AB Harrison Intermediate School

1001 South Ballard Avenue

School District

Wylie Independent
Grade

5-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Wylie 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 January 27, 2025

As a angry parent, This was by far the worst schools my child went to, here's why. They have an unbearable dress code, collared shirts are a MUST, if they see you with a T-shirt, RUN! They also have bad lunch service. Sometimes the line HAS to wait a LOT of time, and I mean A LOT, that it's already time for recess. They have nice but hostile teachers. If they see you draw, they get all hostile and stuff, and Harrison Intermediate doesn't even try to make its school fun at all, all of the fun you had in elementary school, is drained by unreasonable amount of homework. As my conclusion, I do NOT recommend Ab Harrison Intermediate. Do NOT step foot near Wylie if you have a kid that's school-aged.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2023

it is Greta school ,we highly recommended.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2019

My daughter has thrived at Harrison. The teachers and administration are awesome.
Submitted by teacher on July 29, 2018

Great teachers, great administration. Students are respectful.
Submitted by teacher on April 10, 2018

After completing my first year at Harrison (and Wylie ISD) after 8 years of teaching in another nearby district, I can honestly say that the teachers and administration are doing an excellent job here. As a whole, students are very respectful, hard working, and responsive to challenges and advancing their learning. They achieve at high levels and enjoy being at school. It's all because of the emphasis on relationships and the Wylie Way. Parents are also a vital component in the success of the students. I have been impressed with their level of involvement and how the administration welcomes them as key stakeholders in the complete education of their children. Students here have a bright future because it's not just about teaching them what they need to know to do well on tests. It's about preparing them to do well in life as they discover who they are, what their passions are, and how to make their dreams become a reality. In short, we are producing good people who are going to be difference makers in our world! At Harrison, it truly is all about the kids!
Submitted by teacher on March 22, 2018

Harrison is different from other schools. Not only is it a school, it's a community. Seeing the student growth and continuous out pour of support from teachers, parents, and all staff is quite a sight. Harrison doesn't only teach students, but creates independent well rounded students who care about others.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2018

I am very satisfied with Harrison. My daughter has Dyslexia, and they have been very effective in assisting her with her progress. I feel confident that the teachers care about my child, and we enjoy all of the programs that the staff and PTA put on for the kids.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2018

The administration at Harrison has made a huge improvement over the course of a couple of years. Being a transition school is tough, but the teachers and staff here make strides in bridging the gap between elementary and secondary. It's wonderful to walk into a school and the principle knows not only your name, but all the students names as well. Harrison Intermediate is just getting better and better and I'm proud both my boys have/do go there.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2018

I have had two children attend this school and it is a fabulous environment! Top-notch teachers and administration, campus improvements and the WISD standard of character and education are all evident at Harrison. Highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2018

Love it! It is by far the best school that my daughter has ever gone to. We are new to Wylie and love the caring teachers and staff!! The go above and beyond to ensure that every student has someone to talk to, mentor them, and support them in every way possible! Couldn't ask for a better school!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

Very Poor. Let me not continue to bash them, however. I will instead say what I like and you can assume that what I don’t mention is terrible. There are several great teachers that I love. The school counselor is awesome. The only problem with her is that she is overworked and needs help from the administration. As the previous commenter pointed out, the school feels like a prison. The other three schools my children have attended have been at least ten times better in every way. I think that with a complete leadership overhaul, this school could be just as good as the rest of WISD.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2017

Overall I agree with most of the negative reviews. Out of all the schools in the district of my address and I've had a child in each, this one is by far the worst. Not much has changed over the years if you read the reviews. The current principal has no idea how to handle situations with parents, I'm not sure how she got that job. She is cold and uncaring or just lacks completely social skills. They are more focused on how they look then what's actually going on with a student. It is run in a very military like style or a prison, take your pick. Students can not eat lunch with their friends and my daughter has developed high anxiety over the past two years. Some of the staff like the teachers and the counselors put in the extra effort but overall it does not make it worth it. I am so happy to know I only have to have a child here for one more year.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2017

Harrison has been helpful this year helping my child get tutoring help. There has been good communication between teachers, the principal and myself. Very open door policy.
Submitted by teacher on November 11, 2017

Very positive. The students are great, the staff is wonderful and it’s a great place to send your child.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

This school has a very strange, military-like structure. Kids are never allowed to sit where they want or with people they like - not even in the cafeteria. Boys and girls are usually kept separate of each-other. They only allow kids 15 minutes of recess. Strict dress code. Seems like a very anti-social school. They're constantly taking unit tests and testing for the test, or studying for the test.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2015

My youngest child is a current student at this school. It is every bit as pathetic as many of the other reviews indicate. I wholeheartedly agree with comments in one of the reviews regarding their so-called 'trust card' system. This is really the ONLY discipline tool in their chest. My child was SO excited on the first day of school, 5th grade. By the end of the first week, all the excitement was gone, and all that was left was a great dread of having to go to 'that school'. Forget about transferring to another intermediate school within the Wylie District - the school administrators REFUSE to allow transfers from Harrison, at the very same time they REFUSE to deal with the big mess at that school. My personal opinion......because this is the only school in the district with an administrator of color, they are desperate to keep this person to show diversity among their administrators, and thus this 'principal' gets a free pass. The only way to fix the school, is to begin by replacing both the principal and the assistant principal.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2014

We have been thrilled with Harrison. Having moved twice with my husband's company I have looked to Great Schools for information time and again, but I would say that this school rates higher than an "8." As another parent mentioned, the teachers at Harrison are extremely dedicated and available to the students. I find my son coming home and discussing what he has learned in class - even in the subjects he normally thinks are boring. These dedicated teachers are making it interesting. The Principal seems very impressive and caring. I appreciate "College Thursday" where collegiate-wear may be worn in place of the normal uniform - keeps the future goal of university study in view. I have also been impressed with Wylie ISD. The Superintendent is a force for these kids and keeps the district on the cutting edge as seen with the STEM programs. The district emphasis on the "Wylie Way" encourages character and respect and these traits are kept at the forefront for the kids. We couldn't be more pleased with how our son is thriving at Harrison and in Wylie ISD.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

Awesome school. Phenomenal teachers and Principals! The students scores speak for themselves. The teachers at this school stay early and late for tutoring. This is by their own choice.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

Let me just say that I feel a deep admiration and respect for the exceptional teachers, brilliant principals and such hands on administrators . We have been truly blessed by these amazing people who love what they do and challenge our students. The drive, energy, enthusiasm and openness is parallel to no other. I have also been blessed to be on the PTA and actually see these leaders in action. Its impossible to make everyone happy But, Harrison is the best school we have attended. If you take the time to look at the actual test scores, you will find that this school excels on many levels especially academically. As far as the comment about the GT program, this particular teacher is a brilliant and extremely dedicated to her job. Christin :)
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2012

Not a great school at all. The easiest way to describe this school would be militant and uncaring. Harrison uses a trust card system, which is essentially a require name badge for the students. The principal and staff would tell you it's a privilege-based system, giving students special privileges for wearing them. It's actually a tool for organized teacher bullying. Students are punished by getting their cards removed. Kids without cards, either because they were taken away or because they left them at home, are forced to sit at lunch in desks facing a concrete wall. With a few exceptions, teachers are rude and uncaring for students and parents alike. Parental concerns are never addressed...in fact they are often mocked. If you have it within your ability to avoid this school, please consider doing so. My child said it best when the conversation of bullying came up a while back. When discussing what to do when a student bullies you, my student said, "But the teachers are the bullies, what do I do about that?"