Glenallan Elementary School

My kiddo completed 1st grade and is now in his 2nd grade year at Bel-Pre. In my experience, this school has excellent teachers with trash administrative staff and leadership. Again, This rating is not a reflection of the teachers, aides, or paraeducators - Only the admin and leadership. Actually, I have NEVER felt welcome at Bel-Pre as an EFL citizen (English as a First Language) and Special Needs Parent. Upon arrival, if you are not Spanish speaking, YOU CAN WAIT. You will wait to be assisted if there are other Spanish speaking parents also waiting to be helped. At first I thought I was imagining it, but I was not. The front office staff does not even greet you until you speak to them first - Or of course unless you appear to be Spanish speaking. It's very strange and off putting. No matter how friendly you are to them, they are stone walls - unless of course your appear to speak Espanol. Does it matter how friendly the secretaries are - Definitely. They set the tone for the entire establishment. By the way - My child is Autistic and minimally verbal. Imagine the cringe of entrusting him to extremely unfriendly authority every morning. Nightmarish to say the least. In regards to the leadership - The Principle is not respected by her staff , it shows - And now I understand why. She is a one dimensional leader. Not fit for the task of ensuring that her AND her immediate staff makes everyone feel welcome - including plain ole' English speaking citizens as well as the neuro diverse community. In violation of FAPE, My child was initially turned away, on his much anticipated, first day of school because the Principle failed to prepare for his needs.(As outlined in his IEP) I was told "I'm warning you that he is not safe here!" My kid is still recovering from the anxiety of that day. (as if he does not have enough challenges) In true poor leadership form, there was zero acknowledgement, zero apologies, and zero accountability. She has followed up with the same unprofessional behavior that she condones from the front office staff - No hello, smirking and eye rolling. I had no idea that my kid would not be welcome at Bel-Pre for his 2nd grade year. If I had known, I would have moved mountains to make sure that he never returned there. Last year in first grade, His teacher, peers, and the Special Education staff welcomed my kiddo in all his unique, Autistic glory. This year leadership decided that they did not want to do the work. He was NOT welcome.

Extremely organized school, easy and complete communication with parents, perfect didactics. And not to mention that my son loves going to school!

Best counselor, I found it the way I was recommended!

Es una Escuela que ayudan a sus estudiantes a ser los mejores y a desempeñar cualquier obstáculo que se presente , son muy amables los maestros y todo el l personal que Dios bendiga grandemente a Arcola Elementary

I simply don’t understand some of the poor reviews on this site…Our experience with Barrie is excellent. The community is diverse and caring. Academics are challenging and project-based.We plan for our daughters to attend through Middle and Upper School.

I really like the school, the community is great and I make some really good friends much better then Westover Elementary school. But I don’t like the amount the homework where getting I mean… ya it’s helping us for college but sometimes we have a project to do while we have a test the day before the project is due. Over all the school is great it’s just the homework. :)