Soaring Hawk Elementary School

I recently graduated from acs.Over the 5 years I was at acs I felt like I was not only being drowned out by school work but also the disrespect of not only students, but also the staff. Starting out at the school I noticed a severe case of bullying from other students which I ended up experiencing myself. Some kids were physically hurt and others mentally, and the schools staff failed to punish or take the situation seriously when brought to them.When I was in 6th grade I was being bullied by multiple classmates and when I brought it to the counselor, nothing was resolved nor did she attempt to speak with the students. I have noticed how much the school lacks in providing a safe environment when it comes to mental health and bullying for students. When I entered middle school the sheer amount of work pressed on us caused constant anxiety of failed grades and teacher relationships.Especially in 8th grade I found myself doing homework from the time I got home till dinner, then starting back up until late at night. Many students found themselves falling behind in classes and not having the time to have fun extracurriculars to enjoy. Spending so long on homework caused lack of sleep for students making it harder to focus. Most teachers didn't seem to have the patience for it. If you weren't passing a class many teachers claimed you just didn't have good time management or didn't pay attention, instead of acknowledging how much work they forced on students. However, giving acs one star goes out truly to the few teachers I found at that school that were really helpful and kind. It wasn't until middle school that I found a teacher willing to listen and provide a safe classroom along with stern advice and good teaching that has helped me become who l am now. He will remain an important mentor in my life. I also found that my 6th grade homeroom teacher helped me get through the tough times of that year. If you are planning on sending a child through acs, please prepare to set them up with therapy or consider moving them into online school. Most students I attended acs with have left the school with a lower self esteem, self worth, pride, and joy than children leaving 8th grade should. I even know a student in my grade who moved schools halfway through 8th grade year because of student and teacher disrespect. That student recently told me how toxic the acs environment truly was and how much better his new school ended up being. Reconsider sending your kid please.

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??

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

This school is undergoing a change and it's not for the better. In a serious disruption, and with little regard for the emotions of the children or the perspective of the parents, they recently removed the principal (which was the best thing about this school) and have created a really weird vibe. Although we dearly loved the school up until now, everything suddenly seems unstable, lacking in transparency, run at the whim of the church leadership. We're bailing on the Fall of 2017 and so are many others.

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.