Vergennes Uhsd #5

All of my children have attened the Ark Preschool Kindergarten. The school prepares children to enter into the Primary schools at a high standard. The school has a reputation for excellence throughout the public school community. The teachers and staff care about the children and want to have the children strive in all areas of development. They have the children do a variety of activities in and outside of the classroom. The only drawback truly is that the school does not continue past kindergarten. I would highly recommend this school.

The School and the district seem to be challenged with the same issues as noted in previous comments in this string over the last decade. The Ferrisburgh school building is surpassing 60 plus years of age and has long been demonstrating it has outlived its life cycle. Each year the local taxes continue to rise to support a system where the district has seen declining enrollment. Regrettably the area resists merging to save jobs and the academic offering at the classroom level. To compound the issue "unsettling clicks" of students, parents and teachers have formed to oppose any progressive movement to enhance, the mantra of "don't change and keep things the same" is the active thinking. If you are considering this area for relocation look deeper.

This is a great elementary school. The teachers and administrators are very dedicated and caring. The PE program is amazing, with swimming, ice skating, XC skiing, rollerblading, a ropes course, etc. The whole school participates in a summer or winter Olympics every other year with opening & closing ceremonies. Each class “becomes” a country and competes in events while classmates cheer. They learn about the countries, take the Olympic pledge of sportsmanship, and even experience different foods in the cafeteria. The school also puts on wonderful concerts, dance shows, sporting and academic events. Students with special needs are 100% included and receive top notch instruction. The facility is inviting, with a nice library, gym, and playgrounds. After school and vacation care is available as well as enrichment opportunities (such as cooking, game clubs, music, sewing, and homework help). Communication with families is frequent and teachers are all responsive to emails and phone calls. The school is in the center of the small town, on the same campus as the middle/high school and all the schools are easy and safe to walk or bike to from anyplace in Vergennes.