Thoreau Elementary School

We moved schools for my son, all is good in DLI but for studnets of color who are in the ELI program or students with behavioral needs they are pushed to the sides. Staff cares but the violence and behavioral problems are deeply concerning. Equity is a huge problem at this school. Restorative justice is not being implemented in an affective fashion.

We have had two different children attend Midvale Elementary. The first child entered in 1st grade, which was during Covid. After a few weeks, the school reached out to us to let us know that our child couldn't read. I knew this already, but I was glad the school identified it. Our child was provided with a one on one reading specialist 4 days per week until they reached the expected level they needed to. Now they are in 6th grade and reading above grade level.Our younger child has had an amazing time at Midvale. They have ADHD and the teachers have been accommodating, working with us to find ways to engage our child without punishing them for the activity level they have. I have been very happy with all of the teachers that my children have had.The school has an amazing music teacher and amazing art teacher (who just retired). The PE teacher Ms. Mo is fantastic. I've been very impressed that all children receive swimming education as well as bicycling education. Not every school offers that but those are important skills for children to learn.

The education is great!, but the teachers and principal is not! The lack of communication and respect for parents is unbelievable! The lack of English when you’re trying to communicate with the teachers about students and getting weird responses back or no response at all is so unprofessional! Also, they need to have more teachers who don’t just speak Spanish. They need diversity! This saddened me because I know this is a great school the teachers are making it bad, the lack or respect and different backgrounds! The lack of communication and responses is terrible! I hope it improves or I will remove my children. This school doesn’t make every parent feel welcomed!

Pros: involved families, nice building, some wonderful teachers but several are leaving after this year so hard to say what following year will beCons: lackluster curriculum (star360 scores dropped dramatically for our students after switching to a classical curriculum), teachers don’t stay, families don’t stay, principal lacking in leadership skills and basic communication, weak policies, lack of resources in assisting students with learning needs, overall supervision of students, principal doesn’t anticipate needs and is often dismissive when concerns arise