Indian Ridge Elementary School

The teachers, staff and community at Indian Ridge are the best! Everyone strives for a supportive and inclusive environment.

I have very mixed feelings about Indian Ridge. The teachers and staff seem helpful and compassionate; they attempt to put students first. However, after several years of my kids attending I feel there is emphasis put on academics rather than on emotional and social learning that I expect from an elementary school. Students who learn differently or may not fit in are often left to themselves rather than included and made to feel welcome. An example of this is the playground environment in which the kids are expected to know "how to play". Those kids who do not know how to socialize or are lacking some social skills are not given the hands on approach to foster participation in playground socialization (teachers spend this time socializing between themselves rather than interacting with their students). The culture of the school is not always a collaborative problem solving environment between parents and teachers/ staff. As a parent who values a quality education and a love of learning it is disappointing to always expecting the environment to change and seeing very little if any positive outcomes from situations that need addressing. It always feels like a political battle rather than a collaborative learning partnership.

Very positive. My daughter feels as if this is “her school” and that she is part of the “team.” She LOVES her school. As a parent, you can’t ask for much more!

Great safe environment, lots of events and opportunities for the students and family. Tons of learning going on and lots of creativity too!!

We transferred my son in the middle of the year. He is 11 and has Autism. We were so frustrated with his prior school, we were going to home school him. The staff at this school has been AMAZING! They welcomed us with open arms and have gone out of their way time and again to help us in any way they can. The principal is SO kind. Every time I see him, he's smiling and talking to someone and going out of his way to make sure everyone is having a great day. He has told me many times, "We're in this together". The ILC department (special needs) is by FAR the BEST program I've ever seen. Mr. Mike, the ILC teacher, is EXACTLY what a special needs teacher should be. He is THE most patient person I've ever seen in my life! ALL of the ILC staff are wonderful. I see them working with other children and they are all so kind and caring! His "typical" teacher (the class he's in when he's not in ILC) is THE sweetest teacher in the world. When the other kids are not in class, she will often come to ILC just to say hi to my son and see how he's doing. The kids are SO amazing with my son. It honestly makes me cry when I think of how all the kiddos go out of their way to say hi to him. I have never seen another child make fun of him or be anything but patient. SO if you are looking for an amazing school (and I have 3 other kids who have gone to different schools so I know), Indian Ridge is it! It is the most amazing elementary school I have ever seen! EVERY single staff member I've had the pleasure of working or meeting have just been SO pleasant and kind and HAPPY with their job (which I think makes a HUGE difference). I just can't say enough about this school. They haven't just done amazing things for my son, they are ALWAYS asking me if there's anything they can do to help or hugging me when I leave crying from a difficult drop off. They are just THE best school! <3