The Branch School

1424 Sherwood Forest Street

Houston, TX 77043

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 11, 2021

Our son started at The Branch School two weeks after we moved from CT to TX and 5 weeks before the pandemic shut everything down. He finished out his preschool year virtually with The Branch School. Being only 4 years old, he was nervous about going to a new school. The staff and educators were so inviting and focused on making him feel safe and secure. There were several times he would cry at drop off back in CT at his old school, but not once did he cry at TBS! He loves the attention he receives upon pulling up to the school (everyone knew his name and the often play music to get the kids excited for the day) in the morning and is always eager to head off everyday. He is now in Kindergarten at The Branch School and being half way through the year I cannot say enough good things about it. Not only have we witnessed tremendous academic growth, but he has also grown emotionally as well. We love the individual attention each child receives and all the hands on learning whether inside the classroom or in the outdoor classroom space. Going to school during a pandemic had us nervous, but the safety precautions TBS put into place have been superior. The entire community has done everything they can and more to make the children feel safe, welcome and loved during this trying time. Having interviewed at several private schools, we are so happy with the decision to send him to TBS and grateful for the education and experience he has received. The Branch School has set our son up for a very bright academic and social future.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2020

Very good. The school is a hidden gem.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2020

We love this school! is our 5th years here and my kids and I are extremely happy about this amazing place were kids learn and feel safe to be themselves and loved.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2019

Our experience at The Branch has been rewarding, positive, and we couldn’t be happier to have our children at this loving school, It is a great fit for us.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2019

We’ve had an overall very positive experience at this school.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2018

I pulled my daughter out of this school last year and placed her in public and I'm so glad I did, she is now confident in math and reading and doing very well. The Branch School failed us with their academics, however, they are great babysitters. Most staff are sweet and the classes were small and intimate.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2018

The Branch School creates an inclusive and nurturing environment for young minds to grow. The school has a strong focus on academics, with particular attention paid to basic learning skills, and growing strength in STEAM activities. The school also has some special periods that you don't find in other learning environments, such as the outdoor classroom. There are periods for exercise with the Coach through the week, and also plenty of breaks in the yard for the students. The school also offers language classes, music and other special periods. There are after school activities available, such as fitness classes and engineering classes. We hope that a greater variety will be available in the coming year. Students with certain special needs may be catered too, but not all young ones will be compatible with this schools policies and environment. The school does have a low tolerance for issues that impact the learning of others such as bullying, and will work with counseling both the students and the parents of those involved when incidents occur. Overall our experience with this school has been incredibly positive both for academics and character growth, and we would strongly recommend the establishment.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2018

We went to this school and the experience was OK. But were missing on extracurricular activities and thats why we made a move to a different school.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2018

I had a bad experience at this school.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

I can’t speak highly enough of this school. I love it and my children have flourished here. The staff and teachers are committed dedicated and visibly work toward an academically challenging environment combined with a. While child focus that creates an atmosphere of respect, caring, empathy and nurture for all. All parents and students are treated as equals and fairly here.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2018

The teachers and staff work hard to deliver engaging and challenging academics and to create a respectful, peaceful, and safe learning environment. School and classroom rules and consequences are designed to help students be responsible citizens both in the school and greater community. The school tries to be as fair as possible to all students.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2018

Excellent. My children have blossomed here despite some real challenges in the transition here. The nurturing and attention they have received is far beyond what we experienced at previous schools. They are very prepared for high school academically and socially and have a real sense of who they are and their self worth combined with a respect and acceptance of others and their differences. As a professional I tend to be picky so I don’t recommend things lightly , but I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2018

This school is good for perfect kids. But if your child isn't perfect, this is not the place for you. They preach empathy constantly. They talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. They are all about respect, but not when it comes to the kids. There is an administrator here, that literally pulls kids out of class to get dirt on the other kids. There is a bully at this school, and it's the administration, and the head of school constantly protects her at the expense of the child. Many parents have complained, but nothing ever gets done.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2016

My son has absolutely thrived at The Branch School this past year and we could not be happier that we choose this school. The Branch School focuses on the overall education of a child, nurturing their emotional and mental development as well as a having a strong academic STEAM education. My son is engaged, happy, excited, and comes home eager to tell us all about the things he is learning. He is a very energetic child and is not seen as a nuisance in the classroom. In fact he has ample opportunity to use his extra energy outside with 2 recesses and PE every day and inside the classroom has access to fidget toys and can move around as needed. In addition to traditional enrichment classes, like art, music, and PE there is also outdoor class, peacekeeping, technology (computers and coding), Spanish, library, reading buddies, and (until kindergarten) play centers. The school is incredibly diverse and welcoming with an active and inclusive parent body. The Branch School is truly a special place and our son is receiving a fabulous education.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2015

Our son and daughter (twins) have attended the Branch School since kindergarten and we are truly blessed to have found this school. We did a tremendous amount of research and toured/interviewed parents, teachers and administrators at four other elite private schools as well as one magnet school in Houston and Branch stood out head and shoulders above the rest for our family. Our kiddos learn Christian values (through Peace Making class vs a religion class or chapel) which is perfect for us as we take great care in the spiritual education of our children through our church and in our home so didn’t want to have to unteach a denominationally focused religious curriculum. Our son and daughter are extremely bright and we were drawn to the differentiated and project based learning focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and going into our third year at Branch I can say without a doubt that it is not just lip service. They are both pushed and challenged but not with busy work. When my daughter at 6yrs old came home saying “Mommy I had grace and grit today because I did not quit and math was tough!” I could do nothing but smile. The cool thing is that somehow their teachers have been able to identify their strengths and weaknesses and appropriately push their strengths while working to bridge their weaknesses without discouraging them. Both our children are learning not only how to excel academics but also how to be leaders and make a difference while respecting themselves, others and the environment. The weekly outdoor classroom is amazing and has allowed them to explore and push the limits on their understanding of science and math in their surroundings. A huge plus that we didn’t realize upon starting at Branch is the diverse international student body. Our kiddos have been exposed to so many cultures and languages which has been fantastic and in our global economy a must. The accessibility of the teachers and the administration (including the head of the school) is much appreciated as well. No school is perfect and any issue/concern/question we have ever had was addressed and remedied very quickly. We know our children are loved and safe. Our money is very well spent at The Branch School and we plan on being here for a long while.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2015

We visited The Branch School when our daughter was only one year old and immediately knew this would be the place she would attend when she turned three. There are not enough words to describe how much we love this school and the teachers. The school's vision, curriculum, and nurturing environment makes you feel at peace when leaving your kids for the day. It's a small school and the Administration staff gets to know you and your family personally. They treat your kids with so much love and they feel very welcomed. Our daughter has learned so much and is far beyond her grade level. The Branch School is highly rated and recommended by many. It is by far the best private school in West Houston to say the least. We are truly blessed to be part of The Branch family and encourage anyone looking for a nurturing, safe, and excellent academic curriculum - to try this school!! Thank you Mrs. Machado's & Mrs. Griffin!
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2014

This is our first year at The Branch. I was looking for a place that was nurturing and placed value on moral responsibility and kindness. I am fortunate to have a child that would likely learn easily in a variety of environments, so my highest priority was emotional safety and growth. We have definitely found this here! The kindergarten teacher is absolutely one of the best teachers I have ever encountered! Every child in that classroom feels valued and cared about by her. I love the low student-teacher ratios; the kids get a lot of attention and individualized focus. The administration and Head of school seem very dedicated to creating a school community that is an extension of the family. I had a very hard time letting go after staying home with my daughter for 5 years, and yet I feel completely relaxed and grateful that she is there during the day.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2014

Mixed feelings about this school. My and my sister's child both went/go here. Our quiet, shy, eager-to-please child gets a lot out of it: The teachers are nurturing and do not force her to be forward or attract attention, which was exactly what we needed since we were coming out of a divorce at the start. The academic level is on target with the better school districts such as Katy or Spring Branch and the homespun atmosphere keeps her from being overwhelmed. There is a little too much focus on money, but then it is a private school. However, my sister's confident, independent (younger) son had a very hard time. He was regularly punished for little-boy things such as being fidgety or questioning the teacher, and his playful, though annoying, behavior such a tickling or horsing around, was often reported as dangerously aggressive. He was told that he was a bad child and started referring to himself this way outside of school. He often came home upset. The admin told his parents that they should make an effort to see how the other parents did things and Dad should not roughhouse with him. This school is great if your child is, like ours, the quiet type. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2014

This school is AMAZING, two of my boys are attending the branch school for the 2nd year now and we Love it, my boys are very excited every day to go to school, the teachers are loving and caring with the kids, parents are very friendly and polite there just lots of love in this school. We are BLESS
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

The Kindergarten program is fantastic. My son is being enriched academically and socially. The teacher is exactly the type of person you want to guide your child through this grade. She seems to value every single child and has a heart of gold. She understands the need to balance the priorities of modern families with learning in the home. The classroom presents challenges for those who need it and support for those who need it. I am so thankful to have a place at The Branch School.