Fox Chapel Elementary School

This school has been a blessing for my kids ! Their grades improved so much in just 2 months ! My first son graduated form SKR and my second son is happy to go to school here. The principal Mrs. Burgess is the best ! You will find her outside every morning bringing the kids in and in the afternoon making sure the kids go home safely. She even stays with the kids for after-school club. She goes on field trips with the grades and spends time with the students at lunch. This principal is involved in eveything! The teachers have been here a long time they know how to teach and they stay year after year . The teachers and paraeducators are experianced and care for the students well being . The teacher contacted me because she noticed my son couldn't see from far, he needed glasses . They always welcome parents to volunteer.

I absolutely love this school! All 4 of my children go to this school. Soon will be 5 when my youngest is able to start Kindergarten!!The staff is beyond helpful and nice. My sons case manager is such a beautiful soul. Never have I had so much help and compassion from a group of "strangers". They truly put the kids needs first. My children are always looking forward to going to school, which gives me a sense of calmness and relief.

Clopper Mill is a fantastic place for learning and growth. The teachers are outstanding, and the entire staff is professional, dedicated, and truly committed to student success

From the administration and the children at this school. I wouldn’t recommend this school to an enemy. I have witnessed staff speak to children in a demeaning manor, tell students they are going to get them in trouble with their parents and that they are a bad kid. If they do that in front of other adults, can you imagine what they do when alone with your child? Children at this school aren’t held accountable and it’s always an excuse. Child here anre bullies, use physical contact first, very little is done by staff, student get away with murder, student are forced to have restorative conversations even when someone gets physical and both are forced to apologize. Continuing a cycle of violence and abuse with zero consequences and then wonder why the cycle continues. Although I haven’t come across a lot of amazing teachers I will say there are a few. Both of my children have expressed that a lot of the specials teachers are mean (media, music), shout a lot and are not liked. I have heard students at the park across the street say all their teachers do is yell and shout etc. I hear parents asking other kids about being picked on and bullying. That is what this school enables and cultivates. The fish rots from the head and both the principal and asst principal cover for each other, full of excuses and after several interactions are untrustworthy.

This school was a wonderful environment during Mrs. Prater’s leadership. She was approachable, truly listened, and took meaningful action when concerns were raised. Those qualities fostered a strong sense of trust and community that many families deeply valued.There are still a few teachers I hold in high regard. They are caring, live out their Christian values, and clearly love what they do. Mrs. Thorne, in particular, stands out as dedicated, compassionate, and genuinely invested in the success and well-being of her students.However, I have growing concerns regarding student safety and bullying. It has been troubling to observe how these issues are currently handled. While concerns may be acknowledged, they are not always addressed with the level of transparency and honesty that parents should reasonably expect. At times, communication from administration has not fully aligned with the facts, raising serious questions about trust and accountability.Additionally, when families raise concerns or seek clarification, responses can feel dismissive or defensive rather than collaborative. This dynamic makes it difficult for parents to feel confident that issues are being handled appropriately and in good faith.I am especially concerned by instances where children’s experiences appear to be minimized or not fully believed. Every student’s voice matters, and their safety and emotional well-being must always come first.I share these concerns in the hope that they are received in a constructive spirit and lead to meaningful reflection and improvement. Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported at school.