River Oaks Elementary School

2008 Kirby Drive

School District

Houston Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
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 02, 2022

I love ROE!!! My child has Asperger’s syndrome and this was her first year (kindergarten) that she’s ever been in any form of an institution. My husband and I work from home so we are always on the go. Never having any structure, my daughter was able to learn and grow in an environment conducive to her learning curve. She’s so smart. She has disabilities in certain tasks. Knowing this I was very afraid to put her into a normal public school setting. The principal made sure I was so comfortable. I had her cell phone number, I had her teacher’s cell phone number, and they always called me if there was any discrepancies. The PTO is so involved it’s no wonder why the school has a 10/10. Dr. Go argue and Mrs. Hertz were amazing! My daughter excelled because of the trust she had in these two! I can’t leave out Mrs. D’Souza and Mr. Johnson!! From start to finish this school is thee best!!! Hands down. If you’re looking for a place for your children to flourish, this school is the way to go!!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2018

The experience varies from year to year, as teachers retire and new ones replace them. Because I have another experience to compare to this one, ROE is chaotic, fast paced, disorganized, and there is not enough time in the day for teachers to teach advanced math skills, teach a music instrument, or celebrate all the child prodigies amongst them. The teachers do a tremendous job giving the students so much, while the district is providing them with so little to work with. The parents may be the biggest contributing factor to why ROE remains a high rated school. The parents are highly educated and committed to volunteerism at the school. Contrary to popular belief that most parents are wealthy at the school, they are not. Their value is being hardworking committed parents who will teach their own kids math, when the school lags behind. Parents will pay for independent tutors to overcome language barriers. Many parents teach their own kids to speak multiple languages fluently. Parents have taken the initiative to pay for outside instructors to develop extraordinary music, art, and sports talents. Spending great time and money on after school programs to cultivate academic success and talent in their own children.ROE takes credit for academic achievements that are not developed, cultivated, and nurtured during school hours. A child can go through ROE, playing Mozart, reproducing Michelangelo, acquiring trophies for every tech, talent, or sports competition, and remain uncelebrated and invisible at ROE.The student selection for ROE is based on the delicate balance of race, wealth, and the contribution of academic development by educated parents, upholding the caste system. Education that is being administered at River Oaks is neither fully funded or equally distributed among the students. There are certainly better schools, and better experiences for elementary students than River Oaks Elementary. Compared to what is available in HISD, and the innerloop, River Oaks is definitely a top choice. This school will definitely teach Reading and the English Language, intro to STEM careers, Cultural Assimilation, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking, Social Class Structure, and the Superiority Complex very well through the IB Units. Once a child emerges from this pressure cooker, they are destined to emerge to be a formidable presence.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2017

This school is run like an organized ship. I wish that the school supported a different environment where teachers nurtured the kids learning and made it more fun for the kids. There is a lot of pressure to learn and to preform. I get that, but I think the school needs more teachers who personally connect to the kids and bring out their unique abilities. I want my child to be encouraged, nurtured, and taught in a fun environment where they can blossom into an independent and inquisitive learner nd not just be another child in the class. The rigorous school work coupled with disciplinarian personalities just isn't for every child.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2017

The principal is very easy to talk to. She takes all concerns seriously and responds promptly. There are a few parents who walk around with a sense of entitlement. She doesn't put them on a pedestal and therefore the complaints below about her. She is fair. She is intelligent. She is very careful about communicating adequately and not over communicating. I can tell from the word choice in one of the more negative reviews below that it is coming from a parent who thinks that school administrators are their public servants. They are not. They work for HISD and they do not play favorites. The principal of ROE is very fair and that may annoy some of the more entitled individuals who are not used to the word No.
Submitted by student on August 27, 2016

My daughter has also attended this school since Kindergarten. For the past years, parents were allowed to walk their kids to classroom without any issues. Parents have been very cooperative in the morning and follow school guideline. Just this week, Dr. Fovart, sent out email banning parents from walking their children to classroom. We are still in the first 2 weeks of school, kids and parents are adjusting to the routine after 3 month of summer. I would miss walking my child to her classroom and see other parents in the hallway. Why are parents perceived as cause of safety concern?
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2016

My child goes to this school. This is great community because of supporting parents and some caring teachers. However, poor communication from the Principal with her weekly newsletters with lack of details. Her newsletter sometimes generates more confusions and questions than detailing events.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2016

In response to the previous comment about the principal Keri Fovargue, I have seen quite the opposite of what the previous review has claimed. My child has been a student since kindergarten. I have also noticed how she interacts with parents with concerns including my own. She likes to hear praise and acts very impatient with parents with concerns. She is also very inconsiderate and disingenuous. I can recall one heavy rainy morning, she yelled out at parents at the lobby to remind them that their children would be tardy if they don't hurry their children to classes. This community deserves a better principal and we have enough of her, and it's time for change.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2016

My son has attended ROE since kindergarten and we have absolutely loved it. The teachers and the principal, Keri Fovargue, are wonderful. I have observed Ms. Fovargue's patience and caring nature with all types of children as well as their high maintenance parents. She is a true leader and the success of this school under her guidance is proof-positive of that.
Submitted by other on August 03, 2015

The school cherry picks the student from other parts of town. So your kids would be among other good kids. However, the school is under the leadership of a principal with no vision and passion with little kids. You will get a sense how this person is if you have a chance to talk to her.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

My daughter has attended River Oaks Elementary from Kindergarten and is now in 5th grade. We have been through 3 principals, which has been a little rocky. However, my daughter has had excellent teachers who are g/t certified and not burned out. The IB Program is excellent and provides an unusual opportunity for kids to problem solve and think outside the box as well as cultivates values of empathy and creativity. The School encourages Odyssey of the Mind and it's teams often go to State and World. The PTO is active and raises money that it uses to improve the lives of the teachers and students. The school could use a better library and a gymnasium. This is a good school not a perfect one - but a really good one.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this amazing school!!! Most days it is hard believe that this fabulous school is a public school!! It is both warm and academically rigorous at the same time, which is hard to do well (but it is done well here!!!) I am so thankful for the wonderful education my daughter is getting here!!!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Teachers are great and facilities are well organized. Most importantly, my son loves River Oaks Elementary school.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

My child is in their third year at the school. It has a fantastic after school program, supportive pto and parents, with ample security. The teachers are also caring. I have found that the school lacks support for children that may have a learning challenge/sensory disfunction, but is tested as GT. The school administration does not support testing for adhd or Dyslexia and is reluctant to administer testing. Our experience is that it is a hassle and seems like they don't want that statistic associated with them. The principal is not approachable and hides behind email and letters in communication instead of meeting in person. It has been a true disappointment. My child has been negatively affected and I am considering switching schools.
Submitted by other on September 14, 2013

I was a student in this school from kindergarten to fourth grade, but unfortunately I had to move to France.. It is the best school ever, with teachers who care. I will never forget this school and hope to come visit one day!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

This is our 3rd year with ROE. It was great on the first year as we feel the school cares and teachers were great. They pay much attention to each students and sending kids to tutor if any fall behind. However, our 2nd year was not well. Our teacher has a maturnity leave and we have a long term sub, then short term sub and daily sub... After 7 or 8 sub teachers in 2 months, my child really have done nothing. When she asks a question to the sub teacher, she/he has no idea where things are and the question was ignored. These sub teacher really has no interest to teach, rather just pass the day and turn the ball to the next. I would like to see a school putting student's benefit the first and being a parent, it's just sad to see how things falling apart from one year to another. This year, we have a new teacher and we'll see how it goes.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2013

The school is a gem among HISD. The current administrative team leaves much to be desired (especially given prior principal who was wonderful), but the teachers are excellent, the parents super involved in a good way, and the kids just plain smart. Great school, but you may bang your head in frustration at times.
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2013

River Oaks Elementary School is the BEST elementary school in the city. My older children went to private schools and I can tell you without a doubt that my child at ROE has had a better education. The teachers are the best, the parents are involved, and the children are kind to one another. If I had to do it all over again, all of my children would have attended ROE.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2012

Both my children are in the Vanguard Magnet; this school is wonderful. The teachers are nurturing and caring, the staff is very disciplined and structured, the PTO is the most involved you'll find anywhere, the cultural mix is ideal and the IB profile forms the children for tomorrow. They learn how to apply their learnings to the real world and to become caring, inquisitive, responsible. Very high academic standards. High number of students move on to St. John's School.