Kolter Elementary School

6300 Avenue B

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Houston 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 05, 2022

If you could or want to afford a decent house in this area just for the school, then, think twice. The school is having a lot of student discipline issues; teacher student ratio is higher comparing to the other HISD good schools. Principal refused to hire a music teacher for already over two years. As a language magnet school, there is only one Spanish teacher to teach the entire school (800+) students who picked Spanish as their magnet course.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2022

Beautiful new campus, great principal and support staff. Teachers really care about the students. A bit more homework than other schools, but that is reflected in the great test scores. Great PTO and fundraising is limited to only one big fundraiser per year.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2016

Wonderful teachers, caring administration. Great opportunities for kids to mature and learn and create lifellong friendships.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2016

My daughters have been going to this school for 2 years. The intentions are good, however, there is a strong cultural/social presence that permeates the school given the area. The zoned parents hate that it's magnet and look down on "outsiders". It's highly political and favorites run plenty!
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2015

I m not motivated to change schools, but I don t have anything amazing to report either. We bought a home specifically to be zoned, but meh. 1/2 way through K & I have yet to be impressed. PTO is huge & there seems to be a ton of involvement, plus a lot of chaos & lack of information, esp for K parents who don't automatically know things from past years. My LO tested GT but classes are integrated & I've not seen anything specific to push GT kids. We re seeing improvement in reading, (although, 1/2 through the year, my LO says last week was the very 1st time to read for the teacher to establish a reading level), & a general enjoyment for school, which is why I haven't pulled my LO. The language classes seem ok, but aren't what I expected since this is the language magnet. They seem basically the same as the classes I had in K-12, back when all schools had language. I ve been appalled by archaic practices re environmentalism-required to bring lunch in a single-use plastic bag for field trips?! And healthy eating habits-giving 5 yr olds potato chips and candy to teach a taste-test lesson?! Maybe my expectations are too high, & I should accept public school will never be perfect.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2014

My child has been welcomed here since day one and has found both a great academic and social home at Kolter. We are so thrilled to have this school in our community! Dr. Shetzer, the teachers, the office staff, Ms. Garcia the school nurse, the librarian -- all are wonderful professionals who really seem to want the best for the kids. The community also benefits from a very high degree of parental involvement. Why anyone zoned to Kolter would choose a private school or another HISD is completely beyond me. This school is, as another reviewer put it, a gem.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2013

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS SCHOOL! Most, if not all parents would like Kolter (HISD) to build another floor and call it Kolter MIDDLE School! My daughter loves the school, teachers, classmates and Dr. Shetzer. He's GREAT. All decisions are made to help the teachers and students. Parent involvement is A++++!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2013

LOVE our neighborhood school! We have a strong Principal and teaching staff, strong parental involvement with the PTO and a diverse population. Our Prinicpal is new this year and he has really listened to parents and teachers- very approachable and does what is best for all students. Academically, our school is excellent and my child is challenged daily. This is a great school with a great community feeling for all!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2013

Kolter is an example of everything right with public schools. The parental involvement is one of the best aspects. There is a thriving PTO which is able to provide great resources to the school, faculty and staff. The fact that so many parents volunteer their time and efforts in all aspects of the school is a positive influence on all the students. The kids care about the school because the parents care. The diverse culture at Kolter is a window into the world. Our children grow up, not seeing different races or colors. They see friends with different cultures, that expands their knowledge and eliminates prejudices. The education is top notch as the teachers place high expectations on all students, making them all reach their fullest potential. Dr Shetzer and the staff are committed to keeping this neighborhood school the best in HISD.
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2012

This school is the best thing since sliced bread! My 3 children are thriving and the faculty is loving and kind. I am miffed at the parent comment below. I wonder if the comment is a result of a school mandated punishment due to her student's behavior? Dr. Shetzer is a wonderful addition to Kolter and the doors are open for parent/teacher collaboration. This school has an active PTO and a very productive working relationship with faculty and staff. I encourage parents to come see for themselves. Kolter is an educational gem in HISD.
Submitted by teacher on December 21, 2012

As a member of the faculty at Kolter I find it interesting that a parent is giving a perspective from faculty and staff. The fact of the matter is every time we have a principal change (and it is not often) there is always going to be someone who does not like the new principal. The faculty and staff have embraced the new principal and representatives from the staff were on the committee who endorsed his hiring for our school. Every principal who has worked at Kolter has brought new ideas and perspectives that have always made the school even better than it was. Dr. Shetzer fits in very well at our school and teachers, parents, and children like his personality and his vision for our school. Kolter has always had a strong PTO and volunteer participation and that has not changed. We support the new principal and together we will continue to keep Kolter the great school it has always been.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2012

This school was a very good school, but beware that it has a new, inexperienced, principal who does simply not know how to run a school and it shows. I wish my views of this school would not change, but unfortunately this change has caused a lot of tension with teachers and staff and it shows. This principal is not somebody I would want to have twking ca of any school. We are running out if there as fast as we can. Even less parents want to volunteer now, and this is a school that always had big parent involvement. Also, beware that some teachers are very rude to the students and nothing is being done about that, even after it has been reported plenty of times.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2012

I disagree with the parent that made the post about the Pre K teacher. My child was in her room and flourished. She was prepared for Kinder and did outstanding. The kids love the teacher. She is very organized and is kid centered. If I had another Pre K child I would definately want this teacher again.