Courreges (Roch) Elementary School

This is a fantastic school. My daughter has been in Courreges since kindergarten and is now in second grade. The quality of the teachers is phenomenal and that is reflected in the academic achievement of the children in this school. The classroom atmosphere is focused on studying and also on nurturing the individuality of each child. The teachers do a tremendous job of paying attention to every student in the classroom even if they have over 30 kids per class. The school has a great library, access to technology and teaching resources and because there are so many great parents who are willing to help, Courreges has thrived even in light of deep statewide budget cuts. My son is in a private pre-school and I cannot wait for him to go to Courreges next year. This school is much better than the private institutions and our children are very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the Courreges family.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is finishing 2nd year. I agree the school can definitely benefit fr a nicer front staff. Maybe it's just her strong personality; after all, she is the 1st person you see before entering the school. My son will be going to Newland school for pre-K, the adm staff is sweet. The teachers, favoritism is absolutely present, for kids whom parents volunteer. I m a PTA member, a FT working parent, fr the bottom of my heart, I applause those parents who able/willing to help out in the classroom. Fr a couple of school events I attended, I can see that they genuinely care about the kids. I guess it s okay that their kids get a little more attention fr the teachers; however, kids are very smart, they can sense that. My daughter loves school and her teachers. I am happy. As for fund raiser, every shool has it. I participate as much as I can (more so since I can t donate my time in the class room). The school gets lots of $ from the Jog-a-thon. However, your child can t go in to the prize room if he/she does not meet a limit of $150. We managed to raise about $100 for the last 2 years, but it s hard to tell your child why she does not get to go to the prize room.
--Submitted by a parent

I also had a terrible experience with this school. The front office staff is unbelievable! I was spoken to rudely on the phone and in person. How can a Principal allow this to happen? How are the teachers allowed to speak to our children when we're not there? I know of atleast 5 other parents who had the same experience. The kindergarten teachers seemed qualified but not too compassionate.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to this school since he started Kindergarten. I am amazed at the input I have read so I needed to voice what I have seen at this school. I do not work so am able to help in the classroom. I have been so pleased with all the involvement from other parents and he has always loved his teachers. I could not be more pleased with this school and feel so thankful that he is there. The negative input that is bringing this school down has nothing to do with the teaching quality of the teachers. This is a great school!!
--Submitted by a parent

I submitted my child's application based on API scores, reviews & meeting the principal. Her knowledge & advice was amazing. However my child was an interdistrict transfer & my experience was awful. The district was helpful but when it came to the admin staff at this school they were rude & unfriendly. I spoke to a particular individual on numerous occasions & she was consistently rude. I gave her the benefit of the doubt that she was having a bad day... but no, the treatment she gave me was consistently disgusting. She kept telling me that they are full and unlikely that there would be space. At one point we had an offer on a home in the district. I called to check the availability, she didn't know who I was, but she knew I would be living near the school. Then she was super nice and said they have not turned a resident away. I was shocked that someone discriminated so easily. I couldn't take the chance not having a space so I registered my child in private school. She called me in August to say the school has space. It gave me great pleasure to tell her that I don't need the space & I am so relieved that I don't have to speak to her or see her everyday at school.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, we were happy with the School, until we found out that one of our child's teachers was playing favorites towards some children of PTA parents. On the other hand she was ignoring and awfully unfair and very impatient toward some other students. Our child sensed the unfair treatment by that teacher and was greatly affected by it. Fortunately, our child was treated fairly by the other teacher, who was there for the beginning of the week and always took initiative to solve problems among the youngsters.
--Submitted by a parent

Mixed feelings on this one. Plan to spend plenty of time with your student after school. If you do not have the time bite the bullet, forgo the extended daycare at the school and go strait to a private school for the personal attention to your student. The parents here are warm and friendly. I did not participate in the PTA. The front desk and office manager is the worst experience of all..Poor listening skills and rude.The principle seems OK and communicates well with your questions and the teacher this year was great, however absent a great deal. I will be going private school next year for more personal attention to my student,longer class time and better focus,return on the fundraising.You are like a cash register at this at school
--Submitted by a parent

Funny how some people see it different. This school has changed but changed but changed for the better. Change will be good for this school and it was time to get out of the old group and move some new blood in. The teachers are happy and the students will benefit even more. I think this will help with new parent involvement. The outgoing president was clueless and not following budget or time lines this year and hence a new person stepped up. The prior leadership did an outstanding job by opening the doors of communication with us staff members..
--Submitted by a teacher

The school is a solid school to have your kids in. It is very academic-oriented but teachers are good at finding balance in the classroom and the extra activities like music and art masters help greatly (although there is talk that district funding is threatening music which is awful). The PTA is a nightmare at this school-it's worse than the dynamics you'd see amongst middle school girls. A new president just suprisingly got elected for the next year by bringing friends to vote and has made it very clear he has no intentions of being around or active-and has a very abrasive nature which is causing extreme discord amongts parents and teachers who are questioning quality of the PTA. Things were finally getting on track with former PTA pres. stepping down and the vp stepping in-who was putting out fires & now it's all drama. Thank god for the teachers here.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, the school is as great as everyone says. I also agree with the observations about working parents not being able to get involved but I think that's probably normal. We were quite happy here until one of my kids started having some trouble acedemically. They basically told me to figure it out for myself. I got absolutely zero help from the school. Zero. Now I pay several hundred $$$ per month fopr an outside tutor. If I hadn't been able to do that my child would never have caught up. If you have great students and lots of time and don't have to work....you're going to be in great shape!
--Submitted by a parent