Cunningham Elementary School

2200 Berkeley Avenue

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
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 other on May 01, 2017

El personal es muy atento me gusta como impulsan a los niños a participar y sentirse líderes como trabajan con microsociedad. Estamos bendecidos con Cunningham una escuela pequeña pero con mucha atención donde aprendemos y nos conosemos todos
Submitted by other on December 29, 2016

Great MicroSociety model, builds up all kids!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2015

So far I am very pleased with the teachers. I am disappointed that the two times I have approached Ms. Lloyd to briefly discuss an issue with her regarding my child, she rushes me off. I can understand if she has a meeting to attend, but both times she walked off to hang out in the front. Remember that what may seem small to you is not to a parent. It is a big deal. Our children are the future, and for you to dismiss a concern from a parent is very disappointing. I want to change my rating to "great'. That great rating depends on compassion from all staff members, not just the teachers. Disappointed and feeling as though our family doesn't matter.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2015

I have two kids at Cunningham - one is in kindergarten and the other is in 2nd grade. Both kids love the school and feel appropriately challenged by their teachers and course work. Both kids have been identified as above grade level in multiple subjects and I have been impressed by the opportunities they have been given to stretch themselves. I feel the leadership and communication have been strong. We will not likely be able to continue at the school because of skyrocketing rents in the area which have pushed many families like ours out to areas surrounding Austin, which I'm sure has much to do with the decline in enrollment. Our family has been pleased with Cunningham.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

We moved from out of state last year and I admittedly had my doubts about our neighborhood school, Cunningham Elementary, based on the Great Schools rating. I did like that they offered dual-language, however, so I contacted the office and arranged for a tour. The Principal, Ms. Lloyd, gave us more than an hour of her time to show us around and answer our questions. Every staff member that we have had contact with has shown equal pride and dedication to the students and the school. I was still hesitant that the coursework would cater to the lowest students in the class, but they are broken up into groups so my son is challenged and given the opportunity to work at a higher level. I think the fact that it is an under-enrolled school makes class sizes more manageable for individual attention. It has also given him the opportunity to take a leadership role in his class to develop socially as well as academically. The art program is incredible, we just had a phenomenal musical, I love the community garden and as we wrap up the first half of our first full year at Cunningham, we are very happy to be part of the Cunningham community. It's a great little school and only getting better!
Submitted by other on February 04, 2014

I'm so sorry this parent feels negatively about our wonderful little school. I'm the proud principal and love our students, teachers and families! We have such great learning happening. Cunningham has 4 initiatives supporting academics - Green; SEL/Social Emotional Learning; Dual Language; and Creative. We're launching a new framework as the FIRST MicroSociety school in Austin! Visited, tweeted & Facebook posted by State Rep Donna Howard. While there is always room for improvement, we're strong. Yes, we did lose some very good teachers - one is an AP, one a Tchr Mentor, one an SEL Coach, all in AISD. So, we grow teachers well at Cunningham! A current teacher is featured in a new book, American Teacher Heroes in the Classroom. And, yup, we're Green to the core, winning COA awards! We're an Ashoka Changemaker School, one of two schools in TX and just received our display banner. Learning is more than test scores. Many schools shrink in numbers, including ours. Families across Austin choose schools for various reasons. I hope that all families find the best school for their kids. We'll continue to build on our strengths. And, I'll continue to better my communication. Go Cobras!
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

I am wondering as a parent what schools are these children coming from, to say we have leadership from our principal? There is a HUGE lack of communication from Mrs. Lloyd. If you look over the last 2 school years, (18 months) Cunningham has lost at least 15 teachers (meaning teachers CHOOSING to leave Cunningham), and over the last 3 years we have lost over 180 students. This is public information, look it up yourself and see the numbers. Green shcool? Yes, but, what happen to educating our children academically before we teach them how to grow a carrot? Shame on A.I.S.D. for not looking at our numbers, and seeing teachers and students dropping like flies, or is it because we just had a facelift ( in 2010) and can't afford to close our school due to the money taxpayers just put into it. Shame on me as well, as a parent for still allowing my child to still be involved with a failing school, that cares more about becoming "GREEN" and not preforming well with academics. I ask you to look at public records to see these numbers yourself.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2014

Cunningham Elementary is on a quiet street called Berkeley Ave. With an active Principal, Counselor and some really great teachers I'm very happy with academics over all and the many programs there. The 5th Grade Ted Talks were a big hit with students and parents! S.E.L, PEAS FARM, FITTEST FAMILY CONTEST and many upcoming exciting projects like large Art Murals, Rain Gardens through out our campus are up and coming on our School grounds. The Office of Sustainability has given us 2 grants for being the brightest green school. Our Micro-Society After School Program will soon be added to our school curriculum which will give children the opportunity to learn their academics in a "real world" setting with banks, businesses, government and more! It is hard to believe how many people do not even know our school exists. I'm so glad our children are students there!
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2014

This school is great! Excellent leadership from the principal, good teachers, my son has been thriving.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

There are many great teachers at this school! They have been growing their environmental programs for years now. The community farm on campus is an awesome resource for the classes and the entire community. The outdoor classroom is a certified wildlife habitat.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2013

I recently moved to the neighborhood and found a wonderful school tucked away in South Austin. There are lots of great teachers willing to go the extra mile for the students. I was surprised by all of the community events: Art Night, Family Movie Night, PEAS Farm, MicroSociety, College Night, Literacy Night, Fall Carnival, Math Night, and Bicycle Rodeo just to name a few. I have noticed that people tend to have a view of the school that's stuck in the 1980's and are missing all of the exciting opportunities this school has to offer. Great schools are developed through community support and this school is doing a great job reaching out.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2013

Campus is always covered in trash. The one time it wasn't was when they had the kids take a morning off from their work to clean it. I am very disappointed in many aspects of this school, but that is because my child got a bad teacher there. There are definitely good teachers at Cunnningham, but you will never get an honest representation of the school from the princial or administrative staff. They try to create programs to make the school appear successful (P.E.A.S., Microsociety, et al) but the academics are mediocre and geared for low-functioning kids. I would highly recommmend getting on the wait-list now for the charter school across the street, Edan Park Academy.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2013

Cunningham is a fantastic school with bright, dedicated teachers and a wonderful principal. The special programs (art, music, PEAS farm, gifted program, PTA, etc) are excellent. I was worried about my daughter being ignored because she's very bright, but she is constantly challenged without leaving other kids behind. Each child is given the attention she needs and the teachers are there to help at every turn. We feel very lucky to be in the Cunningham district and look forward to our future here.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2011

Our daughter has attended Cunningham for 1st and 2nd grade and we are looking forward to 3rd grade. The teachers and staff are dedicated to the students. When our daughter began 1st grade she was behind in her reading level. With the help of her teacher and the reading specialist, she ended the year above level in reading.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2011

Cunningham may be a school that works well for most children, but it is not one that challenges children who may be a little ahead of the learning curve. The teachers are not trained tore recognize or are not willing to accept that children may be more gifted than they are used to seeing. As a school that teaches to the masses, they do a wonderful job. For the outlyers, they fail miserably. I am concerned about the length of time that the teachers have been there. We brought up some legitimate concerns regarding behavor issues, and bullying, and my child was told by his teacher that he was imagining it. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant, as children should feel safe when bringing up issues with thier teachers. I am very unhappy with the way parental concerns are handled at a parent teacher level. I am waiting to hear back from the principal regarding this to see how this is handled.