Joseph O. Goodwin School

What I can say the principal fooled me! The afternoon Thrive program discriminated against my child. I would go into details but the special education services were not anything what they explained. Prior to my child attending the school, it was explained he will have teacher who pull him out for services and serve him. After the school started the person who was supposed to do that, was promoted and did not hired anyone new, and push my child out to another school for services. Instead of hiring someone and providing my child support in home school before pushing us out to another program. The staff faked the friendliness and my child pick up on it before. My last visit the school nurse wouldn’t even look me in my eyes the principal thought I did not notice his disagreement of my expression of the staff and school with my child. It felt very prejudice and racism. The school students are diverse but staff and leadership is not. I have no problem expressing that.

The school has gone downhill over the years. Both of my children who are now in their 20s attended and the atmosphere and academic instruction was much stronger. Fast forward to 2017 and my son enters Kindergarten. Teachers feel free to suggest unsolicited medical advice to parents which is totally out of line. Principal is not responsive to parental concerns, this same Prinicpal was here when my daughters went and has always displayed a dismissive attitude. My son was not meeting grade level standards yet they kept advancing him to the next grade and he was getting further and further behind. Actually sold my home and moved due to the lack of instruction my son was receiving. Special education department is a complete disgrace. I requested my son be held back in 2nd grade and Principal was adamant that he woukd not allow it. Interestingly enough the Principal was unable to answer me as to how he could justify advancing a child who was not meeting grade level standards. Upon registering at a new school in a different town I discussed my concerns with the Board of Ed and was allowed to have my child repeat 2nd grade. He is flourishing academically and socially at his new school. I would never recommend this school to anyone.

Very poor experience and statistics are low and this school lacks communication skills and effort for students

This is an excellent school. The administration truly cares and you can tell the principal runs a tight ship and the teachers believe in the culture he sets forth. Teachers for the most part are excellent and care about the kids success. This school is on the rise, I think its the best in the district easily based on what I have heard from other parents in surrounding schools. Test scores are on the rise and in comparing my childrens education to kids out of district, my children have a better overall grasp of reading, math and skills.

Several of my grandchildren attend Goodwin Elementary in East Hartford and I am very pleased with the enthusiam that this school projects. From the active P.T.O involvement to the flower/vegi garden that the teachers (and students) have created on the property grounds, the educators continue to come up with innovated ways for all the children to learn & grow in a nice neighborhood setting.