Ursa Major Elementary School

As the 2011-2012 school year comes to an end, I will say that I am not impressed with this school over all. The class sizes in K have gone back and forth from 25 to 22 students thru out the year. The teachers seem a bit overwhelmed with the large class sizes. Also I feel like the academics standards are low; my daughter spent the first half of the year coloring. She was doing more in the preschool we came from. Now at the very end of the year we are finally starting with simple math and reading and handwriting. There are also a lot of behavioral problems at this school that seem to get pushed aside, and from reading other reviews I can see that this is an ongoing problem for the past few years. The bulling is out of control. The parents and staff need to get together and find a solution. As we look on to 1st grade I see the same thing large classes with lots of behavior problems. The principal needs to get his teacher the support they need and have a better working relationship with the PTA not just tell people this is how he wants it and that s it. I don't care for the principal or the assistant principal at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went there for 4th grade in 2009 I enjoyed his teacher Ms. DeBoli, she was very helpful to his education. I did not like however how the school handling bulling. It was being pushed off until I reported it to the police on base. Bringing my son from a magnet to public was a hard change all the work he had already done in a lower grade, but his teacher did make adjustments on her own that really helped him stay at a comfortable level.
—Submitted by a parent

Ursa Major has great teachers but the student /teacher ratio is too large. The school lunches are not very good. The school counsler dose not care about the students and will not do any one on one time with the students. The principal is very rude to the students, parents and staff. Being on a a military base the school needs a principal and counsler who cares and can handle the community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children that attended Ursa Major for the past two years. I really like all the teachers. I have gotten to know many of them through volunteering and subbing at the school. All the teachers at this school put the students first. I feel they do their best to give each student a wonderful classroom experience although the class sizes are too large. The teachers revived little support from the principal and she lacks the ability to discipline or communicate with parents. She will not be returning to Ursa Major next year so I hope the new principal is better. A lot of the staff and PTA work hard to offer programs to get parents involved in their children's school and create a community environment.
—Submitted by a parent

WIll having my daughter attend ursa major for 2 years and then get PCS to another school. No don't get me wrong Ursa Major is a good school overall with their academic goals 'the best' they jsut have some teachers that are not experience to be a teacher for a elementary school. But now being in another state I wish I was back at Ursa Major.
—Submitted by LaShanda smith, a parent

I am not impressed with my son's teacher at the school and the principal isn't very accessible. I came in twice to talk to her and the secretary almost seemed to screen any request to talk to her. Basically, I haven't had a conversation with her other than 'hello.' However, with all this being said, I do see positive interaction in the hallways with other teachers. The music teacher seems really energetic and positve.
—Submitted by a parent

Nothing but GREAT experiences at this school. Loved all the teachers that my daughter was lucky to have. Living on post and around the military can be hard on kids expecially during deployments, but the teachers and staff were very supportive of the kids and knew how to make them feel better and deal with life during the deployments of their parents. I would recommend this school over and over!
—Submitted by a parent

I've only had good experirences with this school. My daughter's teachers are really supportive. The office staff are friendly and helpful. And being on post, they are geared toward military families. I would recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent

School is good. Second and first grade teachers are very helpful. They have a great programs for gifted kids as well as those who need a little extra help. My kids like it and they are vvery quick to jump in and put a halt to any bullying.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarden teacher is good, but school overall is not what i expected. Food is bad, yard duties arent' paying attention, no serious punishment.
—Submitted by a parent