Calico Ridge

I cannot express enough how awful this elementary school has been for families. Communication from the administration is nonexistent. Parents are left completely in the dark, with decisions made behind the scenes in a sneaky and exclusionary way. Even state-funded programs are not communicated properly, and when they are run, they are not implemented as they should be.The office staff is another major issue. They are rude, condescending, and dismissive. Parents entering the office are met with rolled eyes, unfriendly tones, or outright silence instead of basic courtesy. The entire atmosphere is unwelcoming at best and hostile at worst. I’m disappointed and disgusted with how this school is run. Other schools operate with transparency and compassion. They value students, parents, and families, and they prioritize relationships and community. This school does the exact opposite.The only bright spot is a handful of teachers—maybe five—who are truly exceptional and dedicated to their students. They are the only ones who seem to genuinely care. But even this is undermined by administration. Children who build strong relationships with these teachers are then told they are not allowed to see or even greet them once they move on to another grade. That is not only unnecessary but also heartbreaking and deeply discouraging for students.The principal continues to run the school as though it is still under COVID restrictions. Families are unwelcome, parents are excluded, and communication is deliberately withheld. The unspoken rule seems to be: drop your children off, don’t ask questions, and accept knowing nothing about their day-to-day experience.This lack of family involvement and transparency makes the school feel less like a supportive place of learning and more like a jail. Parents are expected to entrust their children daily without reassurance that they are in an open, nurturing environment. To make matters worse, it is late September—well over a month into the school year—and families have still not received a single communication from the principal. No “welcome back,” no updates, not even a simple acknowledgment that the school year has started. The silence speaks volumes about the lack of leadership.For a place that should build community and foster growth, this school fails on nearly every level—except for the handful of teachers who remain dedicated to doing their jobs with integrity and heart. Students and families deserve so much better.