Calabash Street Elementary School

This is our first year at Calabash and I am very happy we chose this school. My child is in kindergarten and doing very well. I was concerned that my kid might not be challenged in a public school, but her teacher presents an exciting curriculum that allows her to deepen her understanding of the material. The children are all very respectful and very bright! The PTA is awsome and very welcoming. The principal seems on top of thing and In my experience very approachable. Overall, I would highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't wait for the district to hear this! Let them know, that because of the BUDGET cuts we haveto raise $$ for a well rounded education for our kids. Due to mismanaged funds our kids education suffers! If you have a problem with PTA kindly email the PTA or attend a meeting and bring up the issues to have. They are an awesome group pf Parents and they would love for you to help them so they can quit asking for $$.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a 4th, 2nd & 1st grader & this is our first year at this school. so far I can't stop raving about this wonderful place! the staff & parents are so involved & are truly out for the students best interests. I must say it is a completely new experience for not only my children but myself to finally have a school where everyone is actually involved for the education & doesn't see school as just some place kids can go & be watched while the parents go to work! it is a diverse environment & small which I love! my only issue is the after school care - which the school can't really do much about. Beyond the Bell offers free after school care for 2nd - 5th which leaves my 1st grader out. they do have a creative kids program which is offered to 1st & k but it is not affordable to us & they do not prorate their fee (I only need child care for about an hour not the full 4 that the program charges for) - & it also filled up on the first day! be back at the end of the school year to give a full review!
--Submitted by a parent

Still "BEST SCHOOL EVER". This is my 3rd year at Calabash and I couldn't have made a better choice, Each year gets better and my daughter is so happy to be there everyday!! From my observations, all the staff seem to know every child by name. The Principal and the Teachers take great care in placement of the children in classes based on their needs. It is like being at a private school. Parent involvement is great considering the size of the school and even then, working parents take their time off to partipate in scholl and class activities. We love it so much.
--Submitted by a parent

F A N T A S T I C school. Great teachers, staff, and extremely helpful PTA parents. I've even warmed up to Mrs. Gillis, the principal, who obviously tries her very best everyday and is doing a great job. I'm really excited about our new Charter school status and am looking forward to seeing what it has to offer. Keep up the great work, Calabash!
--Submitted by a parent

My child attends Kindergarten at Calabash I could not have dreamed of a better school experience for my child. The kindergarten teacher, Ms. Bowes, is just amazing. These children are learning academically and socially. They are such a well behaved and respectful group of children. The parent involvement is stellar and the Principal, Ms. Gillis, was able to put a team together of parents and teachers that got Calabash approved to be a charter school for September 2011. My child is happy, learning and has made some good friends already. We hope this all continues
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in Kindergarten at Calabash and she loves it. The parent involvement at this school is phenomenal. There are lots of after school activities that are offered and the kids really enjoy Artopia with the parents as well as all the other extracurricular activities Calabash has to offer. The children here are from all walks of life and from all different races which was very important to my husband and I when we moved into to the area for this school. Although the principal, Mrs. Gillis, seems a bit stern, strict and standoffish, she is good at responding to any concerns brought in by parents. She is also there for every single schol event which is is pretty darn cool. I look forward to the following years my children will have at Calabash.
--Submitted by a parent

I had a very bad first experience with the principal of this school--I hope my gut feeling is wrong, and that she will treat each child as if he or she is unique, and that she will do her best to provide each child the best education. I hope to give this school a better rating in the future.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal, Ms. Gillis, strives to stay involved in all the school activities. She is always walking the campus, saying hi to the parents and children and is very responsive to emails. I have never been to an event where she was not in attendance. You can tell that she is genuinely concerned about the progress of the school and it's students. My daughter was in Kinder last year and we really loved the close knit community that Calabash had to offer. The parent involvement is stellar. You couldn't ask for more from any school. They fought hard to raise enough money to keep our librarian, knowing how important it is for our children. They PTA offers great enrichment classes for the kids and the After School Program is well run and takes great care of the children. We are very happy with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

While the principal is new. She is involved, informed and available to speak with everyone. She is professional and genuinely cares about the students. No school is perfect and all things considered we have an amazing teacher group, parent group, principal and office staff. This is not my home school and I chose to send my son here. There isn't another scholl, public or private, where I would send him. Kudos to all that volunteer to make our school so great!!!!
--Submitted by a parent