McKinley Elementary School

Not just a school, but also a community of plain ole good people that genuinely care for one another and for the City of SB. Top notch academics, a commitment to Christian education, excellent teachers, good extracurricular activities, and a safe + caring environment. My Jr High daughter loves going to school everyday (imagine that!) because of the wonderful community of friends and classmates, and her teachers love and pour into her. Bonus points for working hard and staying open as much as possible during Covid. While so many other schools took a knee during Covid, Providence worked hard to keep kids where they belong (in school and with teachers) while also keeping everyone healthy. They really earned my respect over the past couple of years.

The promises that the mission and the school make are above what the school can actually offer. In theory it is a wonderful pursuit. In practice, the school doesn't have the resources, training or abilities to do what is best for gifted students. Unfortunately many get brought along by the promises and then students are hurt by this process. In the early years parents are falsely promised that their children are doing fine and do not need the support that is clearly evident, in turn delaying very needed early intervention that would make student and family lives much easier. Due to a lack of training and high ego, the teacher responsible for the youngest children misses the mark in very fundamental years. The school was founded on strong meaningful principles, but the current offerings in practice are not to the standard that serves the student population.