Blazier Elementary School

8601 Vertex Boulevard

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 April 16, 2024

I have two children at the school. My older child has received all his special education services and his team has communicated well with me and my husband both. He has blossomed at this school and I appreciate the care everyone takes to make him feel confident and included. My younger child consistently tell me year after year how much he loves his teachers and classmates. The school is large but warm, welcoming, and supportive. It is rigorous but still fun. Overall I am well aware of how public school funding in Texas has drastically declined and I must acknowledge I can see that in class sizes among other things but I don’t find it unique to Blazier and have been grateful to the stability of the school in our time here. There are some truly excellent teachers at this school and the children are friendly and diverse. I appreciate that the students aren’t focused on name brands or status symbols but rather more internal characteristics like inclusivity, kindness, etc which I believe to be a reflection of both the school and the families.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2024

Principal is awful. Classes are too big, and teachers are overwhelmed it seems. It's a mess.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2023

It’s an ok school if your child does not have a disability. If your child has a disability they will ignore the IEP and not provide the services needed for your child . They will retaliate every time you disagree with the administration or teacher. It’s wasn’t a safe place for my kid. He came home crying almost every day!
Submitted by other on June 09, 2023

Not one bit impressed with the bilingual program. The teacher routinely sent communication solely in Spanish. And, even though I reminded both her and the assistant principal that I don't speak Spanish fluently, she continued to do that. It felt to me as if dads don't matter and the administration didn't want to step in when they needed to. There's also the structure of the program as well. Apparently, they teach primarily and almost solely in Spanish in the first few years. This leads to the students not being as proficient in English and actually falling behind the other students in the school. My daughter has routinely reminded me "yes, I can read...but only in Spanish not English." By the end of first grade, how do you think I feel as a parent when my daughter is telling me the teacher failed to teach and reinforce basic skills in the language spoken throughout the majority of this country?And, this just may be an AISD policy, but I didn't like the fact that they limited the amount of field trips you can join your kids on. I was "allowed" to go on one. Apparently each parent gets only one chance per school year to go. And being divorced, that seems unfair because only one of us will get that chance. Plus, these are public places where you have to pay your own admission so I don't understand why it's limited at all. There is absolutely no burden to the city/school to allow as many people as can attend. In fact, it's even better because everyone may end up just watching their own kid while the teachers get to relax.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2023

My Lo is about to finish first grade and she loves the school the staff has always been very nice the dual language program is amazing my daughter improved her Spanish and now can read it and write it! Overall great place I think it could be a little more secure but other than that is great the principal is super involved and they always try to help parents with different workshops
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2022

The administration at this school is horrible. The principal terrified my child bursting into their class and yelling on multiple occasions. No organization and the teachers don’t seem to care about the kids, all their work comes directly from the standardized test released workbooks. Definition of teaching to the test which is ridiculous. More concerned with ego than with education.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2019

So far my child had been super happy with this school. I have not had problems and the principal is very involved.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2018

I really like Blazier. The teachers are involved and make sure your student is able to meet the grade level requirements. The principal is amazing as she keeps great communication with her students, teachers and parents.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2017

I really like Blazier. Our 1st grader is gifted, has severe ADHD and is on the autism spectrum. AISD has been great in working with the school to address her needs. Of course I've also had to be in constant communication with the school and followed the processes for a district assessment so she can be placed in special services. It's a high performing majority minority school that's much needed in Austin. Our daughter is mixed race so I'm glad she gets to be around peers that look like her.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2016

My boys have went to this school for 4 years and it has improved with each year. The teachers are involved and make sure your student is able to meet the grade level requirements through small groups, tutoring and other help. The school has been adding on extracurricular activities and is growing more each year!
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2016

We've been going to this school for the past three years and have had great experiences throughout. Both of my children are in the Dual language program. The PTA does a great job putting together "donuts for dads", muffins for moms", school carnivals, movie nights and dances. My son's teachers have all been great at recognizing his strengths and really worked to keep him challenged. All of the teachers we've had so far have done a great job keeping us in the loop regarding performance, they've all been incredibly accessible and open to any questions we may have had. They have also provided us with multiple opportunities to participate in class activities with our children. Shout out to Mrs. Tyson, Mrs. Reiser and Mrs Valdez-Gaynor! We feel so lucky to have had you teach our children!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2014

I can only speak on behalf of Ms. Carnine and Ms. Hollander. This was our first year in the school with my son Michael. The level of professionalism-self awareness of student achievement was EXCELLENT. I have 3 other children and only wish that would have teachers with such compassion and driven motivation to ensure every child succeeds. These 2 teachers go way beyond normal duties to meet and exceed parent expectations.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2013

I unfortunately fell into the "New School (must be good)" trap. We unfortunately suffered some of the same things I have been reading. The teachers were not very kind to communication with me or some other parents I know. We definitely noticed preference given to those who are Hispanic. After visiting the TEA web site, I see that the school is 77% and 10% white which makes sense why we are treated so badly. I am so glad we moved into a better school district. MY daughter is treated much better, and her skills are progressing much quicker.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2012

Blazier is a great school! The principal is amazing as she keeps great communication with her students, teachers and parents. The teachers I have had the pleasure of working with have been pleasant and attentive to the children. My son is going into the 3rd grade and loves his school. I think parent involvement is evolving rapidly. They offer many evenings that parents can participate with their children in fun and learning. I have been very pleased with Blazier Elementary.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2012

My son is in the 5th grade at Blazier and he has been here since they first opened. The school is amazing. The teachers are so inspiring and really care about the kids. The kids at Blazier are well mannered and everyone seems to know everyone else. I cannot say enough great things about the choir teacher. She is exceptional!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2011

My family also had a terrible experience at this school. My daughter attended for only half a year, and we broke our lease to move. Her teacher was not sending home handouts or homework. After meeting with her and the vice principal, we started to see some improvement but still were getting homework maybe once a week. My daughter's performance was actually digressing. There was kissing on the playground that was dismissed as CUTE! I truly am outraged by the experience. We were so proud to be sending our daughter to a "Texas" school yet we were more disappointed than any other school she ever attended. Where is the regulation ? And, yes, the school caters to the hispanic population. I was treated rudely by the staff which is mostly hispanic. I am all for diversity but there is not much at this school. It caters to low income families which is also the root of many of the problems. Once we moved to another school district, our experience has been like night and day. I am still in shock by the standards of my daughter's new school. Parents don't lower your expectations or let anyone tell you that you are over reacting...there are good schools out there!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2011

My son went to this school for one LONG year, and we were very disapointed! I think I still have a headache from the experience! I have to admit that my son had a very good teacher, but she was the only one that greeted you with a smile, everyone else was very rude, and don't even think about going to the principal with a concern because she couldn't care less! Her lack of people skills is evident! First I was ignored, then I was told I was over reacting and finally one day she just told me that if I didn't like the school to move my child to a diferent school! Which is exactly what I did!