Park Brook Elementary School

Overall, I like Birch Grove. It is most definitely a like, not a love. I have had a total of 3 students of my own with close ties to other families.First, what works well. The arts program is wonderful and does an amazing job supporting the gifts, or even curiosity, of the youth who take interest in various artistic ventures. Through the productions, the students also learn about dedication and seeing things through and that’s great. My largest complaint with BG is that there is not consistency across the board with the many experiences. The experience of the student can vary greatly dependent on what teacher they get or even the relationship they have with a given teacher and that is very concerning. Too much is left to chance. I have the flexibility of being able to physically present at a rate that many parents do not but it has been the only saving grace at times with advocating for my children. This also translates to my experience managing supports within the school as well. This has been crucial in advocating for a child of mine not getting services in accordance with the set or even reasonable timeline. I have another student who navigated special education services as a breeze. Again, highlighting inconsistencies and process gaps that need be addressed.

Our sons have had a very good experience at Fair Oaks. They love their teachers and we love the smaller class sizes. This school has diverse culture, which is an excellent learning experience for young children as well.

My son attended Zanewood from pre k all the way to 5th grade and he has always been above grade level for his testing scores and my daughter has been there since kindergarten and she is now a 3rd grader and she is also above grade level for testing. I'm very excited for my youngest daughter to start pre k next week! My kids and I love this school!

I've been very impressed with Excell Academy teachers and their ability to meet students where they're at and provide interventions support to get them where they need to be to find success in school. The staff and administration are dedicated and very committed to student success.

I would like to preface that I do not care if you are religious, homosexual, believe in evolution or don’t; none of that matters to me. What does matter to me is inexcusable intolerantly and pure hate. The curriculum itself was complicit in promoting homophobia. Discussions of LGBTQ+ topics were presented in a negative light, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. The lack of education and open dialogue surrounding sexual orientation only served to further marginalize and isolate LGBTQ+ students. It is crucial for educational institutions to provide a safe space for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, and this school fell drastically short in that regard. I’ve known people of color that went to this school and had similar experiences with their race or ethnicity being targeted. If you’re thinking of sending your children to this school please confirm with them that they wouldn’t mind this. If they are not white or straight, this school may not be for them

Shout out to administration and teachers of Nasha Shkola, who manage to create positive and nourishing learning environment for children, despite limited resources. The school has been through many challenges, including moving to new location, but it is a great place for kids who want to learn different language and culture. Last year the school welcomed kids from the Ukrainian refugee families, and helped them learn English and adjust to a new school. The administrators and teachers of Nasha Shkola are professional, kind, and devoted to kid’s education. Based on our kids experiences, we have nothing but respect and gratitude for their hard work.