Ryan Elementary School

201 West Ryan Road

School District

Denton Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Denton 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 November 09, 2023

We moved to this school in 2022 and we are very much happy and grateful. Teachers and staff members are always helpful. My kids I Love You their school and teachers.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2020

Beyond awesome teachers so far. Front desk staff on any problem quickly. Superior school. Just love our experience this far.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

Fantastic. When you walk in the doors of the school you see teachers and staff smiling which tell you a lot about the environment. It is welcoming and warm. It is also a great representation of what the real world is like. Yes, the test scores may not be as high as in other schools, there are kids from ALL socioeconomic backgrounds, kids from all ethnic backgrounds, and all are equal in the teacher and administration eyes. The current staff and admin want every kid to succeed and you will see that in the improved test scores over the past 4 year. The school is in a major upward swing and I feel WS Ryan in the best kept secret in DISD!
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2017

My daughter loves WS Ryan, specially to her teacher. The principal, teacher and staff are fantastic.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

Ryan Elementary is a wonderful school with a caring principal and fantastic teachers! Our first year here has been such a stark difference from our experience at the local charter school and we can't wait until next year!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

I have really high hopes for this school in the coming years. With the exit of their principal last year and the new one coming in we've already seen drastic changes for the better in only one semester. The teachers are caring and their hearts are in the right place too. It's up from here for WS Ryan!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2015

Our kids have done really well at Ryan. I think some folks expect the school to do everything and when they don't they say is not a good school. The teachers are caring and skilled, the students are proud to go there! If more parents would be involved and participate the school would see its full potential. I feel like the new leadership is excellent and there are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the future of WS Ryan!
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2014

Horrible school. My daughter was evaluated at this school and was found to be normal. I took her to see a specialist and she was diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder, this school refused her services. Also, she was horribly bullied in Kindergarten. The teacher never did anything about it and the principal didnt seem to care. She does not consider anything bullying unless the child was physically harmed or given a death threat. Absurd!! We are moving the hell away from Denton ISD into a school district that actually cares the the kids. If you can avoid denton ISD please do.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2014

Only school that failed the states low standards in the entire district. Teachers request to leave and families are moving away or pulling their students out of the school.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2014

There is no recognition for merit or achievement in the last two years. Everyone gets an "award" to be politically correct and no one's feelings hurt. The brighter students are unchallenged/not receiving appropriate education. Nothing much offered above or beyond bare minimum for them. Non-English speaking students/parents are prioritized and catered to throughout this school. They comprise 50% of school population according to STARR breakdown/ most do not live in Ryan zone. Hence, the STARR scores. English fluency is not attained when same students stay in non-English speaking classes from K-5. This program is not working. Other districts see English fluency in much shorter time. There are also some major behavior issues not being addressed. These students disrupt classes, and impede learning frequently.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2014

We used to be happy here and the kids USED to love it. This campus has been through so many new principals and assistant principals... That should have been our clue to get out before the school was drowned with such unprofessionalism, narcissism, and cretinous decisions! The principal has moved teachers every year to grades in which they have no experience. Some grades suffer from a whole new team each year. This only sets the teachers and students for failure. The principal could at least keep one "seasoned" teacher for each team to lead them to success but she cannot see past her own narcissism. If you are on the PTA, I'm sorry, votes don't mean anything with this principal; she will do whatever she wants!! Teachers are being chased away by her bullying or leave because they can't put up with her unprofessionalism, and activities and classrooms are no longer age appropriate. If you are a parent keeping your child at WS Ryan next year, then I suggest you pay your child's classroom a visit. Some teachers keep the kids in the dark all day and the principal says nothing. Discipline is also a huge issue, and complaints made to the campus and district are not taken seriously.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2014

What you asked has happened to this school? Good old fashioned cronyism. It seeps through this school system like sewage. Oh, and the school board is ineffective. It wasn't WHAT this principles credentials were, it was WHO she knew.. Her very good and old friend is the director for elementary academic programs. If the superintendent is aware of the incapability between faculty, staff, and parents with this principle, he would intervene and end this calamity before property values fall. Have you seen the STARR results from this school compared to other schools in this district? Who in there right mind would want to live in that school's zone? Who is suffering the most ?The students. Parents, you pay the salaries. Act Now. Bring back the glory days of this school!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

What has happened at WS Ryan? Parents are no longer welcomed to come and celebrate achievement with their children. My child is very bright and works hard on everything she does. Is the principal afraid to recognize achievement so we don't hurt the feelings of the children who did not. My daughter is in 4th grade this year. I will be withdrawing her for next year. This administration has major issues. The principal is fake. She makes you think she is her for the children, teachers and parents. All I've seen is a woman who wants control and do whatever it takes to achieve it. She needs to go to save this school from a complete meltdown.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

Things have changed in the last two years. Most teachers have been assigned classes in different levels from what they were currently teaching. That caused confusion and lots of work on the teachers' parts to master & gather resources for their new teaching assignment. Learning has suffered as a result. Any type of social event for the students has been drastically scaled back. Students are no longer recognized for excellence. Rather, they are recognized for attendance and being a student at the school. The year end awards include one and only one "award" for each student stating a paragraph of praise. No awards allowed for academic achievement. Field day was reduced from a half day to only two and a half hours with lunch and "year end party" during that time. The "year end party" is a cupcake table during field day. Good teachers are leaving in droves. Families are taking their children out and transferring to other schools. The principal is very nice when you meet with her, but cannot be convinced to allow the kids to continue social activities that have been traditional at this school. This and other decisions are affecting the education of our children negatively.
Submitted by teacher on October 24, 2013

The past two years have been nothing but inconsistent, unbalanced, and stressful. The new administration is like a dictaorship. Teachers opinions are not valued or appreciated. Parents complain daily about how she controls everything including the PTA. The school is no longer inviting and fun to teach children. Children feel the stress created directly by the principal. Many teachers left the school last year and many more will leave this year if the same administration remain. I used to love to teach here, but I can't continue to struggle with administration that only values self.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2013

Well this used to be a great school, but now it has a new dictator. She was hired to be the new leader, but she has done nothing but create fear, anxiety, and allowed bullying. In fact she is a bully herself. Teachers are quitting, transferring, and leaving even mid year to get away from her. She has kept PTA funds and not allowed teachers from purchasing necessary supplies for their class even when funds are available and offered by PTA. Students are not punished for yelling, screaming, cussing, threatenening others or hitting. In fact, they are rewarded daily with candy (against state law) and prizes. If your child attends this school, you might want to visit the school soon.