Eden Lake Elementary School

I’m reviewing this school for follow up to an interview process. The way candidates are treated and the communication they receive says a great deal about the ethics of leadership in s school or district. I interviewed for an ELL position in February, 2023. My interview was it’s the principal and EL Supervisor. As it turned out, I accepted a position with an urban district and they decided to go with another candidate, which is great, but they didn’t let me know. I called a number of times to find out, and neither the EL supervisor not the principal had the courtesy to call me back and tell me. I finally reached the Principal, who was curt, and very unfriendly as he explained they’d gone with another candidate. That’s great, but how about having the ethics and consideration of informing the candidate, maybe thanking them for taking the time to apply, travel to the site, and interview. Honest feedback would have been great too. I interviewed at four places and received two offers. One who went with another candidate, sent me a letter thanking me for taking the time to meet and giving me positive feedback. The only one of the four that didn’t communicate or return calls or behaved rudely, was Forest Hills Elementary and the EPPS EL Supervisor. (Considering their white majority, snd majority non low income population, you’d think they’d do better at meeting the needs of underserved students, but based on test scores, they don’t to very well at all). This principal reminded me of my childhood principals, mostly white and from coaching backgrounds with little intellect or global awareness. In this aspect I feel like I dodged a bullet. I expect behavior like this from these guys. What I don’t get is the EL supervisor refusing to call back to let me know.

We transferred my child from the immersion school to here. He feels so loved and supported at Cedar Ridge. The teachers really care and Principal Unowsky is an EXEMPLARY instructional leader. And I can say this as someone that works in a school system myself. Their philosophy is to empower children to be their best selves. They address small potential bullying incidents immediately before it turns big. They are proactive in creating supportive classrooms and I gather that they are incredibly supportive of their teachers.

The Special Education team is exceptional and very attentive! Students excel, parent communication is strong, and staff care deeply!

Eagle Heights has an incredible sense of community amongst the teachers, staff, students, parents and our Interns. Our amazingly strong parent community knows that the best practice Immersion for students is an Immersion environment with NATIVE Spanish speakers. As such, we raise funds and administer a very in depth and intensive program that brings in 16-18 Native Spanish speaking interns from various countries across the globe!!! These interns assist the teachers in the classroom; they provide extensive cultural learnings for the students; they assist in nuances in the spanish language that exists across countries so that our students are prepared for whatever they face. Ultimately these students return home as amazing ambassadors of our community and the United States in general. Our school changes lives!!!

I cannot say enough great things about this school. My son is absolutely thriving here and getting the best education. The new principal is so caring and informative. He truly tries to get to know every student/family. Every teacher we have had has been great and she class sizes are small. My son was falling behind in reading in 1st grade and they scheduled 1:1 time and we was above reading levels in 2 weeks. The school truly feels like a family and we will be sending all 3 kids there!

Agape Christi Is a school developed by parents with biblical vision for more than the school itself; they see themselves as part of a bigger work for the strengthening of our children, the broader church, families, our community. We can say that in our one year as part of the Agape family we have experienced firsthand this strengthening. A Christmas tea for upper elementary students, parents night out, chess club, visits to friends in a local assisted living home, weekly parent prayer meetings, spring arts festival, support for homeschool families...Agape parents and teachers work together to give our kids a robust education and so much more.