Central Park at Morning Star

We have recently transferred to this school due to rezoning and have been very pleased. We loved our home school and were reluctant to change but have been warmly welcomed by our child's teacher and the administration. They have made every effort to get all students engaged and involved as if they have always been there. The only exception has been the office staff. The tone they set for visitors is cold and stand-offish. There are a number of parents who will not participate in PTO or volunteer in their children's classrooms because the do not want to have to deal with the hostility of the office staff. They are often complaining loudly about other parents or teachers and rarely acknowledge parents when they enter. When they do, parents often feel as if they are interrupting something or have done something wrong. It's a shame because Central Park has been a wonderful experience otherwise. Hopefully, administration will take notice and correct this issue so that people's first impression of CPE is as wonderful as it should be!
—Submitted by a parent

Perhaps there should be less eavesdropping and more direct conversation if there are legitimate concerns. Hiding behind an anonymous post defaming someone's character is libel. I happen to work in the building and know first hand what a positive influence she has had in so many ways. If someone is listening around the corner, chances are that they are not hearing all of the information and really have no right to make posts that could be taken as fact and used against her. She has undoubtedly walked into a very difficult situation last year and handled it with grace and dignity. She is very easy to talk to and I'm sure she would be more than happy to address or rectify concerns. Sites like this are dangerous because they are based on hearsay, not fact. It's a shame that people spend their energy this way rather than on finding ways to be truly helpful.
—Submitted by a teacher

Disappointed! Recently moved to NWA and feel that this site gave false information. I have a special needs child and this school district seems ill prepared to support these students. Most parents I've met thus far with special needs children have pulled their children out of the public school system to home school. They do not use their funding to place aides in the classrooms to allow for the least restrictive environment, instead pull you child out to further separate from peers and teach WAY below capabilities of student. Training and education of school staff is a serious problem! If your employer is trying to lure you here, insist on a private school allowance if your child has any sort of special needs! My child is high functioning, but we are loosing ground each day. We had seen an article by the superintendent expressing how they are focused on special needs, in hind sight he was admitting they need to, not that they are currently prepared for it. I would not have relocated had I known!
—Submitted by a parent

One word for this school "WOW": Great Leadership Great Staff Great District My child is so blessed to have such a committed group at this school. It starts with leadership and the admin team provides a caring enviroment that my child is in love with! Thank you to the Principal and Vice Principal, I have personally noticed the "extra" after hour times your cars are at the school!! That extra touch has paid and continues to produce great returns for the children and my child for sure!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! Wonderful teachers. Lots of parental involvement. Well-educated, high-achieving families. The facility is excellent except for 8 portable classrooms which house the entire first grade. If you are moving into the district don't count on getting in. The school is at capacity with a waiting list. However, a new K-6 building is planned for 2013 or 2014 adjacent to this campus. A 7-8 building is planned following the completion of K-6. The hope is to get a millage passed for a high school in the next several years. Conceivably, all of your children no matter what their ages would be on the same campus.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Central Park for 3 yrs now. And the school is very nice and I thought it was a great school til my son started having trouble with some of the school work. He has been sent into other class rooms and into the office to finish work that he has not completed while the rest of his class continued on with the rest of their day and was not allowed back into his classroom until it was completed. I have continuously asked for extra help from a Resource teacher. Which they tell you they have nothing like that. Some teachers are good. It is a ritzy school. Lots of high class princesses. It is a family oriented school lots of parent participation.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids love going to Central Park. My youngest daughter started out last year (2007-2008) not reading but a handlefull of words. Thanks to the help of the teachers she ended the school year reading at a 2nd grade 6 month level. My son was having problems reading due to speech problems. They helped him getting into speech classes. Now you can notice a major difference in his learning and speech. I wouldn't want my kids anywhere else. Central Park has some of the best, most friendly teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled to have our children attend Central Park. It has been a wonderful experience for our kindergartener and first grader.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Central Park. The quality of teachers and the amount of resources available at CPE is very high. The school has a very effective administrative staff and PTO. The level of parental involvment is tremendous (both moms and dads). The school is only three years old, but has already gained the reputation in NW Arkansas as being one of the best elementary schools in the region. As a result, a lot of parents want their kids here. If you are moving into CPE's district, call the office ASAP to register your child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started as a new 2nd grade student at Central Park this year and was having unexpected major anxiety issue making the transition. The school counselors, principal, teachers and faculty were super! They were understanding and reassuring while helping him to assimilate to his new environment. They used creative techniques to help him handle his anxiety. He is doing great now and loves his new school.
—Submitted by a parent