Kealing Middle School

1607 Pennsylvania Avenue

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 student on July 29, 2024

This school might've been good before, but it has gone severely downhill. They are very short-staffed which means the teachers that they do hire are not good. I had one teacher where she didn't even teach. She just handed us notes and assignments. While she was grading for the final semester, she replaced my friends ungraded assignments with zeros because she didn't want to grade them. Most of the only interesting electives are gone because the teachers left. I remember I was in an elective that was supposed to have an overnight field trip and me and my friends were so hyped up for it but then it turned out that it was too late because they didn't order the charter buses soon enough or something. There are very minimal chances of being with your friend during lunch because we have 4 different lunch periods and even rarer to be in a class with your friend. However, I'm not saying that it's all bad. I had some really good and fun teachers in Kealing which really made it worthwhile but honestly I feel like most of the teachers just don't care.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2023

This is not a safe environment for kids. There are no consequences for student’s aggressive behaviors in the classrooms towards students/ teachers. Admin does not take action in these situations, making it difficult for students, teachers and parents to feel safe and supported.
Submitted by student on October 24, 2023

I am an 8th grader at Kealing right now, and it's kind of hard for me to write this review because when I first got here, it was the peak of Covid-19, so it was obviously horrible. Now, since the pandemic is pretty much completely over, it is much better than it was and it seems to be making upward progress, so I would recommend it for for incoming 6th graders as next year it will probably be a really good school. The only things I really have to say about reasons not to go are 1. fights happen all the time between students so it's not the most safe school, and 2. there is a lot more homework than other schools like Lively and Small, so if you want to avoid work as much as possible, this is not the school for you.
Submitted by student on October 06, 2023

I would recommend Kealing for incoming students. Most of the teachers are very nice and good at doing their job. There are some problems with fights at the school, but it is slowly getting better. I personally enjoy Kealing and have had a really good experience.
Submitted by student on May 15, 2023

I am in 8th grade and about to graduate. The teachers are super nice and try their best, but I think that the admin has really let them down these last few years. The fights are really bad and people constantly set off trash fires and fireworks. I can't even walk through the halls without being shoved into a locker by kids that are running through the halls just to skip class. The homework is definitely better than the rumors, but I think that is because of COVID.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2022

My child is in the magnet program and has found the core academic coursework challenging and rewarding. Her teachers are engaging and dedicated. The elective courses are more of a mixed bag - some are worthwhile but others seem more like loosely organized free periods. There do appear to be ongoing behavior issues with some students. I have seen students wandering the hallways during class time and ignoring teacher requests to return to their room. My child tells me these are typically the same students day after day and that they knock on doors and run - leading to interruptions in learning. There is a new principal who I hope can take a hard line with unruly students to preserve the academic standards of this school.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2022

My kid is having a great time at school, learning a lot and making new friends from across the city. She likes all her teachers too. Looking forward to having my other kid go here as well. So many fun options for electives.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2021

Great school! Great teachers that care and push students with patience! Great student community! My kid really enjoys it!
Submitted by other on May 09, 2021

Amazing middle school several people trying to buy to send their kids to this middle school.
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2021

This school seems beyond repair. Magnet systems should never be allowed to have disproportionate programs. The idea that the majority of a school is considered elite or academically better implies that the other group is inadequate. Having any percent other than 50% allows for bias to exist; whether it be conscious or not. This is evident in the treatment of students, teachers, and classified staff. What’s done behind closed doors is not portrayed accurately to the public. If you are a teacher passionate about equity, this is a career killer. If you are a parent of a child with disabilities, language issues or low literacy, or even of color... Please do not let your child anywhere near this school.Kealing is the epitome of sincere ignorance.
Submitted by student on January 17, 2021

I am in the magnet program. I think that it is appropriately challenging but there is a lot of work some times. I would recommend this school if you like crying. Also people in the academy program are kinda cray cray though.
Submitted by student on August 11, 2019

I really enjoy it and my first year has been my best year in my schooling, Kealing is great and it helped me improve a lot.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2018

Awful like broke my son. If your child is in the magnet program which all these scores are based on then great! If your child is here in the academy or regular school be prepared for teachers who don’t care, don’t teach and definitely allow children to behave like aggressive rude children
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2018

Great experience so far at the Kealing Magnet Program. My son finally feels challenged and LOVES going to school every day.
Submitted by student on May 29, 2017

The Kealing magnet program is a great program and has taught me a lot. There are some kids in the academy program who can be a little harsh, but overall Kealing is awesome!
Submitted by other on April 27, 2017

Tried to meet with someone from the school for a quick tour, after 3 weeks of calling, leaving messages, being placed on hold for 10 minutes, I gave up. I hear it's a good school though.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2016

As of the 12th of November, my son will have been going to Kealing for a month. In this time he has endured vulgar and racial slurs from other students, has been slapped in the face on the bus, has had a photo taken of him while exposed during a restroom break and today was thrown down in the hallway between classes. I have been made aware that no other student has received any consequences for their actions (assaults) due to the fact that staff members apparently cannot seem to figure out which students are doing is things. My child's experience at this time has been entirely negative. As parents, we want to have a sense of security regarding our children when they go out that door each morning. At this time, I DO NOT feel that my son is in a safe environment at Kealing Middle School.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

My son recently completed Kealing and loved this school. He learned skills to study and work at a high level. The teachers are amazing and go out of their way for the students. They create interesting material and challenging projects for their classes. Although it is not a good fit for everyone. The homework amount and level of intensity was a bit much at times. Daily and weekends. Good fit for the academically minded student who likes challenges and loves to study and learn. Our other child chose to go to Fulmore Magnet, a more well-rounded experience (not just academics), which has also been a good experience.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2013

I agree with the 8th grade blond girl, 5 hour HW is a tale. For my 6th grade son, Social study (World culture) has the most HWs, then Algebra, both are interesting and both teachers are great. My son does the homework slower after school since he was checking youtube, pokemen, games...... So he spent average of 3 hours in stead of 2 hours if he can focus.
Submitted by other on November 13, 2013

I currently go to Kealing and I love it. With a little organization and focus, you can basically get anywhere in this school. If you love a challenge and if you love learning, you will definitely love this school.