Smith Elementary School

Construction on Katherine Smith is complete, as of this school year, Smith has a wonderful new principal. My son has attended Smith since kindergarten and is currently in the 3rd grade. Smith has a fantastic new library, music room and instructor, PE everyday and after school programs. School does need more parental involvement but i think that could be said about most schools. I hope everyone will give Smith a well deserved second look.

I would rate this school a 8/10 as a mother of four children I see much improvement since their last school . I’m definitely keeping them until they graduate

My experience with this school has been mixed. While I deeply appreciate the incorporation of religion into the curriculum—it’s one of the main reasons we chose this school—there are several areas that need serious improvement.One of the most concerning issues is the constant pressure for financial contributions. Both the school and the church regularly request money, citing debt and financial difficulties. This creates stress for many families and raises questions about financial management.Academically, the school falls short. My child has been enrolled for three years and has shown little to no academic improvement. The Student Success Center (tutoring program) is limited and primarily focuses on reading, offering no real support in other subjects. Teachers are often upset if parents try to supplement their child’s education at home, which is disheartening, especially when the classroom progress is minimal.Bullying is a major problem here. Despite bringing concerns to both the principal and assistant principal, nothing is done. It feels like the administration turns a blind eye to the issue, leaving students unprotected.Some teachers seem unqualified or simply uninterested in teaching. On top of that, the focus on religion (which I do value) seems to crowd out time for core subjects, leaving students underprepared in areas like math, science, and writing.As for the extended care program, there is a troubling practice of hiring individuals whose families are major donors to the church, regardless of their qualifications. I’ve personally witnessed these staff members mishandle their responsibilities and fail to properly care for young children.In summary, while the religious instruction is a strong point, the academics, administration, and staffing decisions need significant improvement. I hope the school takes these concerns seriously and makes changes for the better.