Smith Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696

Being a part of this school for many years with my child attending, I will say the past couple have been more challenging with the principal. We went from a very loving, professional principal who cared about students and families to one who is more worried about paperwork and administrative duties. She does not interact with students like the previous and has very poor social skills when it comes to parents and community. She surrounds herself with her circle of staff and parents and others are ignored and not treated with the respect and compassion as those close with her. She has zero interest in the larger picture of schools (social aspects). Under her leadership we have lost quality staff which hurts the school culture and morale but to her its ok I think as she replaces with her friends or those who will take her lack of kid friendly approach. There is plenty of nepotism at Cherry Knoll these days. I do think that she would make a good high school or college administrator but elementary students need love, teaching social AND academics and understanding. Cherry Knoll would do better under new administration and Dr. Victoria Derks needs to find a new school in my opinion. Cherry Knoll is not a school for someone with no personality or family culture. The school would benefit from a new principal so it can thrive again. Dr. Derks is destroying our school every day she is there.