Crystal Springs Elementary School

Horrible school. They have the worst communication with families. They use ParentVue to communicate about everything. You will get 100 post about things you don’t care about and zero posts about things like yearbooks and bell schedule changed, you know important things. Office staff are rude. I once tried to bring snacks to my kid’s class and the office lady wouldn’t even let me sign in to take them to class. These were snacks the teacher asked for and here’s the office staff gatekeeping me out of the classroom. It’s clear the school is out of money from the dirty carpet, hazardous parking lot full of pot holes, and lack of creative art. Classrooms are full of kids who bully other children. Teachers can’t control their students or manage to send proper communications home. We should have pursued a private school.

This elementary school has one of the most unsafe playgrounds compared to other schools in the neighborhood. Although money is regularly spent on maintenance, the playground equipment is extremely outdated. The swing sets are very old and frequently fall apart. There are exposed metal pieces and splinters under the structures, and there are not enough woodchips to cushion falls. As a result, children have been injured, including broken arms and legs.My own child suffered a head injury from an old swinging pole that has reportedly been there since the 1960s. Despite these obvious safety issues, the Northshore School District did not appear to conduct adequate inspections or take action.Instead, the PTA had to organize fundraising efforts just to repair and replace some of the playground equipment. At the same time, the district recently spent millions of dollars to build an upper soccer field with advanced water drainage, while the playground itself still floods.This raises serious concerns about priorities and oversight. When the Michael Tolley visited the school, it felt more like a public appearance than a genuine effort to address the safety problems. The explanation given was that this school was simply not selected for playground renovation.When I went to the school to document the unsafe conditions with photos, the vice principal followed me around, which felt intimidating.In addition, a child who pushed my child and caused harm was never disciplined. Meanwhile, parents of the injured child, along with the PTA, requested improvements to make the playground safer for students. Those concerns were dismissed as merely an “unfortunate” event.Children deserve a safe place to play. The ongoing neglect of this playground and the lack of accountability from the district are deeply concerning.

This place is wonderful. They make you feel like your at home

My child enjoys going to this school.

Our family has been a part of Heritage Christian Academy for three years now, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about this school. My 6-year-old daughter absolutely loves it here, and so do we as parents. From the moment we joined, it has felt like more than just a school—it is a community that truly cares about its students.One of the standout features is the smaller teacher-to-student ratio, which is an incredible 15:1 in kindergarten. This allows for more personalized attention, and it is clear that the teachers take full advantage of this opportunity to connect with each child. My daughter has thrived academically and emotionally because of this nurturing environment.The teachers at Heritage Christian Academy are exceptional, but I want to give a special mention to Ms. Collins. She goes above and beyond to make sure her students feel valued and supported. Her genuine care and dedication are truly heartwarming, and I know my daughter feels loved and encouraged every single day.Heritage Christian Academy is truly more than perfect, and we are so grateful to be part of this amazing school. It is a blessing to watch our daughter grow and flourish in such a caring and enriching environment. We highly recommend this school to any family looking for a place where children can thrive both academically and personally.