Brentwood Elementary School

Posted: August 14, 2025

I wish I had started my daughter at Highland Park. Brentwood is a mega school with and principal that is out of touch with the school and does not engage with parents or students. There is not a strong sense of community and the administration is quite rude. Especially the front office workers, with the exception of Neff. The other two basically scowl at you.

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: August 14, 2025

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2022

This is a wonderful community-oriented school. My child has a ton of friends, and he is learning at a high level. The principal is fantastic and truly cares about making this a special place.

Posted: November 19, 2019

Best school ever. The teachers are excellent, well trained, cheerful, gentle.

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: November 19, 2019

Posted: July 5, 2018

My child was never taught here, she would end up in a 2nd grade class everyday and the only reason I discovered this was because my child came home with mutiple ant bites on her legs and when I asked her about them she told me she got them from a carpet she sits on in another class, the more questions I asked the more she told me, many teachers were aware of this, my child would be put on a carpet and left there all day. I brought it to the principals attention and she did nothing, I also found out that this kindergarten teacher had issues in the past; she slapped a 5th grader in her class and the principal “took action” by giving her a kindergarten class to teach and moved her out of teaching 5th grade. My child endured a lot and it was all negative. They are sneaky and smiled in my face plenty of times knowing how my daughter was being treated when I left. Do not trust any teacher at this school or the “concerned” principal, it’s all an act to keep quiet so it’s not taken to the superintendent.

Posted: July 5, 2018

My childs kindergarten teacher didn’t teach her, she would pass her off to sit in a 2nd grade class

Posted: July 5, 2018

Many teachers and the principal knew what was happening to my child and never notified me

Posted: July 5, 2018

My child’s happy and fun character was torn down while she attended here, her emotions were changing she was often sad and withdrawn

Posted: July 5, 2018

The principal did nothing to the kindergarten teacher once I discovered what was happening

Posted: July 5, 2018

My child was put in a 2nd grade classs and never taught the skills to manage the new environment, the schedule, the structure, or given patience to adjust to school as a 5 year old

Posted: July 5, 2018

The teacher was the biggest bully my child had

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Posted: August 4, 2017

Great teachers and administrators. I love the consistency of the culture across the campus.

Posted: March 25, 2017

The kinder homework is too not age appropriate and causing more stress than learning. The projects are so close together they often overlap, the children and I suspect the parents as well feel burnt out.

Posted: March 25, 2017

Posted: March 25, 2017

This is my 4th kindergarten teacher I've dealt with as a parent and by far the worst. The kindergarten teacher continues to assign the students projects that are grossly above kinder level. It's really homework for the parents, my son cries because the homework is too demanding and I also feel a huge wave of anxiety over each project. The kinder students are expected to essentially write reports over various subjects throughout the year and it's just too much. Also, the reader books assigned are not kinder level. These poor kids are memorizing the books instead of learning phonics so I bought a set of "BOB books" (actual kinder level) and have been going over these with my child instead of the printout books. I have another child who is in a higher grade and he doesn't even have homework as demanding as my kinder child. This is ridiculous.

Posted: January 2, 2017

Both of our kids have had excellent teachers each year at Brentwood. The new principal works very hard and takes parents' concerns seriously. I love the community feel of the school.

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Posted: December 13, 2016

Brentwood is an amazing school. The new principal has really begun to turn things around and you can tell she cares about the school and her teachers. My first grader was struggling at the beginning of the year and is now thriving because of her teacher! I love that they don't "teach to the test" and instead, foster the social and emotional learning of each child. For those that made such negative remarks, maybe Brentwood just wasn't the fit for you.

Posted: May 23, 2016

I agree 100% with the poster who commented on Dec. 8 '15. My experience: After a year of K at Brentwood, SON tested below grade level in reading entering First, didn't even remotely meet the TEKS. He had regressed based on his Pre-k assessments. Hoping for a bump over the summer. They expect the parent to teach the child everything and for the Kindergarten child to be reading at the level of a mid-year first grader. Homework every night. Staff promises help for struggling students and brags about the resources they have but they never deliver. They just talk about what they are going to do and never do it. I have suspected what the poster on May 3. '16 said is true but I have no proof to back it up, just a feeling I get when I talk to teachers and other parents. If you want proof that this school is in decline look at the Children At Risk website over several years and decide for yourself. My advice is if you want your child to succeed then stay out of Brentwood. Go to Gullett for great teachers and staff. If you can't go there then find anywhere else. Brentwood does NOT rock!

Posted: May 23, 2016

They will help the kids that are easy to teach so that they excel in the classroom and get high marks on the STARR test. Struggling children are not helped and are mistreated in the classroom.

Posted: May 23, 2016

For kindergarten kids 20 minutes of homework is assigned every night plus 20 minutes of reading. That is a formula for burnout by 3rd grade. This school is a mess because of their history of low ratings by organizations who track such things. Look it up. Children At Risk Austin Elementary Schools.

Posted: May 23, 2016

Posted: May 2, 2016

Posted: May 2, 2016

Posted: May 2, 2016

The school used to support the TRIBES program. I don't think the school climate is that same with the new principal.

Posted: May 2, 2016

The new principal lost a busload of good teachers because she is inexperienced and just plain not smart enough to be a principal. Harsh. True. The teachers that stayed are mostly the young or unhappy ones. Now she is hiring more inexperienced teachers. The community feel is there because of the PTA, but not because of the principal. Sorry to be harsh, but now you have the inside scoop and isn't that what reviews are for?

Posted: December 8, 2015

After a year of K at Brentwood, mystepson tested below grade level in reading entering First, didn't even remotely meet the TEKS. He had regressed based on his Pre-k assessments. 6 months in a new school and he was on track and was ahead by the end of 1st. Kindergarten was more like day-care, not learning based.

Posted: May 12, 2015

Although I am new to the school due to the fact that the afterschool program moves me around from different schools, I found that Brentwood is by far one of the few best schools where students showed interest in not only learning but also in teachers. When i first worked with the students there, I notice first that they showed their knowledge of manners and values that I found no other schools display. They show that friendship and collaboration is important for them, which is one of the most important part of learning when they grew older. Furthermore, they are willing to work things out with the teacher on projects that not only promotes their communication skills but also be able to be creative in ways that I don't always find in other schools. The only problem is the environment and looks of the school (which is a pretty old building) makes it draining in energy for me and for the children. If they work on that, then the school becomes a better place to learn. Keep up that value and spirit even if the academic performance of the school is not high compared to other schools.

Posted: August 13, 2014

Brentwood has been incredible for both of my boys. My older son, going into 4th grade, has had the most fantastic teachers every single year. He is challenged by Aspbergers, but has had love and support in the regular ed classroom and with his "support system" in speech and social skills therapies. My younger son, going into 2nd grade, has also had amazing teachers the past 3 years. It is truly a community school, with great parent participation, loving staff, and highly skilled, dedicated teachers. Cannot say enough good things.

Posted: June 5, 2014

Brentwood is AMAZING! We have no complaints whatsoever. Our son is in the special ed program for speech and social skills, and the teachers and programs at Brentwood have been amazing. It is also such a wonderful environment: positive, environmentally conscience, fun-- we love it! There are also gardens tended by different classes all around the school.

Posted: February 13, 2014

I have one in kinder here. The teachers have always been extremely respectful and helpful. My first encounter with the lunch lady wasn't great but I get it... You don't like what you're doing. I do not agree with one of the other reviews. I feel my child should have a fun transition into 'big kid' school. My child is 6 and reads to the class when they have time. Prefers chapter books to anything else. We have nightly homework and she shows an ability to figure out real world math problems. The school is doing something right. Kindergarten isn't the time to begin studying for your SATs. Brentwood elementary is fantastic!

Posted: January 12, 2014

Because we are a blended family, we have a child in Leander ISD, and one at Brentwood, only 1 year apart. The academics at Brentwood are WAY behind. Kindergarten is more like a daycare. The rooms are full of toys, playsets, etc.. I would image the parents giving good reviews for academics here have no idea what it's like at a good school. The kindergarteners in Leander ISD are writing stories, reading, doing real math problems, while our son at Brentwood is still working on writing his numbers 1-20. He doesn't read - AT ALL, has not been taught any phonics, no math skills. They're not learning handwriting, etc... Oh, but at Christmas, the kids did a lot of gift wrapping! I guess this was a fine motor skill activity, but that's pre-school. In Leander, they do that type of stuff, but it's tied to a lesson, like patterns, etc.. And safety - no way! They utilize the public park next door for a play area. There are 27 registered sex offenders within one mile of this school and they have the kids playing in a public park that's not fenced in. We've had notices this year for both Pertussis and Bed Bugs.

Posted: November 18, 2013

We love this school. My oldest son spent six years here, and my youngest in in second grade. The single best thing about this school is the teachers. They care. A LOT. It's a warm, welcoming, diverse, artsy school where kids can figure out who they are in a safe environment. Other things I love about this school: * Academics are solid. Math, reading and writing are emphasized at an early age. Students who are struggling receive extra support. Students who are excelling are given greater challenges. * Tribe system. Instead of desks, classrooms have tables. Students work on group projects, as well as individual assignments. Students are encouraged to learn from and teach each other. * Inclusion: The school has several special education departments where the students receive support. But most of the time, students with special needs work with their peers. This helps all the students appreciate the values of compassion and understanding. * The neighborhood. Everyone gets along! When we disagree we act like adults and fix problems together. Love love love this school.

Posted: October 7, 2013

Brentwood is a great neighborhood school with excellent parental involvement and diversity. The teachers are all very engaged and act as advocates for the kiddos. I applaud them for trying so hard in the face of Texas school defunding. In first grade my son's teacher helped ID a learning disability and started the documentation process, in second grade my son's teacher was a great advocate for him and helped move him along the onerous process of getting him the support he needs, and now his third grade teacher is focused on helping him reach goals that will help him succeed. I love that! My one complaint is that it's so hard to get the school (and district) to invest in children with LD. I know it's related to money, so I can't entirely blame my school's administration, which has also been supportive within the restrictions imposed by the district and ultimately the state's defunding of public education. So a big fat THANKS to Brentwood Elementary for caring about my son's education.

Posted: October 7, 2013

Great neighborhood school. We relocated here last year and everyone has made our daughter and us feel very welcome. Her 1st grade and now 2nd grade teacher has been great at challenging the kids and keeping learning fun and relevant.

Posted: October 7, 2013

Brentwood is amazing. The teachers are great. The parents are great and the community is everything I have been looking for. I love volunteering in my kiddos classes.The school is growing and we are getting more amazing creative teachers. The only negative is the limited lunch. I think we should be able to eat lunch with our kids every day not just Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Posted: October 3, 2013

Brentwood is a great neighborhood school. Caring teachers and involved parents! Kids get the attention they need.

Posted: September 3, 2013

I love this school, and so does my son. I've been very happy with the quality of both of his teachers, and love the small community feel of the school.

Posted: August 5, 2013

Academics: Much less workload than our previous elementary school, but still enough to challenge. Do not think the homework load was enough to ensure conceptual mastery. Staff: Front office staff were mostly rude to parents and did not have very hospitable interactions. Door entry personnel were very kind and made it a pleasure to drop kids off. Also appreciated the curb side service at the rear of the school each morning. Security: Despite always having the doors locked at the appropriate hours with a doorbell for entry, I thought it was rather too easy to just enter, pass the front office, and go to any destination you wished. Teachers: Very pleasant, always open to interact after hours with parents over concerns, or just to provide feedback. Facilities: Outdated, cramped and in need of expansion and repair. Community: Brentwood is nestled within the Brentwood area of Austin. Some of the parents in my children's classes were extremely friendly and interacted well with the other parents. Others, not so much. I saw two drug addicts stumbling just three blocks from the school on day one, not the most re-assuring sight with my kids just three blocks away.

Posted: May 31, 2013

I placed my child in Brentwood because a friend recommended it. My son is dyslexic and falls under the 504 Program which requires an annual meeting regarding his progress. The counselor forgot entirely about the meeting and I had to go to the principal to have one set. I notice that the teachers are really great but the administrative and office staff have a real anti-social attitude. I think they are great with their buddies and neighbors but the rest of us tax payers are a real bother. In the end, Brentwood is better than some AISD schools but I would not choose this school if you have other options. We came from a far superior program at Barton Hills Elementary in Austin so maybe it is just that I know how good schools operate.

Posted: September 21, 2010

Brentwood Elementary has been a great experience for my two kids. The teachers have all been good to excellent. The older child achieved excellent TAKS scores while at Brentwood. He is now getting great grades in his pre-AP classes in middle school. My younger child is also on track to do very well on the TAKS test. More importantly, both love to learn. They particularly love the innovative art program. The award-winning green initiatives at the school are integrated into the curriculum and include composting and organic gardening. The parent involvement is outstanding. When my oldest was about to start kindergarten, we visited other schools and considered sending him outside the neighborhood or to a private school. I'm so glad we decided to keep our kids at Brentwood. It s a wonderful, supportive community.

Posted: April 24, 2010

It's a great neighborhood school, that's well integrated in the community and participates in many great events. Their organic garden is also something special.

Posted: December 18, 2008

Posted: June 3, 2008

Posted: February 6, 2007