Green Valley Elementary School

GVE is a classic example of the situation schools are in these days with NCLB. The teachers are pressed to make the kids do well on CSAP and the Spanish-speaking kids are transitioned into full-time English too soon. Why does the school with mostly African-American and Hispanic kids do badly on a test written in Standard English for middle class white kids? It's the unrealistic requirements they are given. All too common.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in 1st grade and attended this school last year. Recently we had to change classes because of the lack of respect for us as parents by the teacher. We are concerned parents but the principal gave us the impression that we are overprotective and unreasonable. As far as safetly and parents being allowed to be involved in what their children are being taught, This school is terrible. The curriculum as well has not challenged my son at all. We actually do workbooks from home so that he is learning new things. I would not reccomend this school if you want to be invovled in your child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attend GVE for 2yrs now. My only worry at the begining was that my son spoke no English and his ELC classroom had English teachers only. My son is now Fluent in both languages had no trouble. He is now in DLC and his teachers are absolutely wonderful. They have the best method in teaching children. I get a behavioral book everyday and have to sign it everyday so Im aware of how my son behaves on a daily basis. He gets treasure box when he behaves good and follows directions. GVE is truely a great school. I have to completely disagree with the other parents who dont agree.
--Submitted by a parent

Thank you for allows teachers to move up with their students. I liked having the same teacher two years in a row (2nd to 3rd this year)
--Submitted by a parent

I feel there are too many children per teacher. My child is now in third grade, when she was in first she had 34 peers in her class.
--Submitted by a parent

The school seems really disorganized and parents don't seem to care or support their kids. The special education teachers are wonderful most of the time and my son has really improved while in the ELC and DLC. It's a nice school atmosphere and design, but it needs some real leadership, accountability and structure to improve the academics. We were given the option of going to another school next year, and we will do that just so our kids have a chance at a better education. If the school improves, we would consider coming back.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended here since K. and now in 4 &5 This school lacks in academics and in teacher responsibility. The after school programs are about the only good thing there is to this school. The school doesn t follow up on any issues whether good or bad. When a child has a problem in academics there is no help to resolve it. There is too much violence committed here and no real follow through. Over all this school needs to be revamped. There is moderate parent involvement. When parent try to get involved they are told that 'we'll let you know' No follow through.
--Submitted by a parent

Green Valley is a good school that needs more parental involvement. Classes are large but the teachers have a genuine love of teaching and care for each student. Many of their challenges stem from topics not being reinforced at home by parents. The principal knows most kids by name for positive reasons. The dress code is not overly strict (pants and polos in school colors) and contributes to a learning environment by removing social and cultural barriers. The PTA is very active with the student body, hosting an activity monthly. The best part is Green Valley students have music, drama, art *and* PE every week.
--Submitted by a parent

Not the greatest school. Teachers and staff are nice enough, but test scores and content of school work is not up to par.
--Submitted by a parent

I think that there are too many Spanish speakers as well. Some of the teacher's assistants don't even speak English well enough to answer a simple yes or no question when the teacher can't be bugged. I also noticed that more and more teachers and teacher's assistants who speak English only, or very little spanish, are being replaced by bi-lingual people. Not a totally bad school but could definitely use some real improvement. They seem to be disorganized more often then not and don't seem to keep up with extra help that the students may need like speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and such. I noticed that the principal seems to take an avid interest in what is going on in the school and that behavioral problems seem to be kept to a minimum.
--Submitted by a parent