Bliss Elementary School

4401 SHERIDAN RD

School District

El Paso Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for El Paso 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 April 15, 2023

Bliss has great teachers and staff who provide students with an opportunity to learn. In a busy environment with students coming and going, the school is able to handle the turnovers with ease.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2023

The "know it all" attitude is strong in this staffing. Definitely love staff that speak to you like they are better then you and was deemed so by God.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2021

During such a challenging time with COVID-19, Bliss Elementary has done a great job with working with parents, students and staff. Inspite of the challenges, Bliss had some of the highest test scores in the district, and that's due to leadership and the amazing job of teachers!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2021

If I could give this school zero stars I would. This is absolutely the most disorganized, chaotic school environment I've ever witnessed. The staff is rude and condescending. You either call the school and no one answers the phone, or the most passive-aggressive, dismissive staff you can imagine answers and refuses to assist. Not to mention the school itself is ancient and there's no telling just how much lead and asbestos your child is being exposed to.The drop-off and pick-up is a disaster. It takes over 45 minutes to pick up your child in the afternoon, due to the lack of a pick-up line and parking. You end up parking a 5-10 minute walk away just to wait past the dismissal time in the heat because it seems the staff does not hold itself to the same time management expectations they demand from parents. Their policy states a 5 minute window for pick-up, despite the lack of parking and a student body of 500 kids. As a result, you are forced to arrive early for a Hunger Games-esque experience for parking. As a bonus, there are no bus services offered. RUN away from this school. If not, you too will be running a desert gauntlet, knowing your child is surrounded by rude staff that couldn't care less.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2021

Principals Handy and asst Burciaga are horrible leaders. They have no people skills towards the parents. When asking a question they hide and do not respond. A phone call days later are usually from the secretary. Do not bring your children here. There is alot of bullying on campus as well which admin sweep under the rug.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2018

My kids have been in 3 different schools for the school year because their military kid. Fort Bliss elementary school has made them feel welcome and loved. I would rate this schol 10 if I could. The school provides free lunch and free breakfast to make sure that each child is not hungry while their learning. The incorporate the community and the military life to again make sure each child has every opportunity to have a better education. The staff and teachers are supportive, creative and find innovative ways to make education fun.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2018

My family and I are very happy with Bliss Elementary school. My kids have made lots of friends and the teachers are very supportive of my children academic needs. I rate this as a top military school.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2018

From start to finish for this school year, my child loves going to school. Each day he is made to feel special and he wakes up every morning wanting to see the staff!!! I love this school!!
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2018

Unfortunately there is not one word to describe this school. But in my opinion, (and the opinion of other parents I have spoken to), this school is amazing, caring, compassionate, organized, professional, efficient, friendly, very welcoming, all staff is respectful. The integrity is seen and very noticeable due to the wonderful staff, not to mention the great administration that runs this school. Because I am military spouse, my children have had to attend several schools. Bliss is one school that all of us will remember forever, regardless of where the military takes us. It's because of the excellent experience we all have encountered here at Bliss. Fortunately my children are attending the best school in El Paso. I hope every child of a military parent have this same privilege. Thank you Bliss for all you do and for serving our children in such a great, caring and compassionate manner. My husband, (as a member of the military), is always being thanked for serving our country, I feel it is our turn, as Bliss parents, to thank all the great staff at this school. Whatever you are doing to be this great......please continue doing it......it's working!
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2018

I feel this school is doing their very best to accommodate everyone. If us as parents are not satisfied with the school or it's staff. We are welcomed to transfer to another school with no problems. Sometimes it's not the school but us the parents with our behavior and lack of support, volunteering, cooperation need work on.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2018

Horrible. If it wasnt at the end of the year my son would be moved out. Were calling an emergency ard i still have to wait 3 weeks for
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2017

Bliss Elementary is a good school. The principal is fairly new, but has already made improvements to the school. It is really sad how some parents complain and instead of being supportive. Currently Bliss Elementary is a Tier 1 school in terms of academic achievement. Bliss also received 5/6 distinctions for academic achievement due to high scores on the STAAR. Obviously the principal is doing a good job.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2017

Last school year, a teacher grabbed my son's arm, violently yanked him, & started screaming in his face. When he told her that he was going to tell me, she repeatedly screamed "I don't care about your mother!". This was on a field trip in view of a fellow parent who came to me after she got home from chaperoning to tell me what happened. We contacted the school police but it was not handled properly. The police and principal were uninterested in speaking to the parent witness & our child was not present for this conversation; instead, the principal had him write a statement about what happened. As you can imagine, a statement written by a 1st grader is not very detailed. We were told by the officer that a forensic investigator would speak with our child so he wouldn't have to repeat the story but this never happened; he never spoke to any officer. We were never given a case number, never heard back from the police on this matter, & the teacher faced no disciplinary action. The matter was swept under the rug by the school & the school police. We are now 2 weeks into the new school year & are now facing another set of problems. Before school started, I requested that my child have a certain teacher whom I trust with the safety & well being of my child. After being told to send the principal an email about it & verifying that she received it, my request went unanswered. On meet the teacher night, I tried to speak with the principal a 2nd time to have his teacher changed. After patiently waiting over 1 1/2 hours, I was told she was too busy & scheduled a meeting to speak with her on the 1st day of school. At this meeting, I tried for a 3rd time to change my child's teacher. I not only voiced my concerns of my child's safety & well being, but also my concerns with his assigned teacher. My request was refused & I agreed to a trial run. Near the end of the 2nd week, I found out that a student in my child's class transferred into the class I had tried 3 times to get my child into. After speaking with the parent, I learned that his teacher slammed the door, screamed at the class, & threw books on the floor. When I asked my child why he didn't tell me, he told me he was scared. I went up to the school the next day to speak with the principal but she was busy so I left my contact info. She called me later & I tried for a 4th time to change my child's teacher, again to no avail. I've been forced to contact the assistant superintendent who oversees the elementary schools in hopes of resolving this issue as the principal refuses to change my child's teacher. This school has failed my child. All I want is for him to feel safe & for me to know that he is in good hands.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2017

I'm not allowing my child go back
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2017

Bliss is a really good school and I think the staff is doing a terrific job. There has been quite a few changes, but the changes ensure the safety of the students and staff. That new principle is one smart lady! It's really sad that some parents complain about safety measures that are in place to keep the kids safe. As the old saying goes, "you can't please everyone". Bradley, keep up the excellent work! My kids look forward to going to school everyday because you make them feel special.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2017

Mrs.Handy and the teachers here at Bliss Elementary are horrible. The teachers are very rude and do not communicate with the parents. I have two children who attend this school and I would have to say this is the WORST school ever. When you walk into the classroom the teachers do not greet you or even give you any feedback about your childs progress in the classroom. The atmosphere in general is very bad. The dismissal process is very unorganized and you are forced to drop your children off outside because parents aren't allowed in the building. YOUR concerns as a parent are rarely addressed and the principal Mrs.Handy does very little to resolve your issues. I have went to the board of education several times to voice my concerns of this school. Parent involvement is very important for a child's success in school and I feel as a parent Mrs.Handy and her staff has taken that right away from me. Please look into another school if possible because children need teachers who care unlike the ones at BLISS ELEMENTARY. Horrible school surprised it is on a military base .
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2015

Unfortunately, this is THE worst school my children have attended on a military facility, which is very disheartening. The have limited resources, they only have a few (literally) afterschool programs. The school seems to not care about fostering a relationship with parents (you have to fill out an application in order to volunteer), and the atmosphere is really negative and unprofessional ( most teachers, staff, and administration). There are no buses to pick kids up who live away from the school, therefore, EVERY day, parents have to drop off and pick up their kids, which is very congested and time consuming.One of the plusses of this school is, they have a great nurse, gentleman who directs traffic, an aide, and an office secretary, who out of most of the staff members at this school, seem to genuinely take the time to show a care for those they come in contact with (I've actually overheard staff in the hall talking bad about kids, and didn't even care that others were around to hear them!) I always wondered how people could give something a "bad" review, because to me, there is always something to find good about any situation, however, in this case, this review is legit. This school needs MAJOR improvements, inside and out!
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2014

I have three children that attend school at Bliss and we love it there. We have been at bliss school for 5yr. My kids are happy and they have loved every teacher that they have had. When we first got there I really don't care for the principal but since Dr. Brooks has taking over its a lot better. The only problem that I have had is bullying during P.E. Sometimes I feel like the coaches are not paying enough attention to what is going on. Also over the yrs I've notice how some parents complain a lot about the school, but wont step up and volunteer to help make a change.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

My son is in pre-k and the only issue we have had so far was a discrepancy with his teacher. When I went to talk to the principal about it she automatically said no problem we will switch classes and put him with the other teacher. The next morning he had a new teacher. I was quite shocked on how fast she got it done. Also this year they added a music program for the older kids which I know they didn't have in the past which is great. The only thing I don't like is the fact they don't have buses for the kids who live 2 miles out. For the parents that work its very difficult for us to bring our kids to school when as a military wife we know our husbands can't just take off work to being the kids to school. Other then that the school is great. No issues of bulling that I see and they have a gentleman up front with the preachoolers when they are let out so no one goes missing or gets to wild which is awesome!
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2013

My daughter attends first grade at this school and for me has been of great benefit to her. If it has its flaws like any school but as education is very good. There is always unhappy parents who think their children are the only ones that exist and claim that teachers are just for them and that's impossible. I just read that treat children as military lunchtime and that is false. Children have enough time to eat and cafeteria compared to other schools in the EPISD here are very flexible.