7395 Murphy Ln, Smithville, MO 64089

The school and most of the staff are wonderful, with a few serious exceptions. One 1st grade teacher is overbearing, short, and rude to her students. After serving as the summer school principal, she seems to be on an authority high and treats children harshly. There are also major concerns with the students-with-disabilities classroom. The teachers in that room frequently play around, chase each other, and spray one another with a water bottle. At times, they even spray the students, which feels more like trying to train animals than caring for children. The school is far too small for the number of students it serves. Every usable space in the building is full. In an effort to lower class sizes, additional teachers were added, which only worsened the space problem. Some student support educators have been teaching from carts in the hallways, and educators who provided interventions for struggling students were let go simply because there was no adequate space for them to work. This in particular was truly a tremendous loss for the school. In all honesty, the building needs to be expanded. There is a need for a larger health room, a bigger library, more classroom space, and additional common areas. The roof still leaks even after extensive repairs, the technology does not work consistently throughout the building, and the storm shelter areas are not sufficient. These conditions make it difficult for the school to properly support students and staff. Bullying is another major issue. Students who bully others are only mildly reprimanded, and the administration rarely takes meaningful action. The principal shows favoritism toward higher-income families, certain staff, and students in sports such as football and cheerleading, who are treated more leniently.While the school does not have widespread behavioral problems, it is deeply concerning when a student can repeatedly bully, fight, and disrupt class without real consequences. Simply sitting in the front office is not enough. Overall, these issues create an environment that feels unsafe, unfair, and inconsistent. Until there is a change in administration or the District enforces clear, equitable standards, the school cannot fully provide the supportive learning environment every child deserves. However, it still is the best overall elementary school in the district.