Macgregor El

4801 La Branch Street

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 August 04, 2021

My daughter had attended MacGregor since she was in kinder. Since those years I noticed many changes to the school like staff changes and the removal of a pto to allow parents to raise money and support the school and the students. I personally never had any issues with the teachers through the years but I heard from a few parents that they had a very different experiences. One time my daughter came home telling me that she saw her teacher cry when she wasn't helped with a student who was causing some behavior issue in the classroom. That concerning to me as a parent because the school should have our children safety first. This child apparently disrupting classroom materials and talking back to the teacher. Makes me think what the school staff or teacher did to handle that situation because I for sure dont want my child seeing this kind of behavior to be okay and acceptable when really children are their to safely learn and enjoy the school day. I also heard from someone that this shchool has inconsistent with teachers out every month and there are many new teachers which is disappointing because I wanted my child to be with a certain teacher that has taught there for many years only to hear that they no longer teach there. Like I said many new changes. so I made the change to switch my daughter to a different school last year in 2019 year and was a big difference. I hope there are better changes at the school because I originally was happy with MacGregor when my daughter first attended. School need improvement
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2020

I would give MacGregor a strong B+. My daughter went here for Kindergarten, and is returning for first grade. I wasn’t really sure about this school at first because of the lack of high diversity numbers but I have been quite pleased with MacGregor. I think this school is very under rated. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Texas and a MBA, and in my opinion this school should be rated at least a 7 /10. I think the 5 /10 rating has to do with the school’s standardized testing scores and lack of high diversity. I was never great at standardized testing, and went on to earn two degrees and a job where the industry standard for the role I’m in is well in the six digit salary range. Please hear me, I am not simply saying a person’s education or success is defined by money, only that I believe standardized testing does not define the course of a child’s life. As far diversity, this school does have it in every demographic, just not high numbers in every demographic.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2019

In all honesty, I give this school 3.5 stars for very personal reasons. I am a parent that grew up in the neighborhood and have history here and want to support a local school. This school at one point in time was pretty good for public school. But good public schools are usually supported heavily by the parents, and the principal over MacGregor right now seems to be against parent involvement. The teachers seem to be following her lead as they do not communicate effectively with parents and many of them are not highly educated. Yes, they went to college, but they do not seem all too intelligent. Poor grammar and critical thinking skills show this repeatedly. BUT there is hope and there are some really important positives. The magnet program is great. My son has really excelled with this program and seems to have gained more confidence from being involved with it; I am also very pleased with the magnet teachers and their efforts to involve parents in student activities. I want MacGregor- an AA historic school- to do well and support the school as much as possible, but they make it so hard.
Submitted by teacher on August 14, 2018

The school definitely gears its curriculum to teaching students how to become more effective at taking standardized tests. Unfortunately, this rarely translates to conceptual knowledge and ones ability to apply those concepts outside of very specific parameters. Students at this campus routinely function 1-2 grade levels below average in terms of mastery of grade-appropriate skills and academic achievement. In my opinion, students at this school would be unequipped for academic success moving into a mid-level to high-level middle school environment.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2017

The principal Mrs. Garrett is unapproachable and my child hasn't had a teacher since January. I found out from my child and another parent. Every other day there is a different substitute in the classroom. The principal hasn't said a word about it. They're not receiving any kind of work or nothing. My child will not be coming back to Macgregor next year!
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2017

My son has been builled for several months and I'm constantly at the school. The principal does absolutely nothing but write the indent down(report). Nobody calls me when the incident happens, I'm usually notified by my child or another parent. One incident is.... he was held down, while his shoes was thrown over the balcony. Please do not send your kids here. The teachers do not probably watch the kids and the cafeteria often have 1 adult watching 5 or more classes at a time
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2017

My only concern is the new principal, Ms Garret, is very impersonable. Seems like she avoids the parents, students and staff at all cost! Door is always closed, she's standoffish at events such as dances, she acts as if she's being bothered all of the time! Previous principal was very loving the staff children and parents loved her but with this principal it seems as if her move to that position was about clout opposed the love of the job! And concern for children I hope she's not just using Macgregor as a stepping for her next move!!! I also don't understand how the school is a music and science magnet, yet the students only go to each maybe once every 1.5 wks( this is a plan of the new principal), the schedule makes zero sense and seems redundant of a science and music magnet!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2015

My child is a kindergartener this year, and so far we have had the best experience. This school has so much to offer involving science, music, and other capabilities. My son, loves everything about it and I've seen a huge increase in his learning aptitude.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2013

I graduated from MacGregor Elem in 2007 and it was a great learning experience for me. I really had a great time there and approaching graduating from high school I feel that te school really helped me. If I could turn back time and go back there I really would!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2012

I have not been satisfied with the warmth and welcoming experinces I have been recieving from MacGregor, my daughter & I walked into the school a few days before school started and the principal did not acknowledge myself (and she's familiar w/ me b/c I've had to speak with her on more than 1 occasion), or my daughter, now her schoo isn't very big and I work in the school system so knowing a 3rd year student should have been recognizable to her. Furthermore she did not have to acknowledge me (which would have been the best thing to do being a parent), however she did not at the least acknowledge my child. There was also another incident were she expected her staff to handle a issue my daughter had with another student touching her instead of herself addressing the issue immediately, (to be in agreement w/ a no tolerance of touching, or bullying incident). The principal is very rude and has a horrible attitude, she is not welcoming and it rubs off on her staff, the secretary being the next rude person that an outsider contacts when the enter the school. These are the 2 main people who should be polite, my child will not be returning to MacGregor next year.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2010

I think that MacGregor is a great school. I have two grandchildren that attend and they have learn a lot from the school. They did not want to change school since they started in kindergarten.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2010

I have a daughter that attend this school she is a second grader this is the frist year at the school. I can truly say I'm very pleased with the staff & principal keep up the good work Tigers.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2007

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