Immaculate Conception School

This school does some things very well. The teachers are fantastic, and there are excellent extracurricular opportunities, particularly music and art. However, the school came nowhere close to meeting our children's needs. The curriculum and administration are inflexible and very unfriendly (either through ignorance or intentionally, hard to tell) towards kids with high academic ability. All classes are grouped heterogeneously, meaning the strongest students are divided among different classes; effectively limiting their chances to interact with academic peers. There are only 2 honors courses (not counting foreign lang), both in eighth grade; algebra is considered honors, but half the students take it and the pace/depth are consistent with regular classes, honors in name only, too much repetition and review. For humanities, all students are grouped together, again with very slow pace and low expectations. My kids were not challenged, and started high school years behind some of their peers in other districts (particularly in math) due to the inflexible policies (no acceleration, etc). The school has very high stand. test scores, but this is partly due to the no-acceleration policy.

Moved to this school for its great reputation and I have never been more disappointed.If we were aware of the Open Concept Classroom, we would have Never bought a house in this area.The progress they use as a “report card” does not reflect my child’s ability level and has left my child in tears for the first three quarters as the staff has stated 2s and 3s are what you get to show progress. This grade is given even when my child receives nothing but 4s on all assessments for each quarter.When asked, school staff has stated they grade the quarter based on the required end of year standards…meaning they are not being graded on work that was completed for that quarter.All categories are generalized on the progress report so you don’t know what your child is actually being graded against.I have had better experiences in other districts.If any of your children need any kind of Special education services or if they are gifted….their needs will not be met.This district refuses to provide services in a timely matter as they prefer to “hope and see” what becomes of it.For the gifted kids, don’t expect any differentiated instruction to challenge as they won’t receive it.

Excellent. We know our daughter is getting a top notch education everyday.

We have had three children go through the school, with completely different personality types and social behavior. Quiet but steadfast and stubborn to neutral to a social butterfly. We were called a n, as needed for a sit down, and their teachers, administrators, and counseling actually *listened* to what we had to say and made adjustments (or helped US help our children adjust), accordingly... this is a really superb staff who tailors each student’s future plans according to their needs. From the start. Do NOT be nervous about being called in to discuss your child; be frank so that they understand. It’s best for everyone.

I agree with another person's comments about Jonna Johnson. She is a really good principal and has a very difficult task of trying to please a lot of different stakeholders while ensuring that children of all diverse backgrounds and learning levels are obtaining the best education they can receive in this day in age. She is also constantly trying to find better ways of engaging with all of the stakeholders, notably the parents and teachers. This is what you need with an elementary school principal. I really can't imagine what any given day is like for her given what she has to juggle. She is also lucky to have a good staff to support her and the children.

If I said why, they could identify me, so I'd rather not, but believe me when I tell you that YOUR CHILD IS NOT SAFE HERE ! I'm only sorry I waited as long as I did to pull her out of there. Afterwards, many people in the field confided to me their low opinion of CEDS. I wish I had vetted Creative Environment before they traumatized my child, and endangered others.