2012 Baldwin Way, Bolingbrook, IL 60490

I wish I could write the same review of Builta Elementary that I would have written years ago, but unfortunately, Builta is not what it used to be.My biggest concern is with the way special education and student services are handled. As a parent, I have experienced a pattern that I find extremely troubling: students who have documented learning needs receive special education services, begin making progress, and are then determined to no longer need those services. Yet somehow, by middle school, significant concerns surface again and those same students require special education support.When this happens more than once, parents have every right to question whether students were truly ready to be dismissed from services in the first place.Parents should not have to fight to have concerns about learning disabilities, executive functioning, or other areas of need taken seriously. Progress while receiving specialized instruction does not necessarily mean a disability or need for support has disappeared. In my experience, concerns that were raised were minimized, only to become significant issues again later.I also have serious concerns about the leadership and decision-making within Student Services, as well as the effectiveness of Social Emotional Learning and building administration. Too often, it has felt as though parent concerns are something to explain away rather than something to genuinely investigate and address.There are wonderful teachers and staff members at Builta, and this review is not meant to diminish the people who work incredibly hard for students every day. My concern is with the systems, leadership, and practices surrounding students who need additional support.If your child has an IEP, a learning disability, executive-functioning concerns, or you suspect they may need additional services, I strongly encourage you to educate yourself on the special education process, ask for data, document your concerns, and do not be afraid to question decisions that do not feel right.Builta was once a school I had tremendous confidence in. Based on our family’s experience, I can no longer say that. I sincerely hope the district takes a close look at special education identification, dismissal from services, Student Services leadership, SEL, and building-level administration, because families and students deserve better.