Ken Caryl Middle School

Don’t send your child here if they need special education services. The special education staff is amazing, but the general education teachers have zero interest in including your child. My child has sat by themselves a lot and is not included in the classroom activities often. She is definitely discriminated against because of her disabilities. Leadership doesn’t have the knowledge of special education and IEPs to help with the situation.

I have four children and we have spent our entire elementary years at Normandy Elementary. With two having moved on to middle school, I have seen two of my kids through Normandy from start to finish. The things I love as a parent are as follows: The team of teachers and paras are amazing and only get better with each hire. I’m so grateful how the teachers are so professional at our school. They are amazing and caring and my kids have loved their teachers. They have helped my children get what they need be it IEPs, 504, etc. I know most of them now and they are just a phenomenal group!Core Knowledge curriculum is so rich and I love it! My kids learn the coolest stuff that I never learned and the teachers are creative and create great opportunities for the kids to learn through hands on activities, etc. I also love that the school emphasises respect.Our community of families is awesome! Parents are kind and helpful and show up for school events. Our PTO and SAC are awesome and welcoming to everyone. No “better than you” attitudes here, just how can I help. I’ve been to the past two school auctions and we had so much fun. I’ve also noticed just how many parents come in and help in class which is great! You’ve got to be the change you want to see.Our school has amazing art teachers, our music teacher is so fantastic with the kids and getting them moving and singing, playing instruments. PE is always exciting. The new and old playground is awesome. The shade structures are amazing. Our huge school garden is my kids’ favorite time where they get to learn how to do the things they learn in class, find bugs, and explore and serve via setting up a farmers market and prepping garden produce to serve in the cafeteria. The new Makerspace is also amazing and a fun place for the kids to explore and build, fail, and achieve. I don’t expect every teacher and staff to be the most amazing all the time. They are human and have lives too, just like our students and I think some people get offended too often and do not seek restitution in congenial ways. Our experience has not been perfect, but we have always found ways through good communication pathways with the teachers, the principal, and staff to resolve our issues. When another student started bullying my 4th grader, the principal and teacher nipped it in the bud immediately. They have always been willing and wanting to help any way they can and I appreciate them!

We love this school! Our daughter is in her 4th year here and this school has been such an absolute gem and blessing. The staff are incredible, they care for students as individuals and strive to provide what each student needs to succeed.

Stony Creek takes pride in teaching curriculum to their students, while also helping them to be kind, respectful, and responsible humans. They have been wonderful in preparing our kids for Kindergarten. They are willing to step forward and give extra attention where it is needed, whether that's through special education or with additionally challenging children who are excelling in the classroom.

Our family moved into the district after our children had been at other schools previously, and we were welcomed with open arms. We love how close knit the community is, and how supportive of each other. The teaching staff truly cares for their students, and a lot of families live within walking distance so the playgrounds are always full of friends after school, and during weekends and the summertime. In terms of academics, I think it’s fair to say no kid actually “likes” everything they work on in school, but our children have been well supported in their needs, which have included an ALP. There is an annual science fair, as well as a spelling bee, monthly writing and perseverance awards, and several after school special programs on offer, including a run club. The library is robust, and there is a kid-run news program that goes out to the school. Band and orchestra are offered for the older grades, as well as art, music, and gym for all classes. The school does have a preK, and a SPED center. Class sizes are excellent! We have been pleasantly surprised by how much we love being a part of the CHE community- our previous schools were both blue ribbon DPS schools, but we’ve never experienced the warmth of a community like this one before. Heartily recommend this school for consideration!