George Washington Charter School

I have to comment on reading the recent posts. School is what you, as a parent, put into it. If you have a problem with the office staff, look at how you are communicating to them? Are you kind and pleasant or are you irritated when you enter the office? They are doing an excellent job at dealing with parents and I cannot believe people would single out the ladies like this. I am surprised that this website actually posted your mean comments. I have seen the behavior talked about, but it usually happens when the phones are ringing and chaos is going on in the office. Get over it, they are human. Give the front staff a break. Also, you want your child to have the best education from a public school, then fund raisers are necessary. Complain to the powers in Sacramento, not Washington Charter. So the next time you have to interact with the front office, try to be more understanding of the fact you are one parent out of hundreds that they see everyday. My son has been a student here for 5 yrs now and we have had ups and downs and the support of the staff has been great!!! So instead of being a complainer, take a moment and think about a more positive solution.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the complaint below. My, my husband's, & fellow parents/friends have experienced very negative experiences from the front office, specifically w/Ellie and Mr. Lehman. We parents have expressed among ourselves how we were certainly "wooed" by this same staff when applying for this great school (& I do believe it is a great school), but the moment we were accepted, we felt completed abandoned as NEW parents. Front office is impatient & extremely condescending to any parent w/questions--particularly when taking OUR time to come in & verify vague &/or contradicting notices sent home en mass. I understand & appreciate bad days, but the front office interaction is too consistently negative to simply having a bad day. They do send home a lot of fund raising, money request...even using "no weekly homework" for your child if he/she can donate, etc. My husband & I are fairly active volunteers in class/campus as well as parent club events. My ONLY complaint lies with the front office staff & their rude behaviour. They have "No Bullying" motto & "Ridicule Free Zone" signs, yet they treat parents to the point of feeling bullied. Teaching staff however is EXCELLENT--no complaints!
—Submitted by a parent

I am going to tell you the honest truth about this school. The front office staff is completely rude. Fran has no people skills at all in fact I have witnessed her raise her voice to seniors that are visiting their grandchildren for an event. Ellie has ran out of her office to yell at a helpless single disable mother that was parking near the teacher spaces. She ran out of her office! Not in her job description and is a bully. The school asks for money two three times a week, you get recorded phone calls with Fran's voice reminding you of money or money donated events. The school's kindergarden gives homework for reading even though they have not learned any reading skills. Very money driven school that has women participating in the dail fashion show, which is actually the time to pick up their children.
—Submitted by a parent

All four of my kids attended WCS. Because of the parent club and charter curriculum, it provides music, arts, computer labs, reading labs. The school provides full music programs. The campus was completely rebuilt in 2006. The principal knows not only each of the 720 students by name as he welcomes each student to school as they enter the parking lot, he knows their parents by name as well. He leads the faculty and staff by example and is an excellent leader. This is a public charter school, but has the feel of a private education.
—Submitted by a parent

For this school to be rated a "9" is silly: They acheived state goals in every category on the State's annual test, and did so without teaching to the test and without emphasizing reading & math test scores to the detriment of a balanced education. I have a job that allows me to live anywhere. My wife and I moved here because we found it to be superior to any school in the state. (We both have advanced degrees. I have taught medical school, and my wife home schooled two of our children for one year.) Teachers love teaching here...partly because of the charter, partly because of the amazing principal, and partly because parents literally line up to volunteer...and it shows. Despite state cutbacks, the school continues to offer regular, quality experiences with art, music, PE, computer, library, and field trips. And, despite other good ("9") schools nearby, the waiting list to get in (if you are in the catchment area of one of those other schools) is depressingly and almost hopelessly long. That's because the well-educated and motivated parents of this valley know this is one of the best schools in the state. But they are wrong: It is THE best school in the state.
—Submitted by a parent

An excellent school with caring, helpful facualty. Great music program, on-site counseling services and great parental involvment. Highest API scores of all area elementary schools in the Coachella Valley.
—Submitted by a parent

Great curriculum, highest score in valley for california test. excellent teachers, very concerned and attentive principal and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great students, great campus!
—Submitted by a parent

We've been involved with the school for 3 years now and are highly impressed with the individual attention our son is getting. As a struggling student, the staff are working diligently to meet his needs in a variety of manners. I'm highly impressed by their response.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended WCS for 2 years, and it has been wonderful! We moved to the valley in first grade, and it was a very easy transition. The principal and teachers are excellent! Strong parent involvement and a very welcoming environment. This school is worth the waiting list to get in. Unfortunately, we are relocating again, and hope to find a school as wonderful as WCS in our new city!
—Submitted by Laura, a parent

The best school in the valley! The staff really cares. The principal stands out front every day and greets the students and parents. Academics are top notch. Students are greeted each day 'Welcome super-students'. Because excellence is expected, excellence is achieved. That is the mind-set of the staff. They believe each student can be great. Last year my daughter happly read over 300 books! Her thirst for knowledge is nurtured by teachers and staff. This is the school you hope your child will be admitted.
—Submitted by Lexis" Dad, a parent

The school has always been a good school, especially since becoming a Charter. Teachers are well educated, programs good and the parent participation is great.
—Submitted by a parent

Washington Charter is a wonderful school. With tremendous parental involvement, the feeling of community is strong within the school. The leadership of the Principal, Allen Lehmann, has made the level of respect and responsibility among the staff and students so high. The children want to please him. Being a good kid is 'cool', and excelling in academics or extracurricular activities is worth striving for. The only drawback with this school is that every grade level has one or two 'undesirable' teachers, some of whom may be leaving the school in the next few years due to retirement anyway. Parents who are very involved with the school tend to have more power when it comes to keeping their kids out of those classrooms. Outside of that, the only other complaint would be that the school itself is very old, which will be solved in the next two years as the modernization project gets underway, and a new, beautiful school will be in place for all our kids!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so fortunate that my son attends WCS. I could not be happier with the faculty and staff. They are so dedicated to the children who attend, and to their success not just in elementary school but the future as well. Mr. Lehmann the Principal is such an amazing Educator. He knows every child by name and how they are doing and he is constantly offering praise and positive comments. Mr. Lehmann makes sure the parents are always informed of school happenings, testing scores and any vital information. My child has grown by leaps and bounds since attending Washington. I cannot recommend a finer school in our area and most of California. If you have a chance to let your child attend, do it. You will be so happy you did.
—Submitted by a parent