James L Masters

2650 WOODLAKE PKWY

School District

Judson Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Judson 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 September 13, 2018

Very disappointed. My child has been so excited to start 3rd grade until he got his new teacher and substitute teacher that seem to yell and threaten students on a daily, telling the classmates that she will call a student's parents and tell them to bring a belt to spank the kid in front of the school. My child told me that after a friend's parents had a meeting with said teacher it got even worse after they left. My kid nearly wet himself from not being allowed to use the restroom. The concept that children learn best when they have fun and feel good about themselves must have not been taught to the teachers at Master's. They are against bullying but the teachers are the ones doing it with their "old fashion practices and personal views". Recess is often taken away due to the misbehavior of 1 or 2 individuals, or bad weather and in that case they will continue to work through recess instead of allowing a quick break so the kids are able to focus on the material.I also found that there are not many after school activities offered by the school. In Virginia, the schools offered math and literacy evenings frequently, movie nights, book and reading fairs with games, and back to school bashes, culture nights, popcorn on Fridays etc. I don't quite understand the good ratings. It might be a Texan thing about the overly harsh teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2018

I have been very impressed with the PreK program at Masters. My son's teacher Ms. Mitchell has made the world of difference. I can tell she cares very much about my son and his progress not only in academics, but as a person. I get updates from her via texts, and she personally comes out almost every day to tell me about my son's day, even the good ones. I cannot express how much that means to me as a parent and sending my child off to school for the first time knowing how he is doing. All the other PreK teachers have been great as well and I am so happy with our experience at Masters.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2015

The school puts a lot of emphasis on reading and comprehension and math. My kids learned a great deal over the school year. I love how the principal is very child/parent oriented and encouraging to the students.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2014

The principle of this school is very child centered. She cares about the education of her children. This is the second year at Master's and we are a military family with other options. We love it at this school. Academics, especially reading is a priority at this school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

First of all the Principal is fantastic. As a military family we move a lot, this is my sons 3rd school. We have seen a principal that is disconnected and hides in his office, and a principal that allows teacher to have meltdowns in front of students. Then we came here, and the principal is very proactive and very involved with her students and staff. She is the principal you wish you could pack with you to every duty station. She is no-tolerance when it come to bulling, and does everything she can to make she that either she or the vice principal gives you a call back within a few hours and is more than happy to sit in on a parent teacher conference. The teachers are very nice, however I do wish that my sons teacher would initiate contact when my son is struggling instead of not saying anything. I don't know if he needs help if nothing is said. I've had to initiate all interaction. But that is just one teacher. My daughters teacher is new to the school and is amazing at communicating with me and is very positive and encouraging to her. There are plenty of way for a parent to get involved through the PTO or just helping at the school, so far has just been a very nice experience.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

I would have to say Masters is a great school they keep the parents informed if your child is having problems in any subject and they act fast on the problem jnstead of waiting until your child grade is in danger.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2013

ALl 3 of my children have attended this school for the past 2 years. I am so pleased with the teachers, the staff and administration. Guaranteed my kids will not graduate from any other Elem. school. Mavericks forever!!!
Submitted by other on August 04, 2013

I think the bottom line here is that parents need to be more involved in their child's education and school environment. It is not enough to send your child to school and expect things to be ok...teachers, administration, staff...we all would like to see more parental involvement. It seems to me that parents who don't really know what is going on are the ones that complain the most...these types of reviews don't help parents like me who are wanting to find out more about the school their child will be attending...I am a school teacher in SA and know for a fact the lack of parent involvement and would definitely welcome it if parents are willing to give some of their time to get to know the teachers, staff, and administration. Other districts have great PTA/PTO involvement...how come we can't commit to that here in this district? The ultimate goal is to see our kids succeed, right? Parents, I challenge you to get involved to make the 2013-2014 a success...be committed to your child's education and get involved in making things better. WE need to act and be role models to those who may be lacking in the area of making others feel welcome. Walk the walk, don't just talk!
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

Lets be clear about academic status first before we start bashing a school. RECOGNIZED campus is BETTER than EXEMPLARY status. My daughter has been at this school since it opened as well. She is an honor roll student. She has never missed honor roll since she has been at Masters Elementary. She passed the STAARS test as well with flying colors. When I had concerns about my daughter, I spoke to Dr. Arnell(Principal) and she addressed my concerns immediately. She is not a do whatever the teacher wants type of principal. She makes sure that the teachers teach and students do their BEST! She has high expectations for the staff and students! This is an EXCELLENT school. My daughter will be attending Metzger next year and I pray that the school has the SAME expectations. I highly recommend JAMES MASTERS ELEMENTARY. They have cheerleading, dribble team, and choir among other activities for their students.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2012

At first I was so happy with the new school in the neighborhood. The school year started off so well until they started moving children from their classes. That's when trouble started. If I didn't know my child better I wouldn't have noticed his change in behavior. He went from an ALL "A" to just passing. His attitude changed and just seemed depressed. He started getting bad marks and also grades. I made it a point to take the required background check to visit my childs class after my child said that the teacher called him a Son of a B!%(#. As I began to make my way to the class room I caught up with the class only to witness the teacher screaming at the kids in the middle of the hallway very loudly. I introduced myself and said I will be joining the class. Just before we walked in she informed me not only had she moved my child from the rest of the class but put him in the corner with his desk facing the wall so he could not access his belongings. I sat with my child the whole time to see his daily routine and was becoming angry. We couldn't see the lessons and to be part of the class we had to leave our seat and sit on the floor. I have so much more to say but have no space.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2012

I am a highly involved parent and I must say that this school was awesome when it first opened. Since then it seems like it has gone downhill. From what I understand the campus lost it exemplary status and is only recognized so the principal seems to be pushing the students and teachers to do well on the new STAAR test. The principal personally talked with individual student and had them promise to do their best. It put a lot of kids under more stress because they felt if they do badly then they would get in trouble. I think every school is going to have problems, how the problems are handled by the staff and principal is what counts. When a problem came up with my child and their teacher I felt like the principal really didn t care. She said that she fully believes in her teachers and wouldn't have them at her school if she didn t. I think that a lot of the lack of parent involvement is due to the fact that some of the staff and teachers make parents feel unwelcome. Obviously there is something wrong when the PTO board members from this year are not only stepping down but most all of them are moving their children to charter schools or homeschooling them.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2011

First of all- this school is in Judson ISD, on Wooklake Parkway, in Converse NOT Live Oak- the address listed is incorrect. My kids have been at this school since it opened. I am so impressed with the building, and resources available to the teachers and students. The extra activities and after school programs are amazing. It has been hit-or-miss with some of the teachers, some don't seem to enjoy being there as much as others; however my impression has always been that the frustration comes more from the lack of parental involvement. I have been impressed with the principal, and her willingness to meet with us and discuss any concerns we have had. I am a parent volunteer and am in the school helping at least once a week- and I can honestly say that I am VERY happy with having my kids there, and believe this to be the best elementary school in Judson ISD.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2011

Teachers are only there for a pay check. They only teach for the TAKS tests and the administrators could care less about the concerns of the parents. Already removed my kids.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2011

The first year was a good year but now the teachers are getting sloppy and aren't really caring about the children well being. The principle, Mrs Arnell, just goes along with what ever the teachers say. I am going to remove my children.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2010

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