Withrow Elementary School

Parents need to be parents. It isnot just the teacher's or the school that need to step it up, but the parents need to do their part also. Education starts at home and if a child doesnt learn at home, dont expect them to do any better at school. At this school the level of parental involvement has gone down, but yet the national and academic scores stay the same or go up slightly. Do the math.
—Submitted by a parent

Ok this school really needs to step it up a bit when it comes to kids that need extra help in class! My son is totally lost in class and I feel so bad so I WILL go to the district or even further! ESL is a priority and my son isn't ?
—Submitted by a parent

This school is full of bullies, teachers to parents, there is one parent that is always there harassing other parents to give her rides when you decline she will harass you, she has done this to many, even vandalizing one parents car! Staff did nothing, I assume because her child is considered special needs, the teachers are unwilling to work with kids that need one on one, you either learn as a group or too bad! And the school is made up of 65 percent English learners, I hope it has got better with the new principal I don't know we left prior to that, but be warned beware of a 5"0 220 lbs woman with a dwarf daughter she is NUTS and will stalk and threaten you if you decline to be her taxi I've seen her cause issues for the parents and staff , bulling needs to stop.
—Submitted by a parent

I found the staff to be rude. Too many changes staf now phone numbers. Even just trying to pick your kids up after school is a terror the staff yell and scream 'move it move it' how do they talk to the kids?? Im sorry this school isnt what people make out to be.
—Submitted by a parent

Although the school is attracting attention from meeting all of its goals with regard to the API scores, there is a high percentage of English Learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students at this school, which has made it very difficult for my children to blend. The principal and teachers have been great, but there are not enough resources for the top-achievers because there is so much instruction for the mid- to lower-achieving students.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just completed her first year here at Withrow. We were lucky to have been in the area for this school and not the other sub par local schools. The teachers have been amazing and the academics at this school are truly impressive. I am looking forward to the future when my other daughter will attend. My only complaint would be the rules regarding parent involvement. They are very strict about whom they let on campus, which is a good thing but frustrating for me since I wasn't allowed onto the campus because I have a toddler. Also, my daughter was in PM Kindergarten and they did not have any celebrations for Student of the Month, holiday celebrations, end of the year parties, or any type of graduation. That was a little disappointing. But overall I would have to say that the levels of teaching and education are more than what I could have expected.
—Submitted by a parent

My Son has attended Withrow for 4 years & is in the 3rd Grade. His Homeroom Teachers have been fantastic! I've met many of his other Teachers as well as the Staff, and they've been wonderful also. The API for Withrow has continuously increased by a lot every year which shows how dedicated and involved the Teachers are with the Students and Parents and how committed they've been to Academics. I love everything about this School & have had nothing but great experiences! Keep up the Great work Withrow!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend Withrow, one in Kindergarden & the other in 1st grade. They transferred from Butterfield in January. The office staff and teachers are great. My son (kinder) had a bit of a hard time learning at Butterfield. They couldn't keep his attention on track, but since his transfer he has been doing great! Thank you Withrow!!
—Submitted by a parent

This too is my son's first year at Withrow. I transfered him from Machado, for his fifth grade. I love the principal and his teacher. The only problem with my son is he to has no friends. Nobody likes to play with him. He comes home upset most of the time. Saying kids are picking on him. I told him to be patience. Not all kids are going to like him. He now has maybe one friend. I told him that is all you need. Other than that , love the school....
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year as a school mom and i guess it is going to take a while longer for me to get used to it. I think the school is great, the principal is exceptional and most of the teachers i have had the chance to know are great. The only thing i am not happy with is the overwhelming help for disadvantaged/slow learners, and the lack of opportunity for advanced kids. Although i understand that they have a curriculum to follow.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a new school for my son and he has had a very hard time adjusting and I think that the teachers haven't been as good as help as I think they should be. When a child has to transfer schools in the middle of the year of course they are going to have difficulty making new friends and adjusting to not being able to see the old ones as often but I believe that the teachers should try to make it a little easier by pairing the new student up with a buddy so they can feel at ease.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a kindergarden student and I volenteer at the school so I am able to see the way teachers and students respond at the school. I am extermly happy with withrow and the teaching staff. I am very happy I can be a part of such a wonderful school. I look forward to the many years my son and I have there.
—Submitted by a parent

Withrow is a great school. I have had my daughter here now for 6 years. The teachers are the greatest, of course in the upper grades the teachers seem to lose patience compared with the lower grade teachers, but all in all they are great. The worst thing I have seen is the lack of parental involvement and it really shows in the kids and their school work.
—Submitted by a parent

Some of the most experienced teachers in the district. Always willing to help, and always have the children at the center of their focus. The new principal is much better.
—Submitted by a former student

I have been associated with Withrow for many years and feel we have the best Principal and teachers ever at this time. The principal is involved with the students and the teachers do their best to help all of the students reach their academic or personal skills. I have no negatives about Withrow. Bill Henderson
—Submitted by Bill Henderson, a parent

Teachers go the extra mile to help all the students despite all the budget cut backs and threats by Gov. Arnold.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. The staff is very involved and the parents seem to be, as well. The principal and assistant principal make sure any issues are addressed immediately. The only shortcoming I can see is the lack of extra-curricular activities outside of the GATE program.
—Submitted by Maria Pollock, a parent

Overall, this school has a great teaching and administrative staff. They do the best they can with the resources they are given. Any problems the school may experience is mostly due to state funding not being as readily available as it should be. As a parent that is involved in many aspects with the school and district, I am aware that many students are stuggling and additionally know that parents are the # 1 key to a childs development and success. That cannot be stressed enough! A students struggle with academics is not the complete 'fault' of any educational center. There are many resources available for the children and parents should seek every resouce available. The school has a job to provide a certain amount of direction; parents have a key role in seeing to the childs sucess with the information the school provides.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a Great School. The teachers really do care about the students. There does however need to be more parents involved with their childrens homework and other activities.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so caught up in their status of how well the kids perform on their tests, they treat the ones who need help like dirt.
—Submitted by a parent