Magnolia Elementary School

Magnolia is a place where the community takes a real interest. People are very involved in making it a great place. Parents and grandparents are volunteering in family nights, craft activities, red ribbon week, drama club, harvest festival, tutoring, and more. The teachers are great and they also volunteer. The parent teacher organization is welcoming and helpful. I recommend Magnolia strongly. We are very happy with our children's experience there.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the man who said Magnolia is amazing. There are lots of community volunteers at this school that help to pay for the stuff that got chopped because of budget cutbacks. I always see teachers staying long after the school day is through. People are committed to Magnolia and it shows!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. With the people that volunteer at the school and the fun activities for the kids, I have nothing to worry about. Every time I volunteer at Magnolia there are a ton of other parents there, also working hard to give our kids the best experience possible. This year a parent started a Drama Club and my kids had a great time at the Drama events after school, and there have been great activities for things like Red Ribbon Week and Ag Day. Magnolia is a wonderful place for kids to learn and grow.
--Submitted by a parent

This year my daughter will exit Magnolia to go on to Junior High. We have had our ups and downs. She has had wonderful teachers and some who were not positive influences (a great life lesson). I feel she will be prepared next year. I guess I would say that I am apathetic about Magnolia. I would give more credit to parents that we know how to parent our children. I should not have to sign a contract pledging to feed my child and limit their tv time. Teachers should not have to pledge to teach our children (Isn't that their job?). One parent pointed below that they focus on STAR testing. So do all other schools. Remember however, this is an optional test. Your child does not have to test. Just write a letter opting them out and present it to the principal. We have done this with no issues.
--Submitted by a parent

Your complaints are valid about testing, but having been involved with my children's teachers and as a former member of the Site Council, all teachers in all schools unfortunately are teaching for State and Federal Testing. School funding is tied to academic performance. Challenges do exist with ESL students but that is not exclusive to Magnolia. Extracurricular activities increase from Grades 4-6. This school has some excellent teachers that do go outside of the box and challenge students. We must remember that teachers are there to teach and not babysit our kids so in turn our kids are expected to learn. Parent involvement varies from class to class depending on the availability of the parents. I encourage every parent to be involved in their child's class. My second child is in 5th Grade and will leave in 2009. Our first child left in 2007 and was well prepared for Honors Courses at OJHS.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been at Magnolia for several years. The teachers are great and want the best for the students, unfortuately, this school is very focused on STAR testing and scores leaving not a lot of time for subjects other than reading and math. There are too many activities that revolve around fundraising putting too much emphasis on money instead of the children and there is never an accounting of where all the fundraising monies are being spent. Many parents in my circle have stopped participating in school activities because they do not feel welcomed by the PTC. I would like to see this school start focusing on the children again.
--Submitted by a parent

We have attended Magnolia for three years. The teaching staff is wonderful and attentive but the some programs are lacking such as music, art and computer science. The school has too large a population for all children to get a chance to participate in extracurricluar activities such as the choir. In addition, with the recent changes in the administration have come an atmosphere change. Some parents are beginning to feel unwanted and the constant negative tone of the communications sent home (newsletter, notices) are a disappointment. I miss the fun educational environment that used to prevail at Magnolia.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to Magnolia for kindergarten and first grade and it was a relatively good experience. He is a gifted learner and (after some frustration and a class change) the administration worked by placing him with teachers that were experienced in this area. He was happy and enjoyed school. There are a lot of ESL kids at this school and in my opinion that sometimes causes a strain on teachers. Overall we had a good experience at Magnolia elementary. I do have to say that when we first approached the principal with our concerns regarding his first kindergarten teacher we did feel a little like 'well that's your problem'. but after persistence on my part we were able to get things worked out. Oakdale overall has some music, which is nice.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Kindergarten here, the teachers and staff are wonderful, they kept me informed of his progress all year and allowed me to volunteer in his classroom often, I am very satisfied with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Magnolia has been a very strong school. The teachers are hardworking and really care about the school and the students.
--Submitted by a teacher