Wilder Elementary 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.

This school is horrible. No honor classes, only three electives, band is the only performance art (thanks to the new principal this year...) and the entire school isn't run very well. Staff gossip about children, and hold a very manipulative and fake tone to their voice. Punishment is not helpful, weird schedule that nobody likes, arguably unnecessary guidelines,, heavy favoritism, some classes don't even have teachers, and nothing gets learned. I took absolutely no information from social studies this year, and am now a year behind the curriculum in math because I was in honors at a different school last year, but since this school doesn't offer any honor programs, I have a year to make up. I'm transferring out ASAP. I truly believe only a FEW teachers care about the students. Not to mention the behavior they condone? Students walk out of classes with no repercussions, some hide out in other teachers classes, and no other school I’ve been to lets kids spout vulgar language to one another. Staff don’t care if students choose to not learn. This is one of the schools out of the many I’ve been to that actually does make me hate school.

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!

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.