Birdville ISD Elementary Schools

I also have 2 girls and we are zoned for Birdville ISD. My girls go to Grace E. Hardeman Elementary and we are very pleased. (and that's saying a lot since I am very picky about education)
My older daughter is in the gifted and talented program(GT) and my younger daughter in Kindergarten was just tested and approved to be placed in the GT program as well. (we didn't even ask them to test her! how awesome is that?!?!)
Don't know if you can request again and have Hardeman added to the approved schools.
Unfortunately, I don't have any information re: the schools you listed.
Hope this was helpful and Good Luck!
S.

My daughter attended Smithfield Elementary. Due to a zoning issue, she was unable to continue her elementary school (WA Porter). We were not unhappy with the school for the most part. That said, I have heard great things about Walker Creek. It definitely has all the newest and latest equipment.

Good luck to you!

A.,
I have a 10 year old step son that has attended Smithfeild since Kindergarten. Both his mom & step dad and my husband & I have been very happy with the school. They have taken the extra time to assist him when he needs it. The teachers are very helpful. I do not have anything negative to tell you about Smithfeild. Good luck in making your choice.
S.

My daughter goes to north ridge and it's wonderful. Check out www.greatschools.net to compare.

Hi A.! I answered another inquiry similiar to yours last week about a different school district! Here is a website that you can go to: www.tea.state.tx.us from there you can search the "rating system" of each school you are looking at considering.

I am a real estate agent in the area and I can't give you the information but I can tell you where to go find it yourself! I try to be helpful to those in my community!

My mother worked for the school district for years and I understand the importance of finding a good school for our kids!

If I can ever be of any assistance to you in the future with any real estate needs... just let me know! I would love to be of assistance to you.

S. Wells
Century 21
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Hi A.. I have 2 girls who are in BISD. They both attended W.A Porter elementary, but 2 yrs. ago they split the district and many were sent to Walker Creek. There are some great families that go there. I also think they have a MOMS IN TOUCH group there. This is a prayer group that meets weekly to pray for the kids and staff at the school. I've led a group at Porter before. Hope this helps you. Lecretia

A.-
I used to work in BISD as an OT for 7 years before I became a stay-at-home mom. I have worked in almost every elem. school they have. Walker Creek opened after I left, so I would guess it would be good based on it being new, however, some of the older schools have some very seasoned teachers which can be a blessing, too. Smithfield has a good reputation as well.
My daughter is also going to K next year here in our community, and we, too, have spent may months in prayer about it. As a Christian mom, I think it is important to trust that God will work in your child's life no matter who is their teacher or what school they attend. I often think my fear of the unknown intereferes with letting God do his job....not trusting He knows what he is doing. With you involved and in prayer, your daughter will do great no matter where she goes!! And, I bet you will be surprised by how many Christian teachers are at work in ALL schools.....when I worked in the district, my favorite schools to work in were considered "the worst" socioeconomically....but I felt I made a big difference there and I was not alone.....the teachers there also felt the same way. Some of the most passionate and dedicated teachers can be found in schools not considered "the best". Lift it up to the Lord....whatever decision you make, He will be there to support you!!

Hello. I'm a mother of three boys- a 13 yr and 11 yr old twins. I pulled my boys out of public school three yrs agot to homeschoole them. My husband and I know this is what the Lord wnats us to d. I just wanted to ask you have you though of homeschooling? I know homeschooling is not for everyone, but the state of TX is the best state for homeschoolers and yu could probaby do it without much problem because of yur wokr situation. Just pray abut it and see what the Lord leads you both to do. I know is not easy but the Lord will guide yu through the process. There is a homeschool fair comming up that yu may want to check it out and see all the curriculm options. It will give yu a clearer idea. Praying for you,
A.-Ann

Walker Creek is awesome! I have some dear friends, that I used to teach with, that work there. I highly recommend it. Good luck!

I worked in BISD for 8 years (Snow Heights). Holiday Heights did have a good program and I think Walker Creek is excellent. I might hold back on Smithfield, but they really aren't bad. Birdville schools are truly some of the best in the area. The only one I wouldn't send my kid to is Richland Elementary. You can request a meeting/ tour of each school. That might help ease your mind. Look for teachers who are interacting with the class, classes that have noise but not chaos, and hallways with sample work from the kids.

Hi A.,

I used to work with alot of the teachers and principal at Walker Creek. I think your daughter would do well in that school. They are all devoted to teaching the children and do well on the mandatory tests that the state requires (TAKS) or any other test that will eventually come along. I am not familiar with the other schools but Walker Creek is newer and the expectations from the principal is high for both staff and students. Good luck.

C.

All three of my children went to Holiday Heights. The teachers there are all exceptional, in all grades. All of my childen have made commendable on every TAKS test and all went on to be in PRE-AP classes for every subject in Junior high. The teachers and staff are all very caring and truly care about the children.

I would recommend Walker Creek. We were in the Birdville district several years ago, and some of my daughter's teachers are at Walker Creek now (and they were wonderful). One is a first grade teacher and the other teaches third grade. I still keep in contact with them, and they really enjoy teaching there. The school itself is very nice and much newer than the other schools mentioned. Several of my friends have kiddos that attend Walker Creek, and they love it. Hope this helps!

My older children went to Smithfield elementary and it was fine. They had some GREAT teachers and some awful ones, but I think you will find that at any school. I like the fact that it is not a huge school. My younger children don't go there, they are home schooled. NOT because I didn't like the school but just because I felt home schooling was a better option for our family. I have also heard great things about Walker Creek. I do know that Walker Creek leads the district in top of the line equipment and materials. Their music room has a stage! Not just the auditorium, but the actual practice room! An old client of mine taught music there (not sure if she still does) and she was able to order pretty much what she wanted. They had several guitars and many other instruments. I know they have the best technology as well. It is a new school so they built it with all these changes in mind.

By the way, my older two girls also attended Holiday Heights for a few years and we actually really liked it. Now that was a long time ago. My oldest was in 3rd and 4th grade at the time and she is graduating this year. Not sure if things have changed but at the time we were very happy with the school.

Sorry I got so long winded!! I know how difficult the decision of how and where to educate your child can be! I just applaud you for looking into all of your options and seeking out the best thing for your kids.

by His grace,
S.

My son went 6 years to Holiday Heights (K-5). My family was and is part of the shrinking middle class as well. So, I understand where you are coming from as far as finances. I originally wanted my son to go to Fort Worth Christian, but could not afford it, nor did we qualify for financial aide. I am glad we didn't go that route. My son has far surpassed our hopes and expectations for him in school. He is in the top 15% of his class.

BISD strives for every campus to reach Recognized or Exemplary status as a result of TAKS scores. Holiday Heights is a Recognized Campus. For many years, including the time my son attended, it was an Exemplary Campus. As for the test scores you saw, you must understand that the scores are not low because of the instruction. Mrs. Solley is very particular about who she hires to teach her students.

Please don't take this the wrong way, unfortunately, there are many students in BISD whose parents do not speak English. These kids only speak English at school and the parents can not (due to not speaking English) work with them at home. There are also those parents who just WON'T work with their kids. It is a very sad thing.......

Yes, Walker Creek, an Exemplary Campus and Smithfield, which is a Recognized Campus (the same as HHE), are good schools, but they also have parents who can and will take the time to work with their kids. BTW, both feed into Smithfield Middle, which is rated an Academically Acceptable Campus.

Alot of schools have gotten lower test scores lately. Don't pass on HHE only because of test scores. Common sense tells us that if the child has no support at home (ie, parents can't or won't work with the child), how can they be expected to do well at school? There are exceptions, I promise. I was a substitute teacher for 4 1/2 years and am now a teacher's aide in a nearby school, and I see it. But, for the most part, the kids need to be able to practice the skills at home as well and many are not getting that extra practice. The teachers cannot be the only ones responsible for the children's education. Parents need to be involved too.

Holiday Heights was, and still is a fine school. Out of all of those who are attending or have graduated from Richland, and I cannot begin to count, many former Holiday Heights students were and are in the top 10% of their class. In fact, some are in the top 10, not 10%, TOP 10. (Each class has about 550-600 kids). Please, don't write off Holiday Heights. It is a very good school and I could refer you to countless other parents who feel the same way.

You are obviously a mother who is deeply involved in her children's lives. Don't ever stop. The world needs more parents like you!

Good luck and God bless! :)

I don't have children that attend either of the 3 schools. However, I have great things about Walker Creek.. My children go to Foster Village. I love it the teachers are amazing as well as the staff. They go above and beyound for the kids. Good luck.