Murphy Creek K-8 School

I'm impressed with how organized everyone is and that this first week of school has been so smooth.
--Submitted by a teacher

1. I had a bully issue at this school, brought it to the attention of the teacher, counselor and principal. It was dealt with quickly, respectfully, and we had no other issues. I'm am totally pleased with this school and the way they handle things. My children feel safe and now know they can speak to the adults who WILL and DO handle issues brought to their attention. 2. Remember that CSAP is one test one time a year and is not what I use to really measure my child's learning. I talk to the teachers and am very involved. As a result, my child is making great strides at Murphy Creek as assessed using DRA2, MONDO, Quarterly Assessments, benchmark assessments, etc. The teachers care A LOT. My child has taken CSAP many times. It's amazing how scores vary from year to year...one test...one day. 3. Get involved. The staff wants positive, involved parents. I'm glad I am involved and my child is better for it. 4. It's a good school. I'm sorry some people who have written on Great Schools had one issue, one incident, and bad mouth the school. And I'm sorry Great Schools is an open sounding board for anything and everything. Sad. Get involved and check for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

Actually I just reviewed the Murphy Creek overall CSAP scores and was not shocked to see that the student population goes from 50-60 percentile in 3rd grade and then drastically drops to 30-40 percentile in the 8th grade. This is very alarming to me and I would think should be very alarming to other parents that actually want your kid to learn something and become educated. Who really cares where your school ranks if 1 out of 2 kids is failing in reading, writing and math going into high school! I looked up other schools in run down/depressed areas of Aurora and was even more shocked that these schools scores actually increased by 10-20 percent. Our scores unfortunately do nothing but drastically drop. I urge you to click on the test scores tab on individual schools, but the scores are what they are. The Murphy Creek scores are not pleasing.
--Submitted by a parent

I am frustrated with this school. There is no policy enforced for bullying and there never seems to be any communication as to what is happening with these "problem" students that continually harass and bully kids. Why are students that are beating up kids in locker rooms, using vulgar language non-stop, and not respecting the premises or the staff still permitted. My kids DO NOT feel safe and feel threatened with the overall atmosphere at Murphy Creek. I have been at basketball games where students are "grinding" each other in plain view of staff and they ignore it! What a shame to see such a great school decline due to the bullies, and to see students have no respect for themselves, the staff or the premises. I am tired and fed up of having my middle school students come home in tears because of the harsh environment.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is ill-equipped to deal with behavior issues, particularly with middle-school students. They contact parents for the smallest things (talking back, texting in class - things that do not warrant a call home, in my opinion) and suspend kids for minor infractions. My son and his friends friends have come home from school in tears, feeling unfairly treated and that they have no voice whatsoever. My youngest son was having behavior issues, and his teacher was fantastic, but she received very little support from the administration. Neither of my children, both diagnosed with ADHD have received any kind of services or even an IEP. In fact, their teachers had no idea they even had the disorder until I mentioned in conferences, which indicates a communication breakdown between the administrators and the teachers. As a result, we now homeschool.
--Submitted by a parent

Dear Parent: Your shoddy remarks are WAY out of line. The Murphy Creek K-8 P.E. teacher is very professional and actively involved with kids. He adheres to a mandated curriculum encompassing age-appropriate exercise and game activities. Did you ever consider that your child might have their own issues following his direction? Making degrading public online comments about a teacher is not cool, nor is it appropriate adult behavior. Do the grown-up thing and visit his class. Request a private consultation with the teacher and school administrators. Your problems with him or any teacher will be actively addressed. I know this from personal experience. If your issues aren't addressed to your satisfaction, contact APS. Slamming a teacher in this forum doesn't reflect well on you on your parenting skills at all and brings your own behavior into question.
--Submitted by a parent

Most amazing office staff and great teachers. My children love going there , I couldnt be more pleased. Its in a great neighborhood. I would recommend . Anyone who puts a bad review most have some personal issues.
--Submitted by a parent

It is very disappointing to see the children expected to act like adults and the adults acting like children! There is way too much freedom and the adult supervision is questionable. I hardly see any boundaries or rules being established and/or enforced. Honestly, the kids run the show!!!
--Submitted by a parent

There are just a few good teachers at this school . No authority or leadership , teachers expect the students to learn themselves . I would not reccomend this school to anyone !!
--Submitted by a parent

No authority or leadership, and the students are expected to teach themselves. A huge lack of adult supervision! The entire school atmosphere is nothing but chaos, how do you expect kids to learn if there is no control. And the curriculum is a waste. It is not age appropriate, no phonics, and the teachers move through the materials so quickly there is no chance the students can actually absorb anything.
--Submitted by a parent