Sun Terrace Elementary School

I wrote the 5-star review dated 12/7/09. I did not want to change that review since my son attended the school for 6 years and we felt the overall experience was great (with the exception of his final year). The first 5 years were under a different principal, Mrs. Smith, who cared about each student and family. My opinion of the school has since changed. With Ms. Jacobs, the new principal, the school has gone downhill. She is rude to children and parents alike. I withdrew my daughter from the school last year (and would have withdrawn my son had he not graduated), as I did not want her to experience such a dictatorship, where the principal truly does not care about what is best for the children. I was a committed parent and treated terribly. My children were picked on by the principal as well. As this is still our neighborhood school, I have the best of hopes for Sun Terrace, but the first step in improving the atmosphere and student/parent experience is to remove the current principal.
--Submitted by a parent

I used to love this school...I really miss Mrs. Smith. My 21 yr old sister, my 17 yr old brother, my 14 yr old daughter, and my 13 yr old brother all went through this school and now my 7 yr old son goes there..and up until 2 years ago when the new principal came along things were good. But from then on it went down hill. She makes rules up as she goes along and does not advise them to anyone. It is what pertains to her at that moment and at that time. She makes rude comments to the parents, kids and even the teachers...but they are too scarred to speak up! She does not inform anyone of the changes and expects it to be OK but it is NOT! For instance we lost our keys 1 morning and my son was late I explained it to them (in the office) and i was told it was NOT EXCUSED because that is her school policy. And then because the tardy was not excused he got study hall for being tardy. Something is not right here! I have had no issues with the bulling but with the new principal yes I have!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I have had 3 older boys who have graduated from there and now I have 2 more there 4 th grade and K, and they love it. I do miss the principal Ms. Smith she was the best. The staff is very friendly. I was reading some of the other comments below. And about the bullies, my children has never had this problem. And the school has mixed races. If it was my child I would confront the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Sun Terrace Elementary School is a safe school where all children are valued. The school has 3 rules: Be safe, be respectful, and be responsible. All adults on campus truly care about children.

this is the worst school hands down. The kids at this school are bullies, and the staff does little to nothing about it. They do have some good teachers, but for the most part, the students run the school. Gang violence is in full effect, which is why they must now wear uniforms. As a parent, I hate that my Daughter has to go here. She is an overflow student, which means she apparently must go to the worst school in the district. My older Son went here for 4 years, and he was beaten up and bullied the entire time because he is bi-racial. I couldn't work with the other parents, as they didn't even show up to resolve the matter. I finally moved out of this horrible area, and now my daughter is forced to go there again.
--Submitted by a parent

Sun terrace used to be a great school. my 4th grader has been bullied and dragged into the restroom and beatup by the same group of 4 kids several time this year. the new principle is not doing an adequate job keeping students safe and an even less adequate job of providing services that are supposed to be supplied due to IEP/504 plans. Sun terrace became a title 1 school at the beginning of this year, the are 4 bus loads of kids coming in from the monument corridor everyday and 250 students whose parents can't prove they live within the schools boundary area. My wife is a teacher for this district yet we cant't even get our son transferred to a safer school, as of 2 weeks ago he started home schooling until we find a good charter school for him.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been going to Sun Terrace for almost 2 yrs now and has had more struggles here than any of her school life. Teachers that i have dealt with are not consistent with notifying parents when there are problems are student is not progressing in class or subject. They wait until the last possible moment to say something. How can parents work with their children if they are not being kept up to speed with the students progress or lack there of. This will be the last year my child attends this school. It's unfortunate for the children the lack of leadership this school exudes.
--Submitted by a parent

Very little interest in students with great qualifications, they focus on the bad students... no extracurricular activities, and a lot of disorder
--Submitted by a parent

I think we need more dicipline at School.
--Submitted by a parent

Sun Terrace is a great school! The Principal, teachers, and staff are all truly dedicated to the students. My son is in his fifth year at the school and although it is a public school struggling with a decreased budget, he has always received the attention and support needed to succeed academically. My complaints are generic and more toward the district and budget: I'd hoped for more extracurricular time (P.E., art, music, etc.), and I'd also love to see more parent participation.
--Submitted by a parent