Echo St NE
Canton, OH 44721

Horrible led by Brent May school is going in the drain these kids are around violence daily principles are horrible

I gained guardianship of my niece two years ago. I pulled her from Canton City, where she was failing and had failed before. They were also ready to set her up with an IEP and I was told by the school's liaison that I was making a mistake for pulling her from CCSD. I enrolled her in Oakwood as a 7th grader at the start of the year and put out concerns over a potential learning disability or need for IEP. Oakwood's 7th grade teachers were all very responsive and took my concerns with sincerity. She has been an A/B student since she started at Oakwood. The teachers are engaging, relatable and honest with their students. They have made her education fun and an environment she WANTS to be in. She enjoys school for the first time in her life. Interestingly enough, no IEP necessary. No concern or question about her ability to learn at peer level. She has had the same experience in 8th grade now as well. Her teachers are amazing, the work is fair and manageable. Her teachers again this year, always available for extra help when needed and they give their students fun ways to really absorb what they're learning. I truly cannot speak highly enough of the staff at Oakwood. As far as safety goes, I believe every school has its' problems with violence in one way or another. The issues that we have seen arise at Oakwood are handled promptly and with the severity and seriousness required. I think every parent or guardian worries about their child's safety in school in this day and age. I do feel confident in Oakwood's ability to identify and process threats to their student body.

Overall I feel the education my child has received is excellent. I absolutely loved 5th grade teachers (enriched) and the 6th grade are fine too. I do not like how they have changed how enriched worked from 5th to 6th grade. This year is much easier for my child because the teachers,are not dedicated enriched. They are required to teach on level and enriched and I think they do not bother to challenge the enriched. The principal is another matter. He is liked by the students because he acts like one of them. He obviously relates to them. He is not capable of relating to the parents. He gets very defensive if you ask why something is being done a certain way. When he talks to you he does so in circles and by the end you have less information than you did before. I would probably give the school a 4 if not for the principal.

The teachers in each grade are all amazing. Mrs. Downing, the Principal is great with the kids, the parents and I assume her staff. I am sad my daughter is in 4th grade and has to leave next year!