The John Cooper School

Great school! My children have attended this school for six years total and we love it! Teachers are kind and caring and my kids come home happy with many fun stories about their school day!

Powell has been a great experience. We moved here the summer before our kids started 3rd grade and it could not have been a better experience. Everyone has been so welcoming, our kids made fast friends, and most importantly - they love their teachers and are thriving.

As parents who are both highly educated professionals, we take our child’s development and well-being very seriously. That’s why our experience with David Elementary School, specifically in one kindergarten classroom, was so deeply concerning and we feel compelled to share our experience, specifically regarding a kindergarten teacher, Amy Perez.Our son attended this school for just three weeks in 2024, and it was one of the most difficult and distressing experiences our family has gone through. In that short time, we saw a dramatic change in him. He lost interest in activities he had always loved—soccer, tennis, and art—and began having emotional outbursts that were completely out of character. He became withdrawn and no longer seemed like himself.What made this even more concerning is that he never complained during that time. He is a kind and sensitive child, and it wasn’t until months later, after we had already transferred him back to private school, that he shared that his teacher had been yelling at him.The transformation after leaving was immediate. Within a week of returning to a supportive environment, he was back to his joyful, engaged self—excelling again in sports, art, and academics. He is a bright, bilingual child who reads and speaks both English and Russian, and thrives when treated with encouragement and respect.As parents, we were deeply troubled not only by his experience but also by the final note we received from the "teacher" stating that he “lacked social skills.” This did not reflect the child we know, nor the child he quickly returned to being once removed from that environment.Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and respected at school. Unfortunately, that was not our experience here.

I have very mixed feelings about this school. On the positive, the school is very safe, clean, and kids seem to be very respectful. Large class sizes as you would expect in a Catholic school unfortunately. However, there are some disappointing politics within the administration. For instance, the new principal appears to show favoritism toward certain parents. Parents should be cautious about voicing concerns regarding teachers or curriculum, as doing so can result in being quietly excluded from volunteering opportunities or serving as a room parent—even if concerns are raised respectfully. While the school promotes a strong “family” message, families who speak up about certain issues often feel punished instead. I have two children enrolled here, and many parents share the impression that there is a culture of fear and favoritism stemming from the top of the administration.The teachers are very strict, with discipline being at the center of focus. I would not suggest coming here for early ages, as many teachers are not warm and welcoming to little children.