James Irwin Charter Elementary School

I am very happy with not only the academic achievments of both my son and daughter, but also the social maturity they have gained. My son was challenged academically both years he attended(4th & 5th). My daughter had interferences that hindered some of her growth. The school was supportive and helped my daughter reach her highest potential. The teachers both of them had thoughout the years were remarkable and dedicated educators. The support I felt from them, and both principal and assistant principal touched me and my daughter. She is now a confident student and a leader no matter what situation she is faced with. I am thankful that my children attended this fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent

Best. School. Ever!!!! The teachers truly care and are absolutely invested in ensuring that your child succeeds. Positive reinforcement is the method by which most behavior modification occurs. They have very high standards and it's refreshing to see all the kids able to live up to those standards. There is great ethnic diversity in the school, but very little diversity in how much the parents, teachers and administration care about each child and their success, both academically and socially. I recommend this school to anyone moving to the area, especially if you have a fairly conservative, old-school idea of how education should be achieved!
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids have gone here since K. We loved K and 1st, but haven't been impressed since. They are constantly losing teachers. Last school year they had a teacher that taught our 1st grader math and our 4th grader reading. She was amazing, always had time to talk with us about our kids progress and greet us by name. She even tutored our son free of charge and made him love reading. The kids loved her. Halfway through the year she was moved to 2nd grade. Our kids were upset and couldn't stand the new teacher. Almost the end of the year our 1st grader came home crying because the teacher quit and now she couldn't have her next year. You would think they would try to hold good teachers. Each year they gain and lose quiet a few. We haven't had much interaction with the principals, and hope we never do, they are pretty snooty and look down on everyone. Our kids will stay here, we live in D2 so this is the best option for us. we gave teacher quality 2 stars only because we were happy with k and 1st and not since. But k and 1st deserved a 5.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended this school since Kindergarten. I have mixed views about the school however everything in life has pro's & con's. Even though sometimes I feel homework is rather much for my child - I as a parent sit and make sure that the homework is done and understood. Majority of the time my help is not needed and I'm constantly amazed at the information my child has learned. My child has set a goal to obtain one of the character awards for this school year and with this goal comes my part to help he/she do whatever it takes to obtain such a great award. I'm not too keen with the Principal however I can say she does have a open door policy - I just think her level of thinking on certain situation is not thought out well but she does have a outstanding adminstrative staff to make up for what is lacking. Overall, I truly can say this has not been a bad fit for my child who will be a moving on to the middle school after this school year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the April 24 posting. The teachers are very friendly but the quality of their teaching is low. Both principals are cold, fake, and uncaring. If your child does not naturally thrive at their school, they will take no responsibility and the parents are to blame. As a previous parent volunteer I heard teachers constantly gossiping about other staff and principals. Not something I wanted my child to pick up.
—Submitted by a parent

James Irwin has a friendly staff and good dicsipline. Teacher quality is poor. Teachers do not have to meet state education requirements. The lessons are scripted, we sat through our sons class and when he didnt understand something the teacher was reading it seemed that she didnt understand either and was not able to answer our sons questions. Our daughters math teacher has had her skip math problems telling her that they don't make sense. However, we were able to explain to our daughter how it was done. James Irwin caters to their hispanic students, providing programs like free tutoring which our children are unable to take advantage of because of their last name. We would not reccomend this school nor will our children be returning.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has compassionate teachers and staff who love the kids and their jobs! My child is recieving and excellent foundation in math, reading, science, and history. I am awed at how much the children are learning, especially when it comes to the history of the United States. This is an excellent school, and it's a charter school that deserves to be aknowledged for the fine people and citizens it is growing!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school I can think of taking my kids out of this school great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

The fantastic education really prepares the kids for the future and the quality people help ensure traditional morals and values in the kids
—Submitted by a parent

I am the proud parent of a College Kindergartener at JIES. This school has set a very high standard at a very early age. The wonderfull staff are so amazing! It is so welcoming to come in and everyone knows your name.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at JICES for three years now and love it. We have two children who attend and one who will be in their College Kindergarten Program next year. We have had nothing but good experiences since first being introduced to this school. Granted it is not a school for everyone as it is a fast paced Direct Instruction Academic Elementary School. Math and Reading is front and center. Cursive is taught in K. CSAP scores are high. Ranked 10 on Great Schools. This school is not in our school district but drive a distance each day to get our children to an awesome school.
—Submitted by a parent

In my experience the teachers have been great. But The principal goes overboard with her 'zero tolerance' my 9 year old was suspended because she had a nightmare about ghosts and a bad person who wanted to kill her and wrote about it.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome! Our kindergartener had very little experience reading prior to going to James Irwin and in 2 short months she is sitting down and reading short stories to us. She started cursive 2 months ago and already has better cursive writing than her daddy. And she can tell you the continents, oceans and recite the pledge of allegiance. Great staff and a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My sons first year was last year as a Kindergartner. Writing in cursive and skipping the print is an awesome idea. I love the directional way of learning. I also love that there are no excuses for a child to not learn. My son pulled his share of colors but I do not think that they don't work with you on those issues, in fact I had the exact opposite affect. I loved that they have homework. My two older kids go to a public school and never have homework. My son knows more at this age then they did in 3rd grade. Expectations are high, and why shouldn't they be. Read their mission statement. Practice makes excellence is their motto, so if you aren't willing to work towards excellence then this school may not be for you, or better yet may not be for you.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a charter school not a main stream school. If you child has difficulties in learning or behaviors they should be at a school that offers SIED. This main focus at this school is learning, not social hour like other public schools. My nieces both attended James Irwin, one did extremely well, the other has behavior issues so she belongs in a school that offers help with those issues. This is not a school for everyone. Yes there is homework, yes they expect a child to be able to spell (even in math) and they expect to be able to read what that child has written. Most kids, and sad to say parents, have gotten lazy when it comes to education. James Irwin doesn't do lazy. The high school is a college prep school so yes they should be strict.

I agree completely with the last review. If your child has the slighest difficulty in behavior or learning, no matter how minor it may seem to you, do not enroll in this school. They will not work with you. They are interested only in the overall academic rating of their school. James Irwin Charter Elementary School Board take note: The word is out about your intollerant attitude to the diversity of our children and about how you really gain those 'Excellent' ratings. If your child doesn't conform, then they will get kicked out or held back until you have no other option but to look for another school. The homework is excessive and there is no way to assure the homework policies are being upheld other than parental feedback. Teachers are inconsistent in process (grading/discipline) so kids get mixed messages. My son attended the school for 4 years.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had one child in this school for 4 years, and my second child is in kindergarten this year. I have mixed reviews. This school has awesome corricullums, and awesome morals and character lessons that they teach these children. Kindergarten, 1st and second grade are awesome. The corricullums have really helped my dislexic son. He is thriving in Kindergarten. But if you have a boy, or a girl that is not able to handle a lot of busy work, or has ADD, this is not the school for you from second grade on. They are really rigid and will not allow interventions to lesson the work load. The teachers grade really strictly on perfect penmanship and spelling even in Math Class. ( I know that the middle school is awesome. The middle school principle is really patient, kind, and works with the kids.) So I would recommend K & 1st.
—Submitted by a parent

I have read all these comments and want to say, just wait. My daughter has gone to the elementary since it first opened. Now 4 years later, they think she should be held back. They don't care about her self-esteem or all the research that says retention, especially after kindergarted, is the worse thing for kids. They have no plan for improvement, I don't see anything changing next year. I know some of you are thinking, its only this one child, but it isn't. I know of 4 children in her class last year that were held back. One of those parents had her child tested and found out that she was one whole grade level below. This school does not care about the child's feelings. They can't seem to keep teachers, new ones all the time, they don't have to be certified either.
—Submitted by a parent

James Irwin Charter Elementary School is awesome. My kindergardener is already writing cursive and reading at the 2nd grade level. These teachers are highly motivated and they ensure that every student is participating in classroom activites.
—Submitted by a parent

I am beyond thrilled with this school and the instructional doctrine. We moved to JI this school year, and I have watched my 1st and 2nd graders go from being under-challenged and bored to confident, excited academic wonders. I am stunned by what and how much kids at this school learn. And unlike my experience in mainstream schools, kids are pushed to their potential, not just to grade level...meaning they are so often working and learning well above grade level. This is a no nonsense college prep school with high structure and major time saving techniques. I love the uniforms and the enforced fundamental disciplines need for uninterrupted learning. I admit, I miss having a bus system, but when I consider my options, I am reinspired by knowing that there is no going back. I love this school. Huge thanks to the founders for their vision!
—Submitted by a parent