Explorer Elementary School

Explorer Elementary is a fantastic school for many reasons but one of my favorites is the fact they reach a huge diversity in students. I love the fact that they integrate those with physical disabilities with the other students so that children learnhow to reach out and care and be sensitive to those around them. They have the students best interests at heart and they work very much like a family should. I love the inter-action with the students and Mre. Lang as she desires to get to know the children. It is a great school to model after.

RUN! This school has a lot of work to be done before it should be even a consideration. Never saw the principal until the day I filed for a transfer. The fourth and fifth grades are going through restructuring with teacher teams, and your child is the guinea pig. The teacher my child was assigned was AWFUL! He was bringing an extra change of clothes to school because she was not letting him use the restroom. After we dealt with that, she continued to pick at him for things that were not important to the point he was unable to learn with her. The assisant principal is the only saving grace for this school, but she is not in your child's classroom all the time. All I can say is RUN and don't look back!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We" choiced" into Explorer from our "home" school in d-20. WOW!!! This school is made of dreams. From students to teachers, to specials, to admin to the PTA, everyone.....I mean everyone is behind my child's happiness & success. They are right on top of their education. The people who make up Explorer are very proud of being there & actually love being with the students. A++++ school. Mrs. Lang is a wonderful leader & partner at this school. Way to go Mrs. Lang, teachers, staff, admin & parents at Explorer!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with Explorer. I have a child with an IEP who gets one-on-one time in the special ed program and has a "para" (teacher's assistant) to help in the mainstream classroom. Explorer is among a handful of schools with a "SSN" (special student needs) program. I also have a child who has been identified for gifted and talented as well, so I am familiar with both extreme. The administration seems very engaged - they are at virtually every special event I attend. PTA is active. I would recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Explorer is an amazing school! I actually interviewed 15 schools before narrowing it down to Explorer and one other school. I have LOVED this school. The teachers have been fabulous! They have quickly adjusted to my daughter's needs. They allow her to excel in the areas she is good in and have given her extra support in the areas that are a struggle. The parents are so involved and just great. So many parents put in an amazing amount of time and effort. This is SUCH a friendly school. I always feel at ease. After two years, I'm looking forward to the next three!
—Submitted by a parent

We choiced into this school from another fairly new D20 school. There is no comparison to the quality in education, parent involvement and morale among students in Explorer vs. my child's former school. She is challenged in the classroom, she feels safe, and she is being taught all subjects! The teachers are happy, I see tons of other parents involved and the principal, counselor and other support staff have helped make this a smooth midyear transition. Awesome school!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Exploxer ES. I didn't realize how much until we moved out of state last year. My daughter went to school here from 1st to 4th grade. The atmosphere there is pleasant. I always felt welcomed at this school. I loved that they have Spanish and Art classes. I also feel that the math and writing curriculm far exceeds the current school my daughter is attending. There is plenty of parental involvement and I never witnessed ANY bullying.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter was enrolled in Morning Kinder here last year and the hard work and dedication of her teacher was outstanding !!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is enrolled in Kinder here and has learned so much in the first semester. The teachers really take a hands on approach to learning.
—Submitted by a parent

The classrooms are overcrowed and the teachers do not get enough support. Focus is on either the 'challenged kids' or the TAG kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Explorer is one of the best schools I have seen in a long time! The teachers are GREAT in helping the kids out. The school is located in a great neighborhood, and the parents are very involve with their kids education. I hope the next school my kids go to is as good as Explorer.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to explorer for 2 years. I was not impressed with the staff at all. As a TAG child, my son was bored. For a top school in the prestigious D-20 I was not impressed at all. The classes are overcrowded and the teachers are overwhelmed. My children will be going into the friendly, family oriented D-11 this year. I look forward to a less stuck up school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the school caters too much to the kids 'that really need it' and doesn't focus enough attention on 'TAG' kids. Obviously it is a matter of perspective, but advanced reading and math groups don't begin until well into the school year to give every child ample opportunity to improve. We haven't seen any bullying whatsoever, but again it is a matter of perspective.
—Submitted by a parent

Explorer is a good school, but does not focus on helping the students that really need it. They teach to the students that learn fast. Even when they recognize that a student is not getting the information he/she needs, they still take far to long to decide a course of action. Explorer also does not deal with social issues at the school. There is a lot of bullying and issues that don't get addressed in a timely manner
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been OK for both of my children. The last 2 years been a disappointment. I have a 4th grader on an IEP for reading as very close to testing out. My problem is the overall lack of community and 'TAG' kids getting priveleges. Overall teachers are great, and there are a few that I will not allow my 2nd child to have. There are activities offered but the varity of extra activities are limited. I have also been let down with administration not really treating the school like a business. I feel the kids are the customers as well as the parents and the overall feel at explorer is not as welcoming as other D20 schools I have visited. I hope the new Principal turns things around.
—Submitted by a parent