Larkspur Elementary (Keller, Howe, Olmos Park: homes, elementary school, live)

[LolaSonner]

Hello,

My sister has 2 kiddos who have been homeschooled but she wants to put them into regular school and she's zoned for Larkspur (78216). Can anyone give any personal experience or details about this school? I looked on Great Schools and it has a 4 rating out of 10 so it doesn't seem very good and the couple of parent reviews said they don't want parents involved at the school, helping out etc. which seems weird to me.

She is asking about doing school choice but she doesn't have transport and I know you do have to transport the children yourself if you do school choice.

So her only option right now is Larskspur and I'm having a hard time gathering real information about the every day nitty gritty of the place.

Bearing in mind also that these kids have never been in a public school system and they're ages and 8 and 9, respectively.

Thanks in advance!

[Cuero]

My sources inside NEISD confirm it is a rough school with very little parent involvement. Although the reason given for that is the low SEC of many of the parents. My kids are in NEISD and my wife and I do a lot of volunteer work for the district. I would try to get a carpool or find some way to get my kids to another school.

[ashbeeigh]

A low performing NEISD school is always going to be better than a low performing SAISD school. Larkspur, Jackson Keller and Olmos Park are some of the lowest performing schools in the district, but I'd still put my kids in one of those schools before i put them in a low/medium performing SAISD school. That's just my "I don't have kids but lived in the area" experience.

[TX-born]

I'm in a similar predicament. My children are zoned to go to Larkspur as well. However, I've seen the same low ratings and I'm a bit worried as well. I'm leaning towards charter schools.

[pobre]

Realize that the education your child receives at Larkspur will be good...the "low-performing" comes from STAAR test results. Schools that draw from a lower SES tend to be lower performing, as those kids tend to arrive at school with more needs (social, behavior and economic). One of the biggest factors in a child's educational success is parental involvement and support (not necessarily volunteering, but playing an active role in a child's education). Title 1 schools will have less parental involvement as those families tend to be squeezed for time. Those schools encourage parental involvement!

I would have suggested touring the school while school was still in session, but it's too late this school year.

Charter schools are not necessarily going to be better.

Whatever you choose, please look at more than one metric or data source.

[LovingSAT]

Originally Posted by pobre

Realize that the education your child receives at Larkspur will be good...the "low-performing" comes from STAAR test results. Schools that draw from a lower SES tend to be lower performing, as those kids tend to arrive at school with more needs (social, behavior and economic). One of the biggest factors in a child's educational success is parental involvement and support (not necessarily volunteering, but playing an active role in a child's education). Title 1 schools will have less parental involvement as those families tend to be squeezed for time. Those schools encourage parental involvement!

I would have suggested touring the school while school was still in session, but it's too late this school year.

Charter schools are not necessarily going to be better.

Whatever you choose, please look at more than one metric or data source.

And as parents do your part as far as being involved, providing reading opportunities at home, sit and work with your child and help out at the school whenever possible.

Parent involvement is always welcome!

[TXEX06]

Originally Posted by LovingSAT

Parent involvement is always welcome!

Parental involvement is necessary! I teach at a recognized elementary school within SAISD (many exemplary schools within the the district also) and I will echo everything Pobre said. I actually take offense to Ash's ignorant post.

[LovingSAT]

Originally Posted by TXEX06

Parental involvement is necessary! I teach at a recognized elementary school within SAISD (many exemplary schools within the the district also) and I will echo everything Pobre said. I actually take offense to Ash's ignorant post.

I am a product of SAISD and did very well. As did all my siblings. My parents were also involved in our education.

[LolaSonner]

Not sure where all the talk of parental involvement came from as these kids have been homeschooled so you don't get more involved in education than that. What I want to know is what Larkspur has to offer. What are they bringing to the table?

[pobre]

Because we are answering your question. Your initial post referred to Larkspur supposedly discouraging parents.

Parental involvement is going to make your friends children's education better. Like I said, the education they'll receive is fine. It's the kids who don't have that support that often struggle more.