Alex W Spence Talented/Gifted Academy

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

Posted: May 9, 2019

My child, who scored in the top 1% on the STAAR test, was excited about going to Spence. The TAG Coordinator portrayed it as such an amazing school, but the reality was much different. The school-within-a-school idea is terrible. It’s supposedly the best of both worlds for participating in extracurriculars, but the reality is that DISD didn’t want to build a new TAG academy, so they tried to combine it with a failing community school. The TAG students wear different uniforms than the community students, making them easy targets for bullies who resent them being there in the first place. The biggest problem we experienced was how the school treats students with disabilities. Usually, 504/ILP meetings are conducted at the start of every school year, so teachers know what the accommodations are & can follow them. Spence didn’t conduct a 504 meeting until I insisted & none of the teachers were aware of any accommodations until I gave them a list. But it didn’t matter since they refused to follow them anyway. We witnessed this same treatment given to other students with disabilities. I got the impression the TAG teachers felt disabled students were a waste of time. When I requested meetings with the faculty, it just made things worse. Teachers failed to show up for parent/teacher conferences & the few who did attend only did so to repeatedly tell me how all the problems had nothing to do with them or the school. When I wouldn’t stop trying to get help, the school began saying my child was a “discipline problem.” Previously, the only issue my child had ever had was talking too much in class. But Spence accusations ranged from insubordination to fighting. This is a common ploy to keep 504 numbers down & probably why Spence has such a high suspension rate. The one saving grace was the school’s counselor. She was caring person who let my child hide in her office when the situation became too overwhelming. On the day I withdrew my child from Spence, she told me how glad she was not to have to watch Spence destroy another sensitive kid. So, if your child is gifted, has no disabilities, can tolerate bullying & doesn’t require any help from the faculty or staff, Spence might be a good fit. If not, avoid this school & save yourself the heartache.

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

Posted: November 17, 2017

I am a parent of a 6th grade TAG student. I had high hopes for this school, but am realizing many issues. They have no text books so when my student comes home to do homework, there is nothing to reference which makes it difficult to help when help is needed. Parents are 100% relying on the parent portal to keep tabs on grades and progress and little to no communication comes home form the school or teachers. It's difficult to get information from anyone. The first parent conference I had I almost left in tears because the teachers were accusatory in their tone towards me regarding my student's school habits and took offense when I asked questions regarding their teaching habits. There also seems to be animosity between the TAG kids and the community kids which causes a lot of problems. From the stories I am told, the community kids resent the TAG kids and single them out antagonistically in some cases. Two incidents directed at my student specifically have me considering looking at other schools for next year. I'm not really feeling like the TAG program here is what it's hyped to be. My student could do just as well in the GT program at Franklin Middle School.

Posted: January 18, 2015

I love this school it has helped me to be ready for high school and help manage my time with the extra curricular activities this is my last year in spence and I will miss all my teachers and the staff for all their hard work and support

Posted: June 2, 2014

One of the best schools in the Dallas area. The teachers are dedicated and really love working with the students. Unlike some of the magnet schools in Dallas, it is part of a neighborhood middle school so the students have access to all the sports, music, and clubs that a traditional school has to offer. My son was academically challenged and loved going to school. I had ample opportunity to get involved in things going on at school. They went on 5 field trips each year, there is a parent organization that supports the TAG program and regular PTA. We had a great experience!

Posted: March 20, 2014

I recommend not attending this school it is a really big disaster. especially the community kids. this year there has been a new principal. she is a big disaster. she not helpful and does not even care. example this year my daughter in 7th grade did not learn nothing in school. why? because they fired my daugthers teachers. for no reason !!. school has plenty of innapproariate language and plenty of gangs. I beg you to not atten alex w spence is a disaster I still don't undertand why the school is not close !!! big mess.

Posted: June 16, 2013

My still attending alex w. spence this will be my second year attendingmin the tag program i will be a 7th grader. I love the school the teachers are great and the only problem i have is that the two schools are mixed together and the cummunity kids are bad and annoying.

Posted: March 15, 2013

I am currently attending Townview TAG, and I attended all three years of my middle school at Spence. Spence was the best school I ever went to, and this rating is way too low to actually show the potential and greatness of the school. I attended the TAG section, and I learned a lot. It was a fun and educational experience that I wouldn't give up for anything, and our score, in the TAG section, are much higher than shown on this website.

Posted: November 28, 2012

I am currently a sophomore at Woodrow wilson attending the IB academy there. I went through all three years of middle school at Spence in TAG. Above all Spence taught me the world isn't just black and white, being mixed with the community school at first was rough and I will admit it was Never easy but i know it made me a better person. Aside from that I found my passion for the military here and I realized that when i apply myself i really am incredibly smart. All of the happened because of the great teachers that stood as role models and mentors for me and I am ever grateful.

Posted: April 28, 2012

Spence TAG program isn't recognized or as acknowledged as Travis because they mix the TAG and community grades and scores together. So its as if we arent getting the appreciation we deserve. Spence TAG Rox!!!!!

Posted: August 22, 2011

The TAG Academy is absolutely amazing. The teachers all like to have fun and actually care about whether you pass or fail. I've attended this school since sixth grade and now I'm an eighth grader. The reason they say this school sucks is because of the community school. They joined the community school and TAG academy into one, so our TAKS scores might seem horrible, but like I said above, the community school and TAG academy count as one. There are also many activities students can do there. If your child has good behavior and is hard working, I would recommend this school. I warn you that the community school makes us look bad.

Posted: December 1, 2010

i chose soence over travis because of the diversity even though we are mixed with the community school it brings a great balance that travis doesnt have. everyon is friendly and welcoming i know a girl who went to travis in 5th grade and she hated it she told mre how spence makes her alot happier. though it may seem that are grades arent as high its only because they average it with the community school but overall the tag academy is just as good and maybe even better than any other academy.