58 Three Corners Rd
Guilford, CT 06437

5th grade 2021-2022 has been a complete nightmare. I have a special needs child with an IEP. There are 6 or so different teachers that my child has to interact with everyday.Each teacher honors/Administers his IEP at their discretion, which is confusing for my child and highly problematic. Additionally teachers make mean spirited comments to my child when he is struggling with an assignment. Today's example came from para that refused to assist my child w a math problem and then scolded my child when they saw that he hadn't completed the problem by saying ," i am disappointed in you. You had better speak to Mr.Mathteacher or you'll be doing it for homework." The para's tone was not kind or supportive. Its been like this the ENTIRE year. Ive reported each incident to the administration with no resolution. As a result of their mismanagement of my child's IEP and the staffs over all low emotional intelligence, my child has suffered both academically and social-emotionally. Shame has NO place in the class room. There is no other 5th grade in the town we live in.

Love the open door feel and encouragement for family involvement. Principal Agostine is WONDERFUL and our son is happy and receiving a spectacular education from AW Cox. My only complaint would maybe be with the library- some of the books brought home in kindergarten and first grade included stories involving suicide and spousal abuse that (even in passing) are probably not necessary for elementary aged children: the "learning moments" for those topics are perhaps better approached at a more mature age.

Schools are supposed to be good and not hell

I honestly have never had much good to say about my child’s public school experiences in other districts. However, we have been impressed by Guilford High School. Our child has had amazing teachers — some that have provided not only a subject matter expertise, but also self confidence, and support that was very helpful. We had situations where we had to work with administrators and were also impressed by their thoughtfulness and caring. We were new in Guilford and it makes navigating things a bit more difficult than if we’d spent a lifetime here. I do think that kids can get lost when they don’t have an elementary school history in the district. However, after conversations with the administrators at GHS, our child was able to take advanced math classes, and other college-level courses (IB/AP). While I wish it had not taken us pulling out test scores or advocating for our child, it all worked out well. I think the guidance department is swamped and you need to read, be knowledgeable, and push for what your kid needs in order to fill out the eventual college applications. If you have the means, I’d suggest tapping into outside private paid counselors to double check a child’s trajectory early in their high school career (or attend their free online lectures). My child received some valuable advice outside of GHS counseling that ultimately made the difference in getting admitted to certain colleges. I wish they could have learned these things from the counseling office instead. I think the college admissions experience would have been challenging without the outside guidance. Overall, no regrets — our best public school experience ever.