Madison Richard Simis School

My daughter has attended Simis through kindergarten and is now finishing 1st grade with Ms Atkinson (an extraordinary and exemplary teacher). As a family, choosing the right elementary school and understanding the parental involvement has been a learning process. At Simis, everyone from the front desk staff, principal, teachers, cafeteria staff, gate personell, all the way to the staff and volunteers that help direct traffic, have been nothing less that excellent.The school r eally does go above and beyond to maximize the student's experience. Our daughter has needed extra help with reading, and the appropriate testing was offered and they determined she was having a slight challenge in processing information. The teachers are working together to help her with this, which is very impressive. One of the aspects that has really impressed us, is how the school applies and encourages good behavior. The school is proactive with an anti-bullying initiative, and students are respectful with one another. The parental involvement is incredible, and we have learned the importance of it and that the learning process of our children is a collaborative endeavor.
—Submitted by a parent

Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all... I will NOT be sending my child to this school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I was reading the comments and had to post. To the parent who gave the poor review from December 6, you are not including all the details. You forgot to mention that your child was a huge behavior issue! You failed to mention you moved your child to another Madison school and you are also having behavior issues at that school. Stop blaming the teachers for your issues. Instead realize that YOU and YOUR SON are the issues!!!!

My child has been attending Simis since Kindergarten and is currently in 2nd grade. Our experience has been great since attending. Reading some of the reviews, I question what exactly the parents are look for. Not sure if they had done their research when looking for schools, but it is very ugly at many of the other elementary schools. We had very high expectations especially since our older children went to private school. At Simis, we have seen the consistence of learning between the grades which is what children need. I have no problem with the LEAP program. It is a tool to ensure those who are struggling with reading can get individual attention and not get lost among those who are reading above grade level. Parents must understand it does not fall on just teachers, but the parents as well. My child's teacher get frustrated because parents do not have the children complete their homework packet. Our children education is based on a triange; parent, teacher and child. Become involved. It is your child's education. The principal is awesome. The only complaint I have is the IB program. Not a fan of it, but will wait and see. Our child loves Simis and so do we.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is currently attending 1st Grade at Madison Simis and I have had a very unpleasant experience there. The teacher never sends home work that he has done in class (or any other graded work, for that matter. PLENTY OF FLYERS THOUGH!) and although he has tested into the gifted class, is having to split his time between that class and a regular class. Furthermore, I requested to have his weekly spelling tests after they are graded be sent home so that I can reward him when he gets a hundred percent and the teacher can't seem to accomadate this. After having contacted the principle, I'm finding that they are not working towards having the teacher send home any papers but, rather, are blaming me for his frustrations at school. I am hoping he will get into the Great Hearts Acadamy next year, because I dread what next year would be like if I kept him at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Started off strong, but the more I get to know the school, and the more I learn about their priorities, the less I like. They have instituted a magnet program for IB, which is just advertising and has not positively affected my child at all. Warning, they have also started a program where they "track" students in reading. They call is LEAP, but it's really a way to isolate students into low, medium, and high groups to push their scores. My child is in a high group, but I if they struggled in reading I would have a real issue with this practice. Is just another clue to me what's important here. We'll be searching elsewhere after this year and probably go to Peoria.
—Submitted by a parent

I guess you always get the good with the bad on these reviews. I hope anyone reading these knows that your kid's school is what you make of it, and if you can start with a school that has such a solid foundation and amazing track record - all the better. My two daughters have attended Simis for two years. One is just about to go on to 5th grade in another Madison school because I can't imagine them going ANYWHERE else! I've never had a bad run in with any teachers, staff, or the principle, and I could probably be considered that 'annoying' parent who likes to always know what's going on and how my child is doing. They have always handled my inquiries very well and always to my satisfaction. In fact, I really love how well my children and I have been treated here, and when I meet with other out of district parents, they are always impressed by how well my girls are doing compared to theirs. I've even got a few considering moving just to come to Madison, lol. In short, no school is perfect, but my girls are happy and healthy, I'm pleased with their progress, and I hope new parents can look beyond the crabby Abby's below to consider this amazing school. You won't regret it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had one child attend Madison Simis for the last two years. She transferred from another system of education so there were a lot of adjustments to get her on track in 3rd grade. In 4th grade she experienced some health problems and surgery that kept her out of school for a considerable time. The school accommodated her unique needs incredibly well. Her teachers Ms. Hoon and Ms. Smalley and the entire support system were engaged, professional, skilled, very accessible, helpful, compassionate and caring. They have high expectations for themselves, their students and in the midst of it all she thrived. It is an excellent school and our child has done extremely well. Madison Simis s seasoned, experienced, flexible teachers, entire staff and community contribute to what makes this school so special. Dr. Flowers is a very accessible principal who seems to work hard to continually improve the school. The front office staff is excellent and always helpful. The level of parent involvement is astonishing. New parents and children are welcomed and included warmly and it has been very rewarding to watch the children grow, interact and learn together within the Simis community.
—Submitted by a parent

I was so turned off by Dr. Flowers that we decided against having our child start attend kindergarten next year, even though we have family members attending now. At both the school tour and the kindergarten round-up she really rubbed me the wrong way. Going on and on and on about out of district kids needing to take the bus was an unbelievable waste of time and then putting down the half day program over was frankly disturbing. At the round-up when the question of whether they had the interest level to include the half day K she actually said (and this is almost verbatim) Yes, but I would like to caution you that every one of our full day K students is reading at great level but 10 out of 40 in half day are not. Shouldn't that WORRY them and not us? What a slam on the half day teacher and does she realize the interpretation of that is if you don't pay for full day K you are putting your child at risk for falling behind. What a guilt trip! We are overlooking ease, familiarity and positive feedback from parents because I cannot wrap my mind around the principals condescending attitude. I am thrilled with our charter school choice and Simis needs to realize there are other options.

My two kids went to Simis and as a family we cannot say enough great things about the teachers and leadership of the school. Both my kids thrived at Simis. From top to bottom, everyone cares about the well being of the students. There is a place for working and non-working parents to be involved. It is the overwhelming parental involvement that makes Simis such a great school. These parents understand that it takes a village to raise an excelling school!
—Submitted by a parent

Madison Simis is the flagship school of the District and the entire staff and community contribute to what makes this school so special. Dr. Flowers is a very accessible principal who works hard to continually improve the school. The school is currently going through the IB application process and it is an excellent fit for the school. My kids have and will be moving to the middle school so will not reap the benefits of the IB program at Simis. I really wish Simis was a K-8 school. I love the community, the teachers and the entire staff. I will miss the wonderful sense of community you feel when you are an involved parent helping the children, the teachers and the staff and community. The PTO works hard and longs for greater involvement from working and non-working parents. The PTO does a lot to make the teachers and staff feel appreciated at Simis. Simis also has an amazing gardening program that is organized and run by all parent volunteers. The gardening program is integrated into the child's grade level curriculum and every grade gets the opportunity to grow in the garden. My 6th grader still misses Simis - it is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Madison Simis has a tradition of excellence. The good really stops there. They are very clear. They caare more about how they appear publicly thhan actually educating each child. They are responsive if you know someone in power, but are immoveable if not. My son is in the top of his class, not a behavior and gets special concessions. As a teacher myself I see the vast inequities that surround this school. Simply if you can make the school look good, you get the red carpet. If not, well, move so someone can. This all stems from Dr. Flowers who is, to put it simply, looney bins. I feel bad, but mh child will be moving on to another district after this year.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school, filled with caring teachers. The principal, however, is a real piece of work! It will be a better time when she leaves or retires. The school has become overcrowded, but they are soon to open a new cafeteria and music room. Most parents are very involved, and the teachers seem to really like being there. *Note to District administrators...get a new principal. She acts nice, but is not!
—Submitted by a parent

Our child transferred to Simis just this last year and it has been amazing! He's a good kid and he did well at this old school (was in the gifted program) but we had to move and we were delighted to find a school that was rated so highly near the area we wanted to be. He hasn't had any trouble keeping up with the material, and I don't feel like he is being pressured or pushed in any way. They expect a little more behaviorally from the kids than his old school, but I think I prefer that anyway - he's been better behaved at home, too. I haven't yet had any problems with the administration or teachers. They all seem very nice, very involved, and have always communicated well. I don't feel like there is any extreme behind-the-scenes administration drama here so far, but I guess that's hard to tell. The principal seems nice, and sincere. Maybe my kid is one of the 'normal' ones who 'fit in the box' like some jaded reviewer mentioned, but this school has been perfect for him.
—Submitted by a parent

With school choice growing every year, I have researched options for all three of my children as they approached their elementary school years. Every time, I determined that Simis was the best school. The faculty is outstanding, a great mix of seasoned teachers with years of experience under their belts and new teachers who are tech savvy and bring great new ideas and high energy. I have seen the teachers successfully and nimbly adapt to the changing demands on education and their students in the six years that my children have been at the school. This is a school that is not afraid to try something new, teacher collaborate well and expectations are high. I truly believe the constructivist approach Simis uses will best prepare my children for the global job market they will face. And the school-wide gardening program ROCKS!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son was going to Simis and will not be attending next year. There is a lack of communicate from the Teacher and the Administration. Our son received an extreme amount of homework and didn t seem to be learning in the classroom. Our son was excelling in math and reading but by the end of the school year he was barely meeting his targets. We requested information about paying for a private tutor or resources to get our son back on track and got no help from the school. Unfortunately, it seems Simis is no longer cares about educating children.
—Submitted by a parent

My child went here for K-4. I have two major areas of concern. My child has some learning issues and after several requests for an eval, one was finally done in fourth grade. They identified areas of weakness but a determination was made that there were no learning disabilities. Outside testing by 2 speech and lang therapists and an occupational therapist proved otherwise. The teachers were very open to the evals of the out of school testing and used this information to help her learn. However the school provided no remediation other that what the teachers did. If your child fits into the box, your child will succeed well at Simis. If not you need to be a diligent advocate for your child and volunteer through the parent organization so you know what is really going on at SImis. My other issue with Simis is the principal. She has very little leadership qualities. She has her favorite teachers and her favorite activities. She picks petty little fights with those who spend hours of time volunteering through the parent organization. Thank goodness that my child has had exceptional teachers in spite of the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is excellent! I enrolled my oldest son at Simis two years ago and is currently in 2nd grade. My 2nd son is currently in Kindergarten and my 3rd son will be in Kindergarten this fall 2011. I love how the teachers interact with my children and they are giving my kids best education they need. I am impressed with this school's excellency! Good job, Simis!
—Submitted by a parent

Simis has really gone downhill! Simis has gone from caring about its students to caring only for its outward appearance. A good portion of Simis families have left & moved on to Madison Traditional Academy. I ve learned that 40% of children attending Simis are out of the district. I have spoke with several Simis mothers whose older children, now at Meadows, attended Simis just a few years ago. Now these same moms have their younger children at Simis & they re very disappointed. One mother told me she was discouraged from helping in her 1st grade daughter s room. Another Simis mom told me the principal is horrible. I was told that if you re a free thinker & have any opinion other than hers to watch out, she will not help you in any way & go out of her way to be rude & make you feel extremely uncomfortable. I m districted
—Submitted by a parent

I loved my elementary years at SImis! THe teachers were fun and really knew how to get kids learning. THe AEP teacher and class was excellent for those who like challenges and want to learn. I am glad that I got to attend there as a kid.