Trafton Academy

4711 McDermed Drive

Houston, TX 77035

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 16, 2022

Both of my children received an excellent education here. They went to private high schools, where each excelled due to the preparation they received. This is a good "old fashion" school, which emphasizes grammar, reading, and math. I do not need fluff. I do not need fancy facilities requiring extra revenue to maintain. I needed both of my children to be PREPARED for high school (and beyond). Will your child have homework? Absolutely. Guess what, your child will have homework in high school (and college), so it was beneficial for my children to learn time management, organization and a work ethic. Thank you, Trafton!
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2022

Our child went to Trafton from 6th grade through 8th grade. The school taught grammar, Shakespeare, emphasized school reading, writing, note taking in middle school. He excelled at Trafton! Our son picked up the French horn as a 7th grader due to being inspired by his music teacher! He had a tough time at another private school prior and this school lifted him up by rewarding hard work and teaching respect for others. He graduated from middle school with many awards and the earned the Natl Honor Society. Then he went onto a public performing arts high school where he was totally prepared due to Trafton's after school study program and superior academics! He went on to Univ of Rochester, Eastman School of Music for University and graduated with honors in Classical Fr Horn Perfomance with a Minor in Political Science.. We are eternally grateful to Trafton and their amazing teachers!
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2022

Both of my children went to Trafton and took the honors track. Outstanding preparation for high school. Old school emphasis on things that mattered like grammar and writing. Loved that the Principal's office was always open to talk.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2021

Two of my three children left HISD and began attending Trafton Academy in second and fourth grade. When my son arrived at Trafton, he was shy, introverted and a good student, but was not previously challenged in school. He was not particularly athletic, but played on the Trafton tennis and squash teams. He joined the band (trumpet) and made great friends. He joined Student Council, Robotics, drew cartoons for the school paper and participated in several other extra curricular activities. Trafton's academics challenged him. As a result of his education and experiences at Trafton, he became more outgoing and organized. He also developed excellent study habits and received State Recognition on the PSAT he took while at Trafton. He was accepted to all the high schools where he applied and currently attends Strake Jesuit College Prep.My daughter made average grades before she moved to Trafton. She was also a little insecure and tended to be a "follower". Trafton's academics were more challenging, but the small class sizes and FANTASTIC, CARING teachers is EXACTLY what she needed! She also participated in band, Student Council, the school paper and sports. She began playing volleyball, basketball and tennis in Fifth grade and made good friends. She was exposed to Track and Field (discus/shot put) and choir. Six years later, my daughter is a very bright, organized, athletic, kind, confident and outgoing Honors student. The teachers and administration at Trafton Academy REALLY care about each and every student and encourage them to reach their potential. It is a jewel of a school!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2020

Good academics (better than public but not better than most selective private where some of my kids are) but kind of a skeleton crew of a school once you get outside of the core academics.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2020

Both my boys were accepted into multiple schools that were very competitive. They were prepared for high school and I think a little bit ahead of the game so to speak. No school is perfect. What is important is whether it is a perfect fit for your child. Trafton was for both our boys and both have made lasting friendships and were challenged academically. While Trafton may not be the best looking school in Houston, everything is put into the betterment of your child. I would highly recommend it. We most certainly had a positive experience.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2019

Started off good, and we handled it first year. Second year was a disaster. Teachers not effective. Office people trying to teach and did horrible in both jobs.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2018

Overall, this is a school that is driven by the administration and the teachers -- not the whims of uninformed parents and their children. Some people may not like this b/c it is more of an "old school" approach, but I've found it refreshing in an era of "student as customer" in private education. By sticking to its core values, Trafton has exceeded our expectations for our 6th grade child.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2016

Wow. Our experience couldn't be more different from the last reviewer. No school is perfect. I agree that some teachers could provide more feedback to parents. But overall, Trafton has been good for our kids, who have visibly thrived and become better students. Certainly true the school is not for every child. I don't have a problem with my child not making a sports team, and don't have a problem with the lack of a gym or auditorium. Nice to have but not essential. Good solid academics in general.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2016

This school is terrible and the principals are crazy they always think they are right and they think they know everything they also have a big ego they are terrible at solving problems and they should be sued for false advertising the school is underdeveloped and lacking necessary facilities such as a gym auditorium and cafeteria they make no aceptions and do not send your child to this school
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2016

My son is finishing 8th grade at Trafton and I can honestly say it has been the best experience he could have had for middle school. The academics are very strong across the board, and the school culture is warm, caring, and friendly. The education he received fully prepared him for the ISEE test, and I am confident that he is ready for high school because of the great education he has received. The teachers want the students to succeed, and are very available for assistance during breaks and study hall periods. The school was very supportive and helpful throughout the entire high school application process. We will miss Trafton next year!!
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2016

Very superficial teaching, and no critical thinking skills developed. Apart from the very average academics, school communicates very poorly with parents. There is also no room for a child who doesn't perfectly fit their mold. Tuition is cheap, but you get what you pay for.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2016

Competitive academics but poor communication between parents and faculty. Parents not treated as partners in the process. No quality foreign language program whatsoever.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2015

After a few years at this school, I can really say that we have been very happy with the education for our children. Academics is consistently good and my kids are happy and at home here. Teachers are strict in general but kind and supportive of differences among individual children. Suits those looking for the benefits of a small school community. Core subjects are seriously focused on. The only thing we would wish for is for foreign languages to be taught in the earlier grades. Excellent school!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2015

This is our first year at Trafton (4th grade) and we LOVE it. Trafton has been a wonderful place for my son to grow and try new things such as band and tennis. The teachers are very responsive and welcome parent involvement. We have met wonderful families and we are pleased of the friends that he hangs around with in/out of school. My son has excelled academically. We can from a HISD school where he did not use test books, so this was a learning curve for him to study from a book. The smaller classrooms allow him to be a big fish in a small pond. I think most children in the class feel that way too! I would encourage you to take a tour and let your child shadow for day. You will love all that Trafton has to offer.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2015

We have been at Trafton for many years and will be there for 5 more years when our youngest graduates 8th grade. Trafton has been a blessing for us because it is the perfect blend between public and private. Expectations are high at Trafton but all the teachers and staff are there to help you succeed. They want you to walk out of Trafton with confidence that you are ready for anything that might come your way in high school. The kids that don't succeed at Trafton are usually the children that don't like to follow the rules set out by someone else and feel they are above them and rules don't pertain to them. By the time you get to the higher grades, the work is challenging but every teacher prepares their curriculum in a way that every child can succeed if they put forth the effort. There will be no grades "given" at Trafton. Every grade is earned by the student. Trafton is the perfect school for those that want their child to become a well-adjusted, respectful and thoughtful person who is ready for the pressure that high school brings.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

I can not sing the praises of Trafton loudly enough! The teachers are caring and sweet and provide wonderful instruction and organizational skills that will follow the children long after they complete 8th grade. The students are well mannered and if there are any issues with the children, it is handled thoughtfully and swiftly. The school provides everything a student needs to succeed and wonderful avenues to communicate what is going on in class to the parents. My only complaint is that my child in second grade couldn't apply until this year! I can't wait to hopefully have 2 children in Trafton next year!
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2015

I've been a Trafton parent for 8 years & disagree with the Nov 21 post. Most Trafton teachers have at least ten years experience there & provide reliable continuity through the grade levels. They teach time management & organizational study skills that are age appropriate typically resulting in well prepared, confident students. Gradespeed & Renweb are accessible to parents & students to communicate grades & assignments. Behavioral issues are uncommon but dealt with fairly & swiftly. It's been a safe, warm, academically challenging school for my children.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

Our child went to Trafton for 6th grade. We were sold on the small class size, attention from the teachers to help learn better organizational skills and the nurturing environment. They did very well making honor roll every quarter. In 7th grade that all went away. Under the guise that students must be responsible for themselves, the assistance in continuing to learn organizational skills, the attention from the teachers, the nurturing environment goes away. These teachers would rather rely on a subpar app to tell you what homework is due. They don't communicate with parents - you will never receive an email if a test score is low. If you're sick, you get no assistance from any of the teachers to make sure you get all the missed homework. One of the problems is that they hire a lot of part time teachers. I also agree with whoever said that they don't discipline bad behavior. We have had issues with one student since the beginning of 6th grade and despite continued bullying and nasty behavior, they have failed to expel him, as their handbook clearly states they should. Either save your money or spend a little more at a school where you will get your money's worth
Submitted by other on September 06, 2014

I am a student here. The other kids are nice, my teacher is good. I don't get bullied. I like that it is a small school so I get to know other kids in other grades.