are extremely rude most of the time. Trying to get in touch with different front office staff (asst. principals) etc can be quite difficult. Email usually works best, assuming they check it. Phone system voice mails rarely get a return phone call. Kids are bored in class, snacks are short if offered at all and recess if they get it is 30 mins or less. Some of these are district issues, some are state mandated issues and some are school level issues. Parents need to stay involved as much as possible and fight for your child's education! We want a fostering of knowledge and challenge our kids not have it be a prison.

When we moved to Katy, we thought our child would be getting the best education but I feel they haven't lived up to par. Each student is unique in their own way and my child is not being challenged enough by his teachers. If your child is ahead of the learning curve they just have to sit there and do "busy" work and not learn anything. My son spent his whole first grade year coming home telling me he didn't learn anything and it was the same stuff he already learned. The principal here is out of touch with the parents and doesn't try to get parents involved and make them feel welcomed. PTA is unorganized and doesn't make an effort to get parents involved. Parents want to be a part of their children's schools and they shouldn't have to ask continuously if they can do something to help out the school. The staff at the front desk is the worst I've ever seen. They are so rude and need training in customer service. I am also very unhappy with the car rider drop off policy. The teachers are never outside at 7:55am to get the students and the line backs up for the parents that need to get to work because there is only 2 out of 8 teachers opening doors for the children.

My son is in this school for the past 2 years and he will be attending 3rd Grade this year. Love the teachers in this school and they are very considerate and am quite content with the facilities and academic quality of this school as it has been an Exemplary school. However this year my younger son will be attending Pre-K and I felt it was surprising the administration decided not to incur a snack time for these kids who will be in class for 3 hours! I am personally a Montessori teacher and I feel this is not quite appropriate that such young kids be hungry without a small snack for such a long time! Not quite sure! I think they should think it over! Quite concerned.