Hillis Elementary School

TERRIBLE School. When we first moved to Urbandale, we did a lot of research to determine where we wanted to live. Since having the new Principal, we have started looking at new places to live. The district won't let you move to a different school unless you are outside of the district. I know several families who have open enrolled their kids in outside districts to get away from the principal and the school. I would NOT recommend going here. The principal says she cares for the students but then her actions does not show it. My one student has no idea who she is, and my daughter says she makes her feel uncomfortable. If you don't mind having your kids get hurt constantly without admin caring, then this is the school for you! My son is constantly getting hurt at school by other students and there is no urgency or care for staff that it keeps happening. We have had to start advising our kids to defend themselves when they are getting hurt, since the principal has made no effort to help. I moved into a house I absolutely love and now have to move for the safety of my children both emotionally and physically. This is the first time this principal has been in this position, and you can tell. She was interim last year, this year she has tried to cancel passing out friendship cards, stopped allowing desserts in the classroom for parties, I heard she has restricted what the PTO is allowed to do for staff, has tried to dictate where parents can park. I honestly am not sure I would recommend the school district as the super intendant is always late to get information out, there was an active shooter in another district and one school (outside the district) sent an email right away of what they were doing right now, ours waited almost 4 hrs. later and only had info about what they are planning on doing. As a parent, I don't necessarily care what's being done in the future at that time, I care more about what's being done now. Oh and you won't find out if police are in the school unless your student tells you. The staff seem great. Although, another parent told me that they had to request a doctor's note in order for their students to go to the nurse and bathroom, and when asked the principal why, they were advised that the student has to ask several times before they will let them go, well as a elementary student, they may not know to ask again and may just assume the answer is no and it wont change. Absolutely terrible school!

My child was bullied here relentlesly, the teachers didn't care and they children have to stand out in the cold for reccess if it's above 0. Honesty this school is disgusting.

Again, bear with me because there is a point. They do not wish to make people feel as though they must be structured by race or IQ or EQ so as to stop the students from socially interacting in a natural way. I think the critique of the lack of those educators is that these students are unwanted or hinder performance and testing stats. As a parent, I prefer my child to not be unnaturally socialized so as to believe that learning spaces are only open to those who look like them, share a faith, or are 'competent'/ future skilled workers or professionals. They do not talk about unconscious bias at Cowles, but it seems like this is not the group of teachers that would brutally oppose hiring specialized staff. They call it diverse and unstructured, but have metrics. The waiting list says more about Des Moines proper than this school. As someone learning that the diversity of my children makes me a target, it's a shame that the students and families must fight and push for inclusion. So many people are interested in monetizing diversity and deciding who is allowed to discuss it that they forget these battles about equality aren't for children... it is not academia. There should be more resources like guidance counselors, meditative spaces, and anti-bullying policies if they attempt to tackle diversity in an environment hostile to it since I have lived here. Some want to essentially own and control the narrative, often othering opposite racial groups, certain sides of town, the rural types, and perceived outsiders as unhappy, intimidating, or uneducated cretins to just be rude. I would say that Cowles could always regress, but I can appreciate it or teachers who are knowledgeable. I really just wish people would remember that this is taking your kids to school, not making some grandiose social statement. It's really about the youth. Also, they are all born here, many of these students are American citizens... so it should be said that the adults can dislike outsiders; but, these ARE kids from Des Moines. The reason why it is applicable is that nationality should not matter and had to be explained but some of this community has no interest in parents' opinions. It's funny that parents in other places can ban books and masks but women in this community can't talk about our kids. I think this school should be weirder and more radical but some people are going to snob and blame others when things change or fight the changes.

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!

I graduated from Holy Trinity in the 1980s and now send my child there. I am very happy with the education she has received! The teachers are kind and very down to earth but expect the kids to work hard and treat others with respect. The curriculum is geared toward preparation for HS/college and there are great STEM learning opportunities. The school is a good mix of races and socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s a Catholic school, so obviously teaching the tenants of Catholicism and Christian values is at the heart of what the school does. However, kids who are not baptized Catholics like my daughter are still very much welcomed, and I feel like the school has gone out of their way to make her feel included. All are welcome here. If I had to do it again, I would choose Holy Trinity. I feel my daughter has received an excellent education and will be well prepared for high school and beyond.