Ponderosa Elementary School

My daughter has been there since the middle of last year and now she is in 1st grade. This is a great school. She is learning so much and has had great teachers! We planned on moving next year, but because of this school we are going to stay in this area just so she can attend Ponderosa Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. The student body has really blossomed under principal Sloan's leadership. They have an outstanding Math and Science program that has been inspiring the students as evidenced by the incredible increase in test scores over the last two years. More parent involvement would really help, but there is only so much schools can do about that.
—Submitted by a parent

Best school ever!Gt is great!The principal needs more activities with students,and teachers need to give more learning activities with students!

I've crossed quite a few teachers who seem unenthusiastic, generally agitated with even the better behaved children. I'm not so sure about academic strengths because I don't see my child advancing too far but he seemed to be much further ahead to begin with. There do seem to be some friendly staff members here and there but they are the minority and they even seem a little defeated. I met the principal and I liked what she stands for but for my student who was sad for sick days in his previous school reports little inspiration or encouragement from his primary teacher. I'm concerned about the lack luster attitudes of some of the teachers because I think they have an influence on my child's attitude about school. I'd like to know that children are inspired by a positive learning environment but the negative forces are apparently taking over in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school I personally went there as a kid and it was the best elementary school ever. The teachers are great as well as the activities. The reading and writing program is a big help to people who have trouble .If your looking for an elementary school this is definitely the school you want your kids to go to.

The best of both worlds-- a Cherry Creek School District Education and diversity you won't find elsewhere. My children have thrived at this school under the amazing direction of Elizabeth Sloan and her great staff of teachers. No one cares more for their students than this group of educators
—Submitted by a parent

My 15-month-old-daughter was attacked physical instructor from Ponderosa Elementary School. This teacher made her crying because baby was playing with ball near school s entrance. Next time I will call to police if teachers from this school touch my baby without my consent.
—Submitted by a parent

Ponderosa Elementary is a secret gem. The teachers are fantastic and the principal is forward thinking and fast moving. The special ed department is especially hard working.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school! My youngest just started kindergarten this year but my oldest son is in 2nd grade and has attended since kindergarten as well. I love their reading recovery program it helped my son out so much! The diversity is great. I've had great experiences with the teachers so far and this year am hoping to get to know other moms so that I can keep up with everything going on!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing, I love it. They teach me so much and everyone is really nice. I've been here sice kindergarten and I'm sad to say that I'm going to middle school next year and leaving Ponderosa. But, it was a fantastic and a great influence to me.
—Submitted by Alyssa Bekerman, a student

we have had many positive experiences and wonderful teachers at Ponderosa. The diversity is amazing. We'd love to see some more stabiltiy with the teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Lousy support from the district. Cherry Creek has decided that schools in minority-heavy neighborhoods (more than 5% non-white) should not need advanced classes to the degree that white-based neighborhood schools do. It's completely racist and disgusting. Ponderosa did a great job considering the support they have from the district. Even the new Cherry Creek newsletter describes the
—Submitted by Jane, a parent

Both of my children have attended Ponderosa Elementary since they were in kindergarten. The teachers are very hardworking, and the principle, Gigi Dodson, is a great leader and motivator. Two of the things that make Ponderosa great are the dedication of the PTCO and the inclusion of music, PE, technology and Art in the curriculum. The PTCO ensures there is money to have a TA for each grade level and some of the special programs, and provides countless services that would otherwise disappear for lack of funding. The elective programs and teachers provide intramural sports, choir, computer club and art club where the kids can develop skills beyond traditional academics. The children are divided in the classroom by ability in reading and math, so they are always challenged. The atmosphere is safe and positive. The school has a fairly diverse population for Cherry Creek schools, and everyone is accepted.
—Submitted by Deb Vining, a parent

Many of the teachers at this school are excellent. A few are average and teach to the bottom of the class. If your child has special needs, the school appears to have good programs, however, if your child is gifted, the program is iffy. They keep cutting the programs for the smart kids and do not individualize enough, giving the excuse that there are too many children for them to be able to individualize. Many of the advanced children become bored out of their heads and when they ask advanced questions are often told that they will 'get to that subject in a few years' rather than encouraging the questions and either finding out the answers in order to answer the student, or encouraging the student to find the answer himself. This school has had about 4 or 5 principals in about ten years.
—Submitted by a parent