Knapp Forest Elementary School

So---lots of great things about Knapp Forest--friendly staff, beautiful environment, involved parents, etc. I'm glad to be there and my daughter loves school and that is crucial to me. However, they do lack a lot of rigor as a school and rest on the fact that their students come from good families so know the 'job will get done' somewhere, if not at school. It's unfortunate though, because with a population of such high achieving students as they do have they could be doing so much more in the way of academics. They recently implemented the MAP test (NWEA) and do nothing with the results school wide. I don't see this data driving instruction, leading to intentional differentiation, or providing students with more challenging (if need be) or more remediated (if need be) work. The MAP test is a sound assessment and to not use it to the extent of the information it provides about student learning is a shame. Additionally, this is one of the most un-safe schools I've been a part of in my entire life. To be a school in the year 2017 who still doesn't have a buzzer system to let parents into the actual educational area of the school, for secretaries to not even look up when you sign in and walk into the building, for every classroom door to be wide open and unlocked at all times, for secretaries to not even call down to a teachers room to tell them that so and so is coming and were you expecting them, etc. is mind-blowing to me. So while I feel the community is safe and there are many positive aspects to the school--the element of school safety is an egregious miss on their part that probably needs to be remedied district wide.

The school is a beautiful buiding. The staff is very much hit or miss. If your child is lucky enough to get the preferred teachers, he will be fine. If he gets the teachers that should no longer be teaching that are protected by the union, it will not be a good experience at all. They are horrific. I agree that the staff often looks the other way in regards to solving issues. There is a huge helicopter parent problem as well. I have never soon so many moms and or dads spending countless hours hovering, planning ridiculous over the top holiday parties-and fighting about it. Not for us.

Nice school,however the administration does not work with parents to resolve problems. Lacks support and good leadership from the principle( unless you are in the click).

My 2 daughters attend this school and I am so happy to have moved into a district that has such an amazing school. My daughters have thrived in this school and I recommend it to anyone thinking of moving here you should make the move. The teachers care and they always let you know when your child needs extra attention and are always willing to work with you to help them. What more can you ask for?

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