7705 Ridgemont Dr
Urbandale, IA 50322

TERRIBLE School. When we first moved to Urbandale, we did a lot of research to determine where we wanted to live. Since having the new Principal, we have started looking at new places to live. The district won't let you move to a different school unless you are outside of the district. I know several families who have open enrolled their kids in outside districts to get away from the principal and the school. I would NOT recommend going here. The principal says she cares for the students but then her actions does not show it. My one student has no idea who she is, and my daughter says she makes her feel uncomfortable. If you don't mind having your kids get hurt constantly without admin caring, then this is the school for you! My son is constantly getting hurt at school by other students and there is no urgency or care for staff that it keeps happening. We have had to start advising our kids to defend themselves when they are getting hurt, since the principal has made no effort to help. I moved into a house I absolutely love and now have to move for the safety of my children both emotionally and physically. This is the first time this principal has been in this position, and you can tell. She was interim last year, this year she has tried to cancel passing out friendship cards, stopped allowing desserts in the classroom for parties, I heard she has restricted what the PTO is allowed to do for staff, has tried to dictate where parents can park. I honestly am not sure I would recommend the school district as the super intendant is always late to get information out, there was an active shooter in another district and one school (outside the district) sent an email right away of what they were doing right now, ours waited almost 4 hrs. later and only had info about what they are planning on doing. As a parent, I don't necessarily care what's being done in the future at that time, I care more about what's being done now. Oh and you won't find out if police are in the school unless your student tells you. The staff seem great. Although, another parent told me that they had to request a doctor's note in order for their students to go to the nurse and bathroom, and when asked the principal why, they were advised that the student has to ask several times before they will let them go, well as a elementary student, they may not know to ask again and may just assume the answer is no and it wont change. Absolutely terrible school!

First American Bank has a school bank at Rolling Green. Gr. 4 and Gr. 5 students are bank tellers and bank board members. This school believe in project based instruction and the school bank partnership is certainly a real life application. Congrats to the school and bank employees!

Lots of fights in the hallways, students skipping class and causing disruptions for others that are trying to get work done in the classroom, disproportionate funding goes to athletics instead of the arts, and teachers are not given much respect from administrators. Failing students often form gangs and wreak havoc on all school property. The bathrooms are typically only partially functional on any given day and are poorly maintained. On the bright side, there's many excellent teachers, but of course there's a few stinkers as you'll have at any school. There are hundreds of kids failing multiple classes, and they seem to only feel apathy towards it. The school environment (if you can't do yourself a favor and go to class) really doesn't do these kids any favors as it's impossible for staff to keep the 50-60 people that always skip class from escaping and causing problems. Lots of these kids don't have great home lives and the school doesn't do much to make an environment where they must do the right thing to continue being there. 3/5 stars, average high school experience.

Teachers are shuffled to various subjects and sometimes don't have knowledge or passion for their assigned subject. One language arts teacher shared repeatedly that she was a science teacher. Math teacher explained that he didn't know material well since he taught a different subject previously. Track-driven and not responsive to students' learning needs. Very limited resources for advanced learners, who are told to use their cell phones "quietly" during free time.