Knollwood Preparatory Academy

My daughter will be attending first grade at Knollwood this year and from all the reviews I've read it seems like the school hasn't been good since 2003-2005. I'm terrified!! I am a parent who cares a great deal about my child's education. I applied for a transfer before the year even started and was denied because my reasons weren't good enough. At this point I'm almost willing to quit my job, eat sugar sandwiches for dinner with hot water soup just so I can homeschool to avoid the horrors of Knollwood!!! I hope that my child and I will not have a bad experience as so many others have had. Keeping my fingers crossed for now!!
—Submitted by a parent

it's a small neighborhood community school, so i love that feeling. the families are great, the teachers are good. i love my daughter's Kinder teacher, she is very artistic, crafty, and may not be the best communicator she teaches kids well. the only thing im not too happy about this school are some of the lack of the 'welcoming' friendliness of the office or even yes, prinicipal. thye are not that friendly or welcoming. Sadly the PTA is just "ok", you don't get the welcoming feeling from them... so that's why i never participated in the meetings.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a child in Kinder and also in 3rd grade. My experience with Knollwood for the past 4 years has been wonderful. My 3rd grader has had very nurturing and encouraging teachers for the past 4 years. I am especially pleased with the 3rd grade teachers this year. They have pushed my child and encouraged my child to strive to do better and go above and beyond because they saw his potential. I was given updates and my messages/emails were answered promptly when ever I have had any questions. My kindergardeners' teacher has also been excellent. Very nurturing and easily accessible when I have had any questions or concerns. I wish that there were more teachers like them but i can only hope that they continue to get excellent teachers like them in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

In line with the families that commented on 10/9/11, 10/4/11 and 9/23/11, this ONE infamous teacher is very cold, lacks tact, compassion, and every other quality that I believe a Kindergarten teacher should possess. I ve seen more than once where she reports her complaints to the parent before class or at the time of dismissal, but in front of other parents! A parent should always be informed of their child s wrong behavior, but at the appropriate time and place. Shouting your child s faults in front of other parents is not only humiliating to the child, it shows disrespect to the parent. It shows that you do not care enough to at least pull them aside or take a few minutes after dismissal to discuss your concerns. I believe such behavior is unprofessional and completely unacceptable. I have no doubt that she teaches effectively, but someone with her personality is more fit to teach in a different environment, not in a classroom where you are responsible for innocent children who are just being introduced to education.
—Submitted by a parent

I am sorry to say that I agree with the parents and families dealing with this kindergarten teacher. Most likely the teachear assistants as well. I remember almost 7 years ago when my kids had their first day at Knollwood. Kindergarten teachers were much more caring of the students. Parents were able to stay and help in the morning and interact with the children and teacher. We are talking about 5 year olds! To the "parent" that posted on September 28, 2011, I'm pretty sure if your child was in this classroom, you wouldn't feel this way. We are not talking about teachers at Knollwood. We are talking about "1" kindergarten teacher. I'm sad to say that because of this teacher, Knollwood is being rated with 4 out 5 community stars. Knollwood is a great school and is being tarnished because of "1" teacher. I strongly reccommend the parents of this kindergarten class to contact the superintendent of schools, if they are not satisfied with the teacher, Vice Principal, and Principal. Wish you the best.

I would love to know who this teacher is. Im having the same situation, and my child just got moved from her kindergarten classroom for overflow reasons. Im upset because my daughter had a hard time adjusting the first weeks, and now to do it all over again is inconsiderate of the my child's emotions. No explanation for why she picked my daughter!
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a kindergartener at Knollwood this year too and I am appalled at the comments of the two other kindergarten parents who previously posted. So let me also write some appalling comments to them: get over it! Exercise your right as a parent and find another school where you will get the nurturing you feel you deserve and let the Knollwood kindergarten teachers do their job! Let all the teachers do their job! Complainers like you demoralize them and they do not need that! It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher. My children have had both female kinder teachers and I find them both to be nurturing, hard working and dedicated teachers. I think their cultures play a factor in this. Teachers don t go in to the profession to make money! They teach because they love children and they want to make a difference in their lives! Stop complaining and start thinking about what you, as parents can do to make a difference! Let the teachers do their jobs and stop complaining! It s not about pushing through anything! It s about being part of a solution instead of creating more problems!
—Submitted by a parent

I too am a parent to a kindergartner, and I am pretty sure my child has the same teacher as the parent who posted on 09.23.2011 based on the parent s description of the teacher. I am also the parent who posted on 09.21.2010 & 01.27.2010 regarding my other child s horrible experience in Kindergarten. To be clear, that was with a different teacher who has since retired. While my Kindergartner s teacher is not the worse, she's certainly not the most nurturing either. In my personal opinion, I think her culture plays a factor here. Not to say it is right or wrong, what I can say is this; regarding my three years experience at Knollwood, there will always be fantastic, mediocre and horrible teachers, at any public or private school. You just have to push through it, and before you know the school year is over. Sometimes it becomes more of a learning experience for the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a kindergartner, his teacher has NO emotions and she does NOT communicate with the parents. You ask her a question and her responce is either yes or no with a node. Sge needs to be more outgoing with the children and parents, especially with the CHILDREN !!
—Submitted by a parent

If u care about your child please keep them away from those beasts teaching at knollwood.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous parent. I am notified constantly when PTA mtng happen, but do I get notified when eye exams at the school..so I can prep my little one..no! My childs teacher does nothing but complain how big her class is.when I have concerns I bring to teachers attention..I am not on the playgrnd with the kids...how about, let me find out what is going on and call you??? Or when I went to a teacher that was selling $1 items and my child came home with 2 of them..she had $20..where is the change? The teacher said 'there are so many kids in and out of here I don't know who she paid' I agree that the staff is lazy and complacent...in fact I HAVE enrolled my child at another school for next year!
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is more concerned with what's going on with the Dodgers than what is happening in the school. She is hardly ever available. The office is very unorganized. The website calendar is never, ever updated (I don't even know why they have a website if as a parent I can't rely on the information to be available) Office adminstration is very rude and lazy. They expect more out of the parents than they are even willing to do. My child had to change three classes in one year. If they had done their job over the summer and their organizational skills were up to par the child wouldn't have to go through that many changes. Pick up and drop off area is a horror! Someone is going to get run over one day. I can't stress enough for you to avoid sending your children to this school if possible.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school with a diverse group of students. It has so many programs available and the teachers are great!
—Submitted by a parent

Knollwood Elementary has changed so much over the years. There are several special programs incorporated into the school year related to the arts and curriculum that enrich our children's education. Many of the teachers are very dedicated and go above and beyond to help in the success of our children. The parental involvement every year has increased greatly. This has enabled the PTA to help fund many educational and exciting programs, events, and technological advances. I am glad that the parents have taken an active role in their children's education and that the principal supports and encourages this. It is the beginning of a new school year and already it shows so much promise. We are proud to be a part of the Knollwood School family!
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know who the previous parent is but what I like about the school is that the parents don't run the school. It is a partnership with the teachers, parents and administrators working together to provide the best education for our kids!
—Submitted by a parent

After 3 years at this school, I am very dissapointed as the school is run by the pta and not the principal. I no longer want my kids to attend this school after we been pushed around more than once. I must say we will miss some of the teacher, but not all of them!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I did not have the best experience at this school. Some of the staff are mean and not friendly. Principle is approachable and understanding. some of the teacher assistants are below the average and do not have any sense for teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

What a tremendous disappointment the State Preschool was at this school. The curriculum was not geared for kindergarten preparedness -- books for 1 and 2-year-olds were being used and my daughter was terribly bored. The health and safety issues were of even greater concern with children playing in flower beds before class and then eating the District-provided meal with dirty hands, broken planters with exposed nails left unattended, and the unavailability of a sanitary and preschooler-friendly bathroom for use before class. When my daughter said she didn't want to return because the teacher kept yelling at the kids, I didn't hesitate to remove her from the program. We just couldn't wait for the District ECE administrators to make things better.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 3rd year at Knollwood, Mrs Cummins e grade 2 and Mrs Cikara level K are exceptional and dedicated. The school food menus are unreliable so my kids take their own lunches. The school dropped violin lessons , a big disappointment. Overall,a friendly neighborhood school, great teachers and nice principal.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at this school and although he has only been there for 2 weeks, the feedback from him has been all positive. I was impressed with the Principle during our orientation. She seemed laid back and very approachable. I look forward to the rest of the year.
—Submitted by Tracy, a parent