Windsor Creek Elementary School

I have had three children attend Windsor Creek. While no school is perfect, I have found that with few exceptions, the teachers and administration are 100% devoted to providing the best public education environment possible. One of my children had special needs which were identified and addressed by the school. We found the administration open and willing to discuss any issue, even if it was to point out when our feelings regarding our children's education were not correct.. In all cases, the interactions led to a great experience for our children. Ms. Grafeld and her staff are excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an A+ school! The office staff are always friendly and helpful. My children have had amazing teachers. The school has high academic standards. The principal has exciting awards assemblies that the students and parents look forward to every month. She is always encouraging and motivating the children to become strong readers. They have special family events like the Father Daughter Dance and the Mother Son Night. The school has been named a California Distinguished School twice. We are very pleased with our school.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal is not very friendly or accessible to hispanic families. Doesn't engage socially with latinos. Same for PTA and Mattie Washburn. Joined and was completely ignored. Sending out flyers in spanish is not enough. Most hispanic kids put in certain classrooms with certain teachers. All the "good" teachers only 1-4 hispanics kids in whole class. Seems like No Child Left Behind doesn't apply to all. California Distinguished School only for economically wealthy and non Latino.
—Submitted by a parent

One star here means "unsatisfactory." That is precisely how I rate Windsor Creek. The following are my opinions based on our experiences. Having suffered this school, we moved our children out of the district and have never looked back. Our child was a top achiever at this school, yet was ignored and at times flagrantly mistreated. Communication with top administrators was a joke. It's their way or no way, even when they are wrong and failing to act in the best interest of the child. Heaps of praise and resources are given to low achievers. The only time our child received any attention was to ensure that the STAR tests were taken. (Of course! Because without those smart kids taking the STAR tests, the school s ratings will drop.) Ultimately, our child helped and supported the school, not the other way around. Additionally, classes are embarrassingly insufficient in terms of academic standards. Forget about high quality art, music, science, math or PE. We were appalled, and would never advise anyone to enroll his or her children here. Our kids are now thriving elsewhere. Your kids are only young once. Give them the best that you can.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not fond of this school at all. My first child came to this school (she's now 20) and she had the worst third grade teacher ever. (she's still there!) The school is very "clicky" and the parents are rude in picking up and dropping off their kids - not following ANY safety laws for the kids. I made teachers aware of this last year, yet nothing has been done about it. My 8 year old is in third grade this year and is a special needs child. The case manager doesn't follow the progress (of my child) and relies only on the aides for deciding how the children are succeeding...however, the aides don't have any training in dealing with his disability! Never has time for the parents and discussing the children seems to be a hassle (always cancels meetings). I did not like the school when my first child went [there] and I still don't. I guess if your child is not needing extra help, they would be ok; although probably not prepared for fourth grade as my first child (wasn't). The only positive thing I can say about this school is that they focus on reading. That's it.
—Submitted by a parent

As a mother of six in the Windsor School district, I have experienced Windsor Creek and almost all of the Windsor schools several times over. Windsor Creek is an exceptional school and I couldn't ask for more from it's principal, the teachers and the entire staff. My children are at different academic levels and no matter what a childs need may be, the teachers are there to tend to the individual needs of any child. Parents are always encouraged and welcome to participate as well as attend 'principal's coffee' where all parents are invited to meet with Ms. Grafeld over coffee and listen to and discuss anything that is going on with the school. Ms Grafeld encourages everyone to discuss their thoughts so that change can be made if need be and she fully realizes the value of parent input. I highly recommend this school and all of the Windsor schools!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Windsor Creek as a second grader last year and will be attending third grade in the upcoming school year. My child has had an excellent learning experience at the school. The facilities, curriculum and resources are tailored to the 2nd/3rd grade group, and resource sharing allows for an enriched public school learning experience. There is a heavy emphasis on reading and writing skills, and I saw great accomplishments made by my child last year.
—Submitted by a parent

Entering the 2nd grade at below level reading, my son is now ending 2nd grade with above 4th grade reading and comprehension. The dedicated staff has only the best interest in our children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is run by one of the best principals period. The principal (Maureen Grafeld) has turned Windsor Creek from an old ready to be closed down school to Windsor's best school. She has a vision of how Windsor Creek should look, yet is flexible enough to incorporate her teachers ideas on how to improve that vision. Buttefly garden, greenhouses, and a sparkling school are their to greet students and teachers. She has simple rules that kids understand, example make a fist and use it, you get suspended. Test scores, she has Windsor's best and is always working with teachers and staff to keep them improving. Communication, open door, monthly coffee's, newsletter's. Heard a rumor, ask her first, she'll give a straight answer. In short, Maureen's the best principal and Windsor Creek is the best school in Windsor.
—Submitted by George H, a parent