Soaring Hawk Elementary School

This school is ridiculous. The Principal they had did nothing, I hear she is gone now, Adios. I hope that they get someone in there who wont put up with bad teachers such as Libby Russell. Libby is young, although apparently all you need is a degree to teach, but a degree doesnt teach you about caring for a being a good, solid teacher. She was gone from school all the time, at least 1-2 times a week due to her "sick baby" having a cold etc...my kids knew more about Libby's child then they did about math. She taught 2nd Grade at the time, what A wasted year. She now teaches 1st grade. I can not believe she still has a job to be honest. Good Luck if you get this teacher, you should demand they watch her attendance, and the amount of time she spends on the phone. The comment about the CSAP is correct as well. All they care about is the kids doing good on CSAP without proper coaching.
--Submitted by a parent

We were new to the area and school and have been overwhelmingly happy with the school. Having one child on an IEP and one far advanced, they really have the tools and experts to deal with both of their learning styles. Also love that they are not on their original track system but a modified schedule. Great Teachers!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year on track schedule and at SHE. My first grader is having a great year and reading wonderfully after having an absolutely miserable kindergarten experience in a nearby district and blue ribbon school. My daughter has special needs and ESL. Her social experience has had mixed reviews, but the teachers have all made a tremendous effort to encourage and work with her. Communications regarding expectations and homework are clear and positive. I am not sold on the track schedule, but there is a move to change to a regular schedule in the future. It is definitely overcrowded and more schools are needed in this district.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with this school, they seem to deal with the children on an individual basis according to their strengths and weaknesses instead of a 'one size fits all' approach that so many others have. They also have been very considerate of individual children with religious and cultural customs that my be different from the mainstream. I recommend this school highly.
--Submitted by Anna, a parent

The staff at SHE is concerned only with CSAP test scores and only reinforce learning to that degree. Music and art seem to take a back seat to all other academic courses. SHE has a new principal in 2007 and the school is no longer the safe and enriching environment it started out as. Bullying tactics are not stopped and children have more than one incident before parents are notified. I do not recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

We have just moved to the area a couple of months ago. Soaring Hawk has been an awesome school. The staff has been friendly, they have many activities for the children to get involved in, and they go to school all year round. My daughter loves to go to school. They also welcome parent involvement. I volunteer at least once a week, and love it. No school is perfect, but this one really comes close.
--Submitted by Amy Gilkison, a parent