Bailey Middle School

4020 Lost Oasis Hollow

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Austin Independent School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 21, 2024

Love what is happening at our kids school
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2024

The new principal, Mr. Lancaster, is a great asset to this school. There are many fun extra curricular activities for the students! Fantastic band, orchestra, sports teams and accelerated programs, NJHS, GT, and a wonderful theatre program.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2024

Nothing but great memories with my two in Bailey Band and Bailey Bear football.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2024

Bailey is a fantastic middle school. My children both had very positive experiences.,They hold special family events like the annual Bonfire. The theater teacher is especially wonderful.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2024

My daughters are at Bailey. The school has changed drastically in the last few years and I couldn’t be happier. The teachers are responsive and helpful. They go above and beyond for these kids. Mr Lancaster is always smiling when i see him in the mornings at drop off. Middle schools always have their challenges, but I trust in BMS with my kiddos.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2024

My son has attended for 3 years. All of my interactions with teachers and staff have been excellent. Mr. Lancaster, the new principal, is engaging, well-respected and kind. My son has had a few mild behavior issues around which any involved teachers communicated well and respectfully with my husband and me. BAND -- high caliber, bar-raising quality music education; the best in AISD middles. The new Choir director is another engaging and respectful teacher, creating an inclusive space for creativity.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2024

I hesitated to enroll my now 7th grader in public middle school. She was struggling with various issues, and I was afraid she would be "just a number." She started 6th grade at a local private school and transferred to Bailey midway through 6th grade when the private school shared their feeling that they did not have the resources to accommodate her. Bailey was incredibly welcoming, and the counselors, administrators, teachers, and staff met my child where she was. They care deeply about the students and making the environment safe for all of them. I wish my daughter had started middle school here, but at least I can be glad she made her way there.
Submitted by other on November 19, 2024

Wow. New choral director is changing and growing the choirs. Of course the band department is fantastic- such professionalism to mentor such talent
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2024

Since Mr. Lancaster took over as principal last year (23 / 24 school year) we've seen consistent improvement in academics and overall school pride. Teachers are more than willing to work with students who need a little extra help and provide opportunities for tutoring and additional support. Our son participates in band and choir and while the band program is well established our choir program is under new leadership with Coach Williams. They've done a great job getting the choir program back on track since spring of '24.Bailey has gotten a bad rap in the past, but with new leadership in place we are proud to send our kids to our local neighborhood middle school.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2024

Bailey is the ONLY Austin school competing in The Native Plant Society of Texas' science experiment contest. Students learn how to conduct a soil test and classify their soil and experiment to determine the best way to propagate different deep rooted Texas natives. If you were trying to get your kids into Small's Green Tech Program but were denied consider transferring to Bailey. They have a greenhouse, chicken coop, tree farm, egg incubater and visit the LBJ Wildflower Center every semester.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2022

Wonderful school! Very thankful that my son goes there.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2020

I felt the need to review Bailey since the 2 most recent comments do not in my opinion accurately reflect the quality of education and support at Bailey. While I do not know what the atmosphere for staff on the inside is like I know that teachers in general are held more and more to the idea that they are responsible for raising their students. This is a national problem and as an educator myself (HS teacher in another district) I very much understand this problem, but it is not singularly a problem at BMS. Students at Bailey regularly do well on the STAAR exam and even out preform other Middle School students in AISD and the state which I think BMS is not given enough credit for. Additionally the turnover rate at Bailey is low which is generally a good sign that teachers and staff feel generally supported by administration. Students metal health is a national problem and not restricted to Bailey MS. I think in light of this unprecedented time that a new light has been shone on our children and how overwhelming our current education system is on our children. I am hopeful that things will take a turn to the positive in focusing on the whole child.As for favoritism, I know that teachers do their best to treat every child equally, but it is a natural occurrence. Even adults in the work place will have people they get along with better than others, and while students should be given fair and equal treatment you cant stop teachers from sometimes connecting with some students better than others. Lastly to the parent who is upset by ISS. Schools have limited ways to give consequences and as a student moves up in age those consequences also have to adjust. Where in elementary school a child might lose time at recess, at the Middle school and High school level about all they have within their power is ISS and OSS. If the rules are no holding hands (which was a rule in MS when I was a MS student back in 2000) then your child should follow the rule. If it is a continual issue then a parent should go directly to the school administration to see what they and the school can do to help the student be more successful.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2019

There needs to be a lot of focus on this schools Faculty and Staff. So many great kids here. Way to many kids are feeling down on themselves from the way the school is handling situations that are above and beyond extreme we really need to focus on our these kids as if they are your own. Show leadership positively not scornfully! Show respect by respecting them and calling there own parents to scold them not you as a faculty and staff. Just because other kids might be on the wrong path doesn’t mean everyone else is a Target! This isn’t a Jail it’s middle school. I’m seeing these kids fall left and right from they’re confidence and it’s so sad and not right. It needs to be fixed sooner than later. Lastly the favoritism between some teachers and students is way off and needs to come to a halt immediately. No child should ever feel they don’t matter over another student! Stay positive as a Whole always!!
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2018

Poor. The use and abuse of ISS is ridiculous, You get ISS and a referral for ANYTHING! It used to be reserved for the really bad kids and really bad offenses... now anyone and everyone gets it. For example - if you HOLD the hand of a boy or girl - YOU GET ISS! Ridiculous.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2017

I've only ever had positive experiences when dealing with staff at Bailey Middle School. They have strong leadership, great programs and the student community is engaged and challenged.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2016

Why do I feel like this school deserves a 5 star?Here's a story: I am sitting in my living room playing my guitar when my son, from across the room and staring into his phone, comments that the G string is a bit sharp. He developed that ear from the bailey band program. Oh... they always score past the star on the big test. If you have seen that test report you know will know what I mean.I attended an eighth grade graduation ceremony last year and was very impressed with the cohesiveness of the student body. All the students who won awards received loud cheers....all of them. It was nice.I volunteer very often and an on campus more that 10 times a month. I have never seen any ugly behavior between the students. Here is another interesting fact, The new Choir teacher was a Bailey student herself 10 years ago. She came back to develop the program. Send your student here with confidence.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2016

The basketball coaches have really helped my son progress. He loves being on the team.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2016

John Rocha, the new principal, has been in place for two years now and he's been great. He is turning everything back into the positive, and working diligently with the teachers and staff to continue competitive education at Bailey. I would encourage all parents to truly look at Bailey because it does offer the same competitive classes that magnet schools offer. My son is doing the same upper level algebra at Bailey that they are doing at other schools, and this is just one example of the classes he's taking. Did you know that Bailey has a robotics class? Did you know that they are working towards even more tech classes for the students? Be sure to check out all of the classes offered at Bailey because there are many, and they are working on more to come!The teachers at Bailey are wonderful, hard-working, and truly are teaching our students. My son has learned a lot from them, and my daughter will be there soon.Bailey also offers fun community events that no other school offers! This past October we had a pep rally with a bonfire. The kids, staff, and community as a whole loved the event and are looking forward to more in the future.We have strong athletics, drama, orchestra, band and so much more!Bailey is also situated in a "country-like" setting and is across the street from a natural cave. There is only one main road by by the school which is a huge bonus to me since it allows the students to be in a more secure environment without traffic racing from all directions. The beauty is that you can drop your kids off and see a herd of deer along the way. Bailey has a hard-working PTA that is actively involved with bettering the school. Did you know Bailey has a beautification program through the PTA that is working hard to ensure our campus looks great? The beautification chair has also worked with local scouts to add aesthetically pleasing items such as a gazebo. This is one of the many programs the PTA provides. I highly encourage you to check out your local school, Bailey, before venturing to other ones outside of your area. Bailey has a lot to offer and is right at your backdoor.
Submitted by other on November 16, 2015

Amazing school! The new principal has really turned things around. I was disappointed when my child did not want to go to one of the magnet schools because she wanted to be with her friends. However she is being very challenged in her advanced math and pre-ap classes. Socially it has been the best of both worlds for her because not only does she have all of her great friends from elementary, but she has also made so many new friends. The drama teacher is a bright spot at the school, just an amazing teacher. They also have a new dance teacher who used to run Bowie's Silver Stars, and my daughter loves taking dance with all of her friends instead of normal PE. Bailey has strong parent participation now and is a true community. Amazing that a new principal can make such a huge difference!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2015

This is an excellent middle school made only better by a new principal. We have perhaps the best middle school band, an excellent football team, a progressive environmental science program and some top notch skateboarders. I could send send my kids to private school and they could easily qualify for the magnet programs. We also own a house in Circle C and could attend Gorzycki. We believe Bailey to be the best choice and my students like it.