Castle Rock Middle School

After our first year at CRE, we are so thrilled with this school. The teachers and staff are attentive and student-focused. The leadership is diligent and resourceful. And like most public schools, they are continuously working to serve students and families with fewer and fewer resources. While the Douglas Country School District has some work to do, the faculty and staff at CRE are doing amazing work to overcome the challenges that they’re facing.

My experience at Academy Charter School has been concerning, especially regarding academic pressure and certain staff attitudes. First, the academic workload is excessive. Rather than fostering a love of learning, the immense pressure and homework create a highly stressful environment that leaves little room for a healthy life balance outside the classroom. I have experienced significant issues with the school environment and staff culture. Bullying among students was a persistent struggle I had to deal with that never seemed to be addressed by the administration. Furthermore, some deeply troubling attitudes and comments from a certain teacher have certainly come off as culturally insensitive and somewhat racist against their minority students. For a school to be truly successful, students need to feel safe, respected, and included, but the environment here falls incredibly short of that standard. I do not recommend this school to any families, especially families of color, looking for a supportive, inclusive, and balanced educational environment.

This is my second year at Meadow View Elementary. We had moved from California, and I never heard of Artful Learning before. I wasn't sure if it would work, but once I found out more about it, it helps students learn the same curriculum just through different mediums. During my daughters first year here, there was a new Principle Lacey Dahl, reading previous reviews of the school the old principle seemed to be an issue. However, the new principle has been recognized by Douglas County as an outstanding principle. She greets children, knows most by first and last name, she has the leadership qualities and truly cares about her staff, students, and the students parents.Teachers are involved with the students. For example my daughter knows all the teachers and she likes them all and she was only in kindergarten now 1st grade. The school seems to be like a family, which is a total different vibe than California. The school could use a makeover, but I see they do try to make an effort at rebranding and they try to make school a fun experience for all the children, while keeping it a learning facility. I think the biggest problem is that most parents don't like the Artful Learning program and the school is rated lowest in Great Schools, so it turns people away. I hear a lot of families choosing Charter schools or academy's rather than staying at Meadowview, its sad but who can blame them. Its not a bad thing they choose to do this, but this cuts Meadowview's enrolment which I think would effect the schools budget to keep above water. This effects how the schools budget is handled with staff members (teachers), the programs offered, and beyond. A cut in enrollment is a cut in abilities to succeed. I am happy, but others are not as pleased with Meadowview's performance. I know that test scores have risen in areas like math, but if I remember correctly they are still below average in the district for writing and reading. Is it artful learning that is bringing them down??

My kiddo has been going here since Preschool. He has had a positive experience with Soaring Hawk. In fact, we have hesitated to move out of the area because we love the school so much. It is a very positive, enriching environment for children. My child loves Soaring Hawk!

We have had such a great experience with the teachers, office staff, communication, and our son’s overall happiness!

Aspen View Academy is, without question, the worst school in Castle Rock. I say that with absolute certainty after finally pulling my kids out. The contrast with their new school is night and day—my children are actually thriving now, instead of merely surviving.At Aspen View, kids are not protected both physically or mentally. The administration is incompetent and lazy from top to bottom. The entire place lacks any real structure, discipline, or leadership. Everyone, students and staff alike, knows it, so chaos runs unchecked. Bullying is rampant and worse here than at any other school in the area.Teachers are often friends of the weak principal, hired for connections rather than qualifications. Many lack proper teaching degrees or certifications. They play favorites shamelessly because professionalism is nonexistent. Most classroom helpers, “paras”, lunch aids, you name it, are parents of current students. Not the parents you want in the school either. The parents at this school are most certainly part of the problem: entitled families obsessed with status, driving their kids around in expensive cars and drilling into them that money is everything. The whole atmosphere reeks of spoiled, entitled kids and adults who think wealth or popularity excuses bad behavior.Talk to any family that’s left Aspen View, there are plenty, and you’ll hear the same story. Most people I encounter have pulled their children out. DCSD should shut it down for the sake of some of these other kids, whose parents may not understand just how bad things are for them. This school is hands-down the worst one in Castle Rock. Trust me. Avoid it.