Clive Elementary School

did not have a good experience at this school

If you're looking for a school that offers diversity, but with a better academic record that Des Moines schools, this is it. Crestview is one of 3 elementaries in the West Des Moines school district with the most diversity. We actually sold our house and moved so that our kids could go to this school. I want my kids to get a quality education while experiencing others from different races, cultures, religions, and economic classes. Iowa, overall, is not a highly diverse state (comapred to the rest of the country), so I try to expose my kids to as much diversity as possible. The staff is great, the secretary is SO friendly, the principal is great, and even the Kids West (before and after school program) staff are the best! You pretty much can't go wrong with any school in the West Des Moines district, but we love Crestview.

My child entered as a 3 year old preschooler. The preschool experience was awesome. Mrs. Fischer embodies Montessori principles and has such a great relationship with her students. The school is highly sought after and based off our preschool experience, I could see why. The school is predominantly white, which was a surprise. I have noticed more diversity this year but based off the review of a former student of color, I’m curious how their experience is going. The transition to lower elementary- has been a very different experience. I can’t say my child is being properly supported and from what I’m hearing from other parents, we are not alone. There are serious concerns around math & reading progress. An adjacent concern is what is happening on an administrative level. There is a lot of teacher turn over, there is not a lot of transparency or direct communication, and there is an overall sense that outside of classroom parent helpers, the administration and some teachers don’t want parents in their classrooms and if they do, it’s very prescriptive on when. These are huge red flags. The number of concerned parents is growing and they are getting more vocal. The school will have a new principal coming in and the hope is that the overall chaotic climate will resolve. In its current state, I wouldn’t recommend the school but I’m hopeful with strong leadership things will change.

They wont let parents bring breast milk or formula of their choice once baby hits 12 months. This would worry any parent not knowing the kind of ( unsterilised) bottles they use to feed them and how clean they keep them or if they even care of wash them and what if the baby doesn't like what they feed? NO ANSWERS for such questions from the management

First of all I would like to say sorry for the experiences from the families that adamantly criticize the St Theresa's principle or schools staff as a whole. As a parent of 5 children currently attending here, our family has only have praises for the staff. The main reason why we kept our family at this school is from the compassion that we have recieved from them. We have been here for 10 years, beginning with the 3yr old program.The principle here always greet and assist the kids in upon the beginning and dismissal of school. Even when when it's -20° or more below with windchill she is usually the last staff there to assure the safety of the students to and from the school and their means of transportation. That's every day, that she is at the school, for the past 10 years that we have been here, in frostbite, rain, or muggy 100° plus weather. Many staff are there to assist well. That's dedication and caring.As a parent of 5 pre-highschool students, everyone of my kids are different in their own social and mental abilities, and depending at different stages of their growth. The staff here educate, nurture, and support the students as to the staff's best abilities. They will customize and adapt special teaching activities according to the students individual abilities. I have been called into the principles office and have also met with staff about some disciplinary situations regarding my kids. Never have that made me felt uncomfortable, offended or upset in any means. I felt that they really cared about the kids.Even with all the crimes/shooting going on in the schools of our nation, I know that my kids are at a school where I can feel the less worry about situations like that arising.Sometimes I wish that they have more language classes or more advanced math and science classes, but I understand that it's a private charter school and don't have the extra funding as the public schools do. But that does not outweigh the countless positives programs that the school brings. I could explain dozens of additional positve experiences, I hope you get the idea. We are Blessed to be a part of this St. Theresa School family!