Baldwin Elementary School

12200 Meridian Park Boulevard

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
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 June 02, 2024

We found Baldwin to be very disappointing. The school culture is really toxic. The teachers are very nice, but I am almost positive that they are instructed by the administration to not communicate with the parents. Every time that I tried to talk to a teacher, they just refused to really tell me how my child was doing. One teacher even told my fourth grader’s class, “I don’t care if you don’t pay attention in math. Your parents can find out when your report cards come.” Report cards come every 9 weeks. There are no progress reports or communication to parents on how the kids are doing until those 9 weeks are up. That’s not a healthy learning environment. There are children that care about their grades, but my students didn’t have any interactions with kids that really wanted to learn. I believe my students learned something, but it was definitely not the focus of the students. The MAP scores in the fall never changed in the spring. Last, the students get to decide who gets in trouble at the school. Students tend to stick together if they live in the same neighborhood, but they tend to be ruthless to the newcomers.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2022

Great school, amazing parents and staff always goes the extra mile.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2022

Baldwin has done a great job navigating the pandemic and keeping social emotional support in the forefront, along with academics. My children love their school and so many of the teachers and support staff.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2021

My son transferred from another neighbor school when we moved into the neighborhood. It was an adjustment for us all. He has been there for 3 years and we have nothing but good things to say about the teachers and administration. My son loves going to school and has made friends. Overall great school!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2021

I have nothing but good things to say about the leadership, the teachers, and the way my children both learn at this school. The teachers are caring and go above and beyond to help their students. The leadership wants the best for all involved and are very transparent with parents. Great experiences since kindergarten.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2020

The leadership and staff are big pluses at Baldwin. As well, the younger kid especially loves their playground.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2018

It's a great school. The parents are very involved and the teachers really care about the students. Most of the teachers we gotten are wonderful. They have great technology, science and physical education programs. There is not a great pressure for the STAR test and they have a policy of less homework, because the principal considers that all the work should be done at school.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2016

This school, in a word, is underwhelming. I have noticed significant disorganization, poor communication with parents, limited community building activities for the children, and a discouragement of parent participation. I have made numerous attempts to be a part of the Baldwin community; offering time and energy for volunteer opportunities that have, for the most part, been ill-received. We were assigned to another school last year (we moved since then), where the communications were so abundant, I was almost OVERWHELMED, but in retrospect, when it comes to my child's education, I much prefer an excess of communication, rather than the opposite. I gave this school an "average" rating because my child seems to be learning the basics, and comes home happy after the day, but we are (hopefully) transferring next school year
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2016

My child came to this school in Kinder halfway through the year from a very esteemed private school in town. Even though we still had to pay for the rest of the year at her private school, we are SO HAPPY we made the switch. Sure our daughter was doing just fine in private school, but we felt she was not being challenged enough, and was getting a very limited view of the real world. Baldwin offers the perfect mix of academics, caring staff, and the arts. The commenter who gave it a bad review due to a mean lunch lady must have had a child who needed to be spoken to - and thank goodness for that! The rules are in place for good reason, and need to be enforced to keep our children safe. Baldwin is the best school in Austin, and we are so grateful.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

My daughter has attended kindergarten, and is now in first grade at Baldwin. Academically speaking, I think Baldwin is OK. I am happy enough with the education she has received so far, and happy with her teachers. I believe children will get an adequate education at this school, but don't look for anything innovative or creative in their approach. Sadly, innovation and creativity need to be nurtured privately, AFTER SCHOOL. I am unhappy with the lack of P.E. and recess time. These kids have a seven-hour school day and only one 20-minute recess. They have P.E. only every third day. This is absurd. It is common knowledge that this complete lack of exercise or movement is totally at odds with a productive learning environment, and only exacerbates the very real problem of childhood obesity. Everyone knows this, but seems content to ignore it. Don't even get me started on the cafeteria food....it is a disgrace. Be prepared to pack a lunch.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

Baldwin is a great school. We have been so happy with the teachers here. Could not be more pleased with this school. The PTA involvement is wonderful as well, a great neighborhood school.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2013

The school is great so far. This is our 3rd year. dr. pena is great and I feel she knows each kid by name. I feel like there shoudl be more programs like chess and DI programs for the kids to be more challenging.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2013

I have no other experience with public Austin schools but I think Baldwin is an extremely unorganized school. My daughter just finished kinder and I regard her classroom experience as chaotic and just covering the basics. I don't think her school really excels at anything and is a so-so educational experience. We are looking to move her to private school to offer her a richer educational experience.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2013

I normally go in the cafeteria, sit with my kid's class, watch them eating, and do some little helpings. As long as I don't EAT with my kid, I think sharing the table is OK.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2013

This is a great elementary school! My daughter is thriving after 3 years here. Very professional and friendly staff, from the crossing guards, to the principal, VP and office help, everyone is always welcoming, courteous and greets you with a smile. The principle even noticed when my daughter got glasses! Our current teacher is AH-MAAAY-ZING!!! My only negatives are that I wish parents could eat lunch with their children AND friends (to see how they interact, etc.) instead of by themselves at a separate table...we do that at home! Also, it seems like the same parents do all the volunteering....LOTS of other parents need to step it UP and get more involved in helping.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2013

Principal Dr. Pena is incredibly attentive and seems to know all studend by name. Parents are very involved and there seems to be no shortage of volunteers at any of the extra-circcucilar and academic programs. Don't know many of the teachers yet but Ms. Seitz (Kinder) has been great, and we hear great things about many other teachers in higher grades.