Harris Elementary School

1711 Wheless Lane

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 parent on January 28, 2021

Looking for a school with warm and welcoming atmosphere with energetic teachers? Register your child to Thomas G. Harris!Looking for a school where admins who take care of your child with warm heart? Register your child to Thomas G. Harris!Looking for a one-in-a-million great school that are hidden? Register your child to Thomas G. Harris!Want your child to have a memorable year with positive, passionate teacher? No doubt! Go to Thomas G. Harris!Wonder what Thomas G.Harris looks like? Best quality of education, great teachers, positive vibes on campus and excellent leadershipEveryone's welcome to Harris, there will be no regret once you become a Harris bulldog! Once a bulldog, always a bulldog!
Submitted by teacher on January 20, 2021

I joined the Harris family in 2019. I could not be more happy. My co-workers and Admin were warmly welcoming and continue to be so. I enjoy the fact that the school is small so we feel more close to the students and staff. I believe we all work together well. I was also so impressed with all the services that Harris offers to the students and their families, as well as the staff. Harris offers such a diverse culture and a great learning experience for any child. I highly recommend this school for any family.
Submitted by teacher on December 04, 2020

Harris elementary is like a second home for me. The staff have always been welcoming and come from such diverse backgrounds. The school has been through changes in the past couple years, but has really made the improvements it needed to become an amazing campus. This school has so much culture & brought in so new staff that provide fresh new styles for all students. This school has so many great iniatives & FREE programs that are put by great supporters including VIDA clinic (free on campus therapy), Community in Schools, Andy Roddick Foundation's (Free Afterschool & Summer program), & UT Neighborhood longhorn program (enriching students to become College Ready), as well as the wonderful teachers who strive for excellence both in the classroom & with the campus as a whole.If you have not visited Harris before and seen the greatness for yourself, come by or join a meeting to see all the awesome things we have going on.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2020

My son started kinder this year at Harris and is currently enrolled in the two-way Dual Language Spanish Program. Even though we are only a couple of months in as parents, we spent nearly two years getting to know the campus, leadership, and teachers, and we were smitten. Test scores and campus ratings only tell one story, and usually an inaccurate one at that. Our one concern was how virtual learning would impact his first school experience, especially in a language other than English, which is what we speak at home. After the first few days, our concern disappeared. The experience and command over the virtual and in-person classroom of our teacher is incredible. The students are curious and bright and engaged. The academic and extracurricular programs are robust and thoughtful. I’m in love with our neighborhood school and encourage all students and families zoned to Harris to learn about this great school and come join the bulldog family. I’m more than happy to talk more - reach out to me! My name is Shaleiah Fox.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2020

We love this neighborhood school. Harris Elementary's strengths are in its administrators, teachers, and families. I was lucky enough to visit and volunteer at the school last year before my daughter started and there is a positive feeling in the air from staff and students. This year, however, my daughter had to start kindergarten online due to COVID, so I don't get to go inside the building anymore. However, the school has been organized (our online schedule works well and there have been few changes), communicative (weekly parent newsletters and fast replies from principal and teacher), and supportive (dedicated technology advocate works with families who need help). The school's challenges lie in gentrification, housing, socioeconomic inequities in our city and country. As a result of those challenges, they don't have great test scores, but I'm confident that my child is getting a good education, is in a safe space, and is happy.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2014

This school needs better office worker's more English classes and help teach English to parents who don't understand the languag. This school is not preparing my child for college my husband and I are.This school only care for Hispanic not any other race