Bear Creek K-8 School

Go to their website and read their Student Handbook. OMG! Sounds like a prison. We live close to this school and were looking at our options. I would not send my child here based on their handbook-- it is ridiculous!
—Submitted by a parent

I have five kids at Bear Creek who have attended since kindergarten. We have been very happy with the education they have received.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is currently in 3rd grade at Bear Creek. His teacher's standards are impossibly high to meet and my son has lost so much of his self confidence and love of learning in these first short months with her. If your child is not 'perfect' they will not fit in here. I am battling with my son nightly to un-do the damage that my son's teacher does to him during the day. Telling him to do his best suddenly means nothing to him. He has told me he doesn't want to try anymore because nothing he does is good enough. I am a teacher myself and it breaks my heart to see my child be so beaten up by a person who is supposed to lift him up. I have reached out to his teacher and come to the conclusion that we fundamentally disagree on how children should be treated. If you think that your child is awesome, capable, and deserving to be heard, DO NOT SEND THEM TO BEAR CREEK!
—Submitted by a parent

I truely enjoy this school. It is a harder school and I think that my kids benefit from this. I have a daughter that graduated this year from Bear Creek High and was in the top 10% of her class. It's a little harder for my son but I push him and the teachers have been there to help him. They are willing to be in early and stay after school to help their students. The principle seems to know everyone by name and the staff too.
—Submitted by a parent

I like this school. Teachers are wonderful.Kids have homework everyday. That is true. I stay with my kids during home work it takes 2 hours
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not for the C's are ok lazy kids! I love the fact that this school is hard on the kids, the last thing i want my kids to be taught is that you can go to school and just "Get By". If you are a parent that hates to sit with your child and help him thru 2 hours of homework every night then you can send them to a less involved school, as this is why you might not like Bear Creek( WEEK is for WORK, WEEKENDS are for FUN!) I love the fact that not only is Bear Creek K-8 involved with the community but they are very involved with after school activities. I am glad both of my kids are enrolled in Bear Creek K-8 as i can see that they are preparing my kids for future outstanding scores and grades. Kids will be Kids.... Bullies are at every school and if you teach you kids how to deal with bullies the right way then your chid will never have a problem. With the education Bear Creek K-8 provides please pull your kids out, if you are not happy with the 2 hours of homework or being involved with the community and want to be LAZY..... "move out the way" plenty of parents that want to give their kids the best "public education" possible will gladly take your place!
—Submitted by a parent

I was the parent that rated 1 star and it won't allow me to edit my review. But I am changing my review. because even though the teacher didn't fallow the protocol. the Principle did take the matter Seriously and the matter appears to be resolved for now. and the kids and my kid called it truce. And I am Very Happy With that out come.
—Submitted by a parent

We researched and visited LOTS of schools, in and out of District before we chose Bear Creek K-8. Our children have been open-enrolled at Bear Creek K-8 collectively, for the past 11 years. The older children who have moved on to high school and doing SO WELL confirms that we made the right choice in choosing BCK8. Have there been any problems along the way? Of course there has been a problem here and there, but we do not choose to focus our attention on problems. We are mature enough to understand that no school is "perfect" and no matter which school you choose, it won't be "perfect" either; Welcome to life! If we had it to do all over again, we wouldn't waste our time looking anywhere else, because, BEAR CREEK K-8 IS AWESOME and have a nice day!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Bear Creek K-8 for three years. She is reading 3 grade levels above hers and is half way through mastering simple multiplication. All this is second grade! Yes, the work load is higher than the surrounding schools, but I feel this will prepare my child for a brighter future and what awaits her there.
—Submitted by a parent

I also have kids at this school 3 of them. The homework is very excessive. Most evenings can't do nothing becuase of the homework. We too have problems with bullies and they also take the bus and have alot of problems before, during, and after the bus ride. The language out of these kids mouth we do not use in our home very disrespectful. We came from differnt school and wish we had never moved to have this school there home school is has been horrible!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who are in the 4th and 3rd grades and have been at Bear Creek since Kindergarten. In so many important ways this school is excellent. Students are pushed to work above their grade but not unreasonably. Math, English and reading are highlighted but the school also excels at music, art and PE. Homework is reasonable and reinforces what is learned in class. The schools expects good behavior from all its students and enforces discipline to keep kids focused and on task. For parents who want their children to get an excellent education, who expect high standards and are prepared to support the school's efforts, I would very highly recommend Bear Creek.
—Submitted by a parent

Currently, my child attends the 1st grade at Bear Creek. I choose to put my son in BC even though we lived out of the district because all the positives I head about it. It's been the worst decision I could have made. Not only has his tenured teacher demonstrated unprofessionalism, but her behavior towards my son has caused his self esteem and confidence to go down the tubes. During the course of the year my son suffered an emotional trauma and his teacher was directed by my sons psychologist and school administrators to provide more positive reinforcement. This also included sending home daily reports of how his day went via email. His teacher continued her negative way of discipline and pretty much refused to send the daily reports unless asked several times by myself or school administrators. My son spent 2-3 hours a night doing homework or reports (working very hard on them too!). Then would receive marginal grades for acceptable and correct work. My son no longer fits their mold and they have made it uncomfortable for him to attend. I am seeking out another school before they can cause anymore damage to my son.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child does not fit their mold they will make it as uncomfortable as possible for your child to stay. I agree with other posts stating that the homework is excessive. Bulling is a problem. Students are chastised by teachers and other students and nothing is done about it.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers do not discipline the students very well and bulling seems to be a problem , no discipline seems to take action when it comes into play

If you are looking for a private school education from public school, this is the place. We have gone to 2 other Elementary schools before finding Bear Creek. We left for a year but then came back, happy to be in a school that doesn't dumb down education. Bear Creek chooses their curriculum, Jeffco doesn't choose it for them. It has an amazing art and music program. I'm awed by what the kids bring home to show me or the fact they can spot a Monet from across the room in a museum.
—Submitted by a parent

its excellent.im a student there.
—Submitted by a student

Great school! Teachers encourage the students and allow them to progress past their grade level if needed. Entire school is setup to push the students to achieve more. I have students in K through 5 and they are all loving the school as well.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started at K and has been making excellent strides. The staff is awesome along with the principal and nurse. This is a school that looks at all facets of a child down to allergies to make sure that the student is well attended and cared for!
—Submitted by a parent

I had a child attend this school after attending a nearby private preschool. I would have to tell you that this school is NOT for every child no matter how 'excellent' it's ratings are. The homework is excessive. The schools main focus is excellent CSAP scores. The children take pretests to prepare and are graded on it. My son after 2nd grade was told he could not read anymore picture books from the library. My son was not interested in their way of learning because it was all black and white with no connection to reality. He was excellent in Math but when sent with money to a snack booth was confused. They did very little art and brought nothing home but 2-3 hours of homework. This school does not adjust for the speed each individual child needs to learn at and takes the drive out of childs learning desires.
—Submitted by a parent

I had two children who attended Bear Creek K8 , one beginning in 4th grade and the other in 6th. It is definitely a far cry from the ordinary Jefferson County School. Though one child came from a GT magnet school, she was behind when we transferred her to BC in 4th grade. After one year and a lot of encouragement and help from both teachers and parents, she was on track with the other students. After graduating from 8th last year, she had accelerated so much that she entered 9th grade in an Honors PreCalc class as well as 4th year Spanish. I give credit to all the teachers she had from grades 4th-8th. She loved BC and returns to help whenever possible. I found that the most successful students had actively involved parents. They have an awesome sports program,thanks Missy.
—Submitted by a parent