Parkside Elementary

I’ve had 4 kids attend Orem Elementary, and it’s truly a hidden gem. This is a school with a strong sense of welcoming and community, many parents actually know one another, and there’s a genuine "village" atmosphere. It’s clear the admin and teachers make a visible, concerted effort to improve both the learning and social-emotional standing of the school, and care about the success of all students. Plus they offer ALL (advanced learning lab) which has been wonderful for my children who tend to need more of a challenge academically. They also have early morning ballroom dance program for the older grades. We have loved our time at the school and the relationships both my kids and I have made.

My son started in 2nd grade and just finished 6th grade. I think this school is outstanding. I have found the staff to be competent and well informed. They know my kid's name when I call the office and they don't have to ask for his grade or teacher's name. His personality is flavored with Autism and they are ready for that. They are proactive in helping students accept one another. Pros and cons based on my personal interaction: I helped in the classroom in 2nd&3rd grade. I liked see how the teachers taught and though they did a great job helping students individually in anyway they could. They were backed by great programs outside the classroom that were designed to give students even more help. The 4th grade teacher wasn't used to help and I don't think liked parents much. She was annoying to me, but that's not on the school. Nonetheless, I am confident she did her job well and my son learned well in her class, too.Ultimately, I am pleased and glad he attended this school for the last 5 years.Some of my favorite things that include parents are: the school play (directed by that 4th grade teacher) and the "day of the child" celebration at the end of the year. The music teacher and gym teacher coordinate and the students perform dances and sing. There is a lot of co-teaching and I think that is a great way for the teachers to support one another and strengthens them in what they are able to offer to the students.

My children were transfer students and from my personal experience, it wasn't pleasant as a parent or for my children. The principal was very rude to me, refused to help, was very cold and unfeeling-My daughters first grade teacher yelled at the students regularly and even swore at the class. And my son who was in kindergarten was being bullied by older kids on the bus and came home with bleeding scratch marks on his face and when I told the teacher about it, she told me that my son was a liar and that those kids would never do that without cause. So the kids didn't get in trouble, but my son did...was it because he was new? Was it because the teacher was bias because she'd had those students in her class before? Or was it because my kid is hispanic? Who knows. But it was a terrible school, and I transferred them to another school for the following year.