Olga L. Reed Elementary School

This is my son's second year at Olga Reed and I am very impressed with what he is learning academically. As a teacher myself, I have great expectations for a school and this school shines. The school community is very respectful and the students model this behavior. Kindergarten through 8th grade students show respect for their teachers, fellow classmates and parents at the school. I teach at a much larger school and I see so many benefits of sending my child to a small school in this more sheltered community. Olga Reed has a very diverse population economically and culturally. It also has a high population of second language learners. The teachers have very high expectations for all the students and the children at Olga Reed rise to meet those expectations. The test scores are quite high thanks to the teacher, parents, and staff at the school. Bravo!!
--Submitted by a parent

Olga L. Reed School is blessed with a great campus and many updated facilities. The children in the community are first rate and contribute to the general upkeep and positive environment of the school. Discipline problems remain minor and the small (under250) size of our school gives the staff a chance to know each child and their parents. The staff, with the exception of the interim administrator, has been with the school for many years. Their dedication to excellence has kept the school among the higher scoring schools in the state despite limited funding. Academically, we compare favorably to schools in the larger cities nearby. The added benefit of a fine after school program and staff, led by Janice Chaves, and highly involved parents also contribute to our success. This is a truly great place to learn.
--Submitted by a teacher

I agree that this school is great from K-4th grades. After that, not too sure. They have a new principal who is outstanding. Very hand-on. The school is updating slowly but surely. They have all new computers, an the library has encouraged the kids this last year in accelerated reading. The afterschool program is great. There is a lot of parent involvment. This year they are changing around some f the teachers to different grades, so we will see how that goes. I still feel that they need to find extra funding to bring back more PE, Music, and Gate programs, and possible Home Ec. and Art.
--Submitted by a parent

Great parent involvement. Great academics from k-3, falls short after that.
--Submitted by a parent

When you consider what a small school this is, they offer a very good education. The campus is top rate for a small community and the school has many positive points. Their K-2 program is outstanding. In fact, their K-4 teachers are super regardless of the programs used. The middle school classes are taught by good but very out of date teachers. Renewal of the music classes and a qulified PE teacher would help but to their credit, the art program is better than many bigger schools. Children with learning disabilities, special needs, and special abilities are not often given their full due in the classroom. They rely on the county to send in special ed teachers a couple of days a week. More attention needs to be paid to them within the regular classroom. Up until this year, the GATE program has been good. The only person teaching it has been out most of the year and no one has stepped in. Substitues must be a problem because the aides often take over when a teacher is out. The principal is also the superintendent and it must take him away from discipline duties. He isn't viewed as a strong disciplinarian by the children. Parents influence most decisions and those with community standing have more influence than the general working class parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school! Could use some improvement and probably funding for extracurricular activities. I think they need more classes besides just the general education classes. Although they have a tiny music program in place now they are cutting it out because of budget cuts. I think this is important, I also believe the kids would benifit from a home economics class as well as an art program. Definately in need of afterschool activities and maybe a little more parent involvemnent. Overall though, they have a good thing going - everyone has room for improvement, right?