Virginia Palmer Elementary School

Best school ever!! My kids were so welcome and the teachers were kind and open with the parents.

My child scored at and above CRT normative standards and spent his entire elementary years at Bennett. He loved his teachers and he felt loved by them. I believe a school can make a difference in a child’s education, but it truly starts at home with the parent well before formal schooling ever begins.

We wanted to love this school, but unfortunately the Dean and Principle have made it difficult to do so. Their disregard on how they speak to parents is very concerning. If you request to speak with them, they immediately become agitated, and respond with dismissive , defensive and fabricated reasons as to why they are right before you can even voice fully why you are concerned or what you need clarification on. If you disagree and have questions , their response is "well it makes sense to us, and your child will adjust." Kids getting hurt on the playground is justified to your child did not disclose the full truth to you as their parent nor was your child able to communicate well with their teacher, and this is why the child's care was delayed though the visible blood on clothing and bruising on nose. I am very disappointed with the lack of support they provide to younger grades, especially with how the kids are directed to arrive at the after school program. I was told all safety precautions were though of and planned out. They even lock the outside gates up at 3:15, so no one would be able to leave the school instead of attending the afterschool program. But 3:45 and gates wide open not locked. I hope they can do better. As a parent this is not what I imagined my child would be exposed to.

This school is absolutely amazing! The staff and teachers are professional, yet welcoming and friendly. The principal is awesome!! I cannot say enough good things.

My son has been attending the Goddard School in Sparks for four years now and has just graduated with their 2012 Kindergarten class. The teachers have been excellent throughout, setting boundaries, consistent rewards and consequences and helping him grow. It has been a fantastic experience for all of us.