Grant Ranch K-8 School

I have two children that attend Grant Ranch k8. I am very unhappy with this school. The quality of teaching is very poor. Not because of intellect of the teachers but due to a lack of passion. There is a lack of supprt for children with learning disabilities or dicipline problems. These children seem to be pushed aside and allowed to fall threw the cracks. The IEP department doesn't coordinate the support and communication with the teachers. An explantion of the childs needs and weaknesses are either ignored by the teahers or not communicated to them. The office engages in gossip and is openly judgemental. My child returned home upset that the security guard and vice-principal came to the science class and explained that "they are the worst 7th grade class the school has ever had". This was not true and gave the children a bad attitude toward the school and its teachers. I would not expect a child to recieve a quality education at Grant Ranch.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently in the 8th grade at Grant Ranch. I am a gifted and talented student with my grades above the majority of my class memebers. My 7th grade math teacher paid me and the other GT students no attention, and wouldn't answer our questions or allow us to contribute in class discussions. This school has given me absolutely nothing to challenge myself except for the mathletics program, which was now switched to an all GPA level elective, no longer an invitational extr-ciricular activity. Over-all, I am not happy with my school. They have gotten rid of their GT program due to the fact that it makes other students feel inferior. I hope they never are allowed to become a K-12 school.

I've had 2 students in the middle school and have been nothing but pleased. One has moved on and has easily obtained a 4.1 GPS his first year due to his exemplary preparation. I am looking forward to another great year for my 7th and 4th grader!
—Submitted by a parent

I have to DISAGREE with the last comment. The middle school team needs some work; especially the 8th grade team! I may not be a teacher but I am a parent and I have dealt with quite a few schools and with numerous teachers for about 15 years and I have to say that I am not impressed by the GR staff! Someone made a comment about how unhappy they appear to be and I agree wholeheartedly as I HAVE an 8th grader at this school! I have seen some of the behaviors described in other posts FIRST HAND and I find it to be extremely unprofessional and highly unethical! If I had known then what I know now, my child would have never been placed at Grant Ranch. This school is in serious need of change and I hope no other child has to endure what my child has!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The parking at this school is completly insane. There is no where for parents to park I have a pre-school child that I have to take in, can not just be dropped off. We had to park 2 blocks way & walk on pure ice because the streets & walks were not salted or plowed. My child fell right in front of a school bus, as did a mother & her child behind be. This is completely unexcusable. Im disgusted at how the school is handleling this situation, and @ 75% of the students were tardy today because of this chaos! NOT ACCEPTABLE!
—Submitted by a parent

When we first saw this school that our daughters were going to go to, we were pleased, but the old saying don't judge a book by it's cover is right on when it comes to Grant Ranch. My 4th grader's teacher was absolutely heinous. I asked for a meeting with her for several weeks and when I got tired of waiting for her response, I called her back. She told me that they were planning on having the meeting that day, of course without giving me any notice. She has been extremely rude the whole school year and I feel, since we as taxpayers pay her wage, that we should be looking at the waiting list for a different teacher. My advice, don't go to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has been at Grant Ranch going on 8 yrs now, she will be starting 6th grade this year, and has been at Grant Ranch since ECE. It has been a wonderful school for her! Great teachers, great staff. We love the fact that our daughter already knows the middle school teachers , as she has already worked with them in prior years, either through reading buddies, or after school activities. Our daughter has been part of the Gifted and Talented Program, and has been involved in the many after school activities that Grant Ranch offers. We've heard that many Jeffco school do not offer what we get at Grant Ranch , so we feel fortunate that our daughter has had the opportunity to be part of Grant Ranch. Love Grant Ranch and look forward to the next 3 yrs in middle school !
—Submitted by a parent

Don't be fooled by the neighborhood. It looks like 70% of the studets are coming from 'other' areas of Denver, even being bussed in! There is a serious lack of discipline and the bullies rule the school! There is also a rumor that they want to go K-12! Its bad enough 8th graders are running over 5yr olds in the hall, can you imagine the already overcrowded parking lot full of high school kids? Ugly.
—Submitted by a parent

I have really enjoyed having my kids in Grant Ranch School. All my kids' teachers have been outstanding, and my kids have really flourished. I am really upset that we are moving out of the district, and I have to send my kids to a lesser quality school.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last two comments. The elementary section is 'ok' but the middle school is awful. My suggestion as a parent of a former student is to get out of this school by the 4th grade and attend the excellent jeffco or littleton schools in the area (especially if your child is gifted!)Mr. Kullhem needs to come back...current administration needs to leave and the middle school teachers (pretty much all of them) need to be reassigned or at least get some training on how to teach!
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my children from this school. I agree with many of the previous comments if the teachers, princple seems to like your child or you, the sky is the limit. Everyone else to bad. They seem to lack a curriculum worth talking about. Yes if your child is struggling you are on your own and on the other end if you have a highly gifted childe oh well. Nice looking school, lots of parent involment, if you are a parent that works and can't be as involved your child pays. Definitely not the best school available in the area!
—Submitted by a parent

The elementary part of the school is good, but the middle part is bad. If a teacher doesn't like the child or the parent they treat them unfair. My child was there and a certain teacher did not like her, so if she didn't do the homework to the teachers satisfaction my child had to stay in for lunch, call me, redo the homework for no credit, and if it happened more than 3 times she was suspended from school. I feel that if the child works on the homework they should at least get the credit and if they didn't they get an 'F', not suspension.
—Submitted by a parent

i was a student for 3 years! it was the best school I've ever been to! all the teachers are very nice! the kids are respectable....i love that school and you will to
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not impressed by this school at all! The class rooms are way over packed. The lunch menu is not fit for a K9.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great location, weak electives for 6-8 grades.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has such great potential but really misses the mark.
—Submitted by a parent

Grant Ranch School is more involved in parent support than anything else. Disapline is done on a per child basis rather than the same rules apply to each child. If the principal likes the parent, or is afraid of the parent, the child can do whatever they choose. Test scores are not as good as they could be because teachers are told to teach to the child that is on the edge of a better score. They ones that have fallen between the cracks are forgotten and those that are way above the mark are left on their own.
—Submitted by Concetta, a parent

The other schools in the area have much higher test scores and academic expectations are much higher... Although there is a great deal of parental involvement, the staff/administration does not have a excellent curriculum in place.... administrative leadership is poor and the principal is often not in the building (at meetings)... you are better going off to the Littleton or Jefferson County school or a private option
—Submitted by a parent

This has been one of the best DPS schools that I have ever knowen, in all my years growing up in the school district, this hss to be the far most excellent school that I have encountered. I love this school and their staff. When you have questions they are very prompt on getting the answer. Then there is the parents.... I have noticed that parents are involed in their childrens lives........ and that is so wonderful, also the school is very good on having some sort of diffrent activitys to do each week and month after month. Keep up the great work Grant Ranch, staff.
—Submitted by a parent