Grant Ranch K-8 School

We have been with Dutch Creek for six years now. We really enjoy the community environment. The PTA puts on amazing events. Our daughter has loved all of her teachers and they seem care about giving the students the help they need to succeed.

I chose to send my child to our neighborhood school and have had zero regrets! Leawood is such an amazing community! It has a small cozy community vibe I love. The principal is very hands on and the kids adore him. Both of the kindergarten teachers and their assistants are amazing. From art class, music class, the community garden, an active PTSA with various activities throughout the year, Leawood is just a really sweet little school. My child would have been overwhelmed in a larger or overcrowded school.

I have waited a long time to make a review to reflect on what the real problems were with FRCS. I believe this school is damaging enough to it's students that I should leave some warning for anybody considering it. There are some amazing teachers here who go out of their way for the students. Generally that is not the case, though potentially it is beginning to improve a little. Most teachers follow a straight line to not risk their jobs or relationship with the owner/principle and coworkers. The main issue I have is with the High-school Bible teaching. I have no knowledge of who is teaching that now, they could be great, but in the past it has proven to be very damaging to students. The selling point for FRCS to a lot of people is the Bible/Christian aspect. But I have learned it is worse to be taught the Bible wrong than not at all. The last Bible teacher was a sports coach, and should have never been considered for Bible teaching. The 3-4 teachers before that, (usually duos) generally taught more harmful beliefs than thought provoking ones. And almost always were in disagreement with each other. I personally chose to agree more with Nietzche than any Bible teacher, and they introduced me to his philosophy. I truly do hope the Bible teaching is better now, but in my experience it can be devastating to a real faith in God. It seems encouraged for the teachers to disagree with the literal parts of the Bible, and leave most things open ended. Which is especially bad when they are the ones to give the side of non believers and just leave the defense unsaid. As far as the Christian side of FRCS, I would highly suggest you either tell your kid to ignore the Bible teachers, or to avoid the school entirely. I had a terrible experience for a lot of reasons, that is not the fault of staff. So I will not speak to the other aspects more, but i do think its important for me to warn people considering this school. Even if you are not a believer but want your kid at an expensive private school for whatever reason, this is probably not for you. It has too few students for real social interactions, and public school probably offers a slightly higher level of education.

Couldn't have had a worse experience. Reluctant to leave the full review until my kid is finally completely out of the school later in the year at which point I will come back and leave a comprehensive review. But would be doing a disservice to parents considering it now for their kids for next year. Run like a business where the kids are the product! Much more to come...