Sundew
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

My son had a knife pulled out on him by another student. The principal Amanda Rassi protected the other student because the parents were friends and affluent people in the community. My son struggles with his grades and emotions, while the other kid got to go back to lacrosse like nothing happen, while still intimidating my child. Chagrin is not a place that accepts different nationalities or cultures. The only way your kid will do well in this district is if they are white and you have money.

We have been impressed. We moved into the school district and both our children quickly found their way into friend groups. We like the feeling that at Chagrin it is "cool" to be a smart kid. I think this pushes kids to work hard to achieve their best while still giving them plenty of time to be kids.

We love this school! The teachers are amazing, the building is beautiful, and all the opportunities the kids have to connect with the town are wonderful! The school is a great place to be. My kids have loved the freedom they have here after coming from Gurney.

Chagrin Falls thinks very highly of their schools, but the truth is that their academic performance in no way "bends the curve" regarding the underlying demographics. A multivariate regression with independent variables of the parents' affluence, education, and family structures would predict school scores this high or higher. When factoring in the relatively high per-pupil spending, the district might actually be labeled as under performing. Perhaps the biggest concern is cultural. Don't let the small town fool you... this is not a Midwest town holding fast to traditional values. Gurney has become fiercely anti-Christian. We attended multiple Holiday Concerts where our children sang songs about Kwanza and Hanukkah, but where all Christmas songs were modified to remove "Christ", in one case actually being replaced with the glorification of recycling. (All beliefs treated with respect... except one). More recently, the administration imposed a ban on the use of the words "boy" and "girl," and affixed rainbows to student desks. One wonders how they will go about teaching genetics and anatomy if they refuse to acknowledge the science of biology. A growing number of Christian employees have left the district, including one wonderful teacher with more than 30 years of tenure. Consider Chagrin if you are a coastal-style liberal progressive. If you are a Christian and/or conservative, you'd be wise to look at other districts in Summit and Geauga Counties.