Willard Elementary School

5 out of 5! I have two kids at Finch and have loved every teacher. Both of my kids have needed extra help with reading and the school recognized and adressed it immediately. My kids have improved so much. There's such a great parent community and there are a ton of great extra curricular options as well. They feel right at home and the school feels safe and loving.

My son has been bullied for over a year at this school. Multiple times in 2023 a student has bullied my son and even threatened him with a pair of scissor to his head. This school has done nothing to make the classroom a safe space for my son. The principal will smooth talk you into believing they will take care of the problem but they won't even remove the other child from the same class room. We are contacting the superintendent and school bord and removing my son from the school

My youngest have been in attendance here for that last three years. My son's previous schools just let him slide through the cracks so that when he entered 3rd grade at ridgeview he couldn't read or write!! The staff and Mrs Johnson were incredible! They got my son back on track with his peers. I don't know how they do it but they are excellent at making sure every child is individually loved unconditionally. Thanks to Ridgeview my son is back on the right foot and will be completing his last year of elementary there. They also offer a lot of exclusive opportunities and engagement for children that attend a public school and may not have experienced these activities otherwise (ie safety bicycle classes, free ski/snowboard lessons, and many other opportunities). I can't say enough good things about the principal and her staff.

It’s refreshing to find a Catholic school that focuses on what is important - teaching students how to read, write and do math, all intertwined with the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith. Teaching is done in the rhetorical style, so the children are engaged. They are held accountable here, not enabled. They will study Latin and grammar, and the beauty of nature studies. They will be exposed to classical and sacred music. Children will learn the history of Western Civilization and why it matters. Classrooms are clean and orderly and free from distraction. The school offers an authentic pre-K Montessori program that fits well with a classical model of teaching. The St. Charles leadership understands the end goal of developing children who can think critically and live out the Catholic faith - and strive for sainthood. Grateful St. Charles is an option for our family.

As someone who attended this school for 7 years, I can say that if you want your child to grow up to be a self sufficient and independent teenager/adult, this school is great. This school shaped the person I am today and I firmly believe that if I had gone to a different school I would not have been as successful as I am. One of My main criticism for this is school is the ratio of students to teacher (30-1 in my experience) because at times is definitely limited how much individual attention and aid you could get from your teachers. I guess you could also see the positives in that as it can teach you to use critical thinking and solve your own issues, but it can be challenging if you are not that kind of person. While at times I did not love attending this school, I think in the long run it really will help your child become a self motivated and open minded person.