Shaffer Elementary School

I moved my child to a different school down the street. In kindergarten(a private k we paid for) my daughter was the role model student. She was very smart, well-behaved, and would help wherever you needed her to. At this school my daughter all of a sudden started having behavior issues. Literally out of the blue. She tested for the gifted and talented program and tested out of the regular school work. She was WAY ahead of where she needed to be. She was suppose to be put on an advanced learning plan and the teacher did nothing. My daughter lost most of what she had as far as academics and behavior. I'm so sad I let her finish the entire school year at this school instead of moving her. The principle was atrocious to work with she is not there for the children what-so-ever. My daughter is at a new school just a few miles away and the difference is mind blowing. To be fair my daughter only completed 1st grade at this school so my review is based only on 1 year. I have seen more than one family from last year at our new school. I can only imagine why.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is clean and although I do not feel my child is being bullied or physically abused, the curriculum or lack there of is atrocious! This is our first year in any Jefferson County school and we are extrememely disappointed. My son is in the 2nd grade and doing work he did in Kindergarten in our last school. The teacher is nice and tries, but she is a victim of the school district as we are. I looked into moving him to another district, but he didn't want to because staying at Shaffer has allowed him to do before school programs like Karate and Foriegn Language. But, those are offered by outside companies that come in and teach, not the school. I have had to adpopt a home school curriculum at hope to pick up the slack from the school. I look at Shaffer as nothing more than public daycare. Atleast he gets to socialize, that's about all he is getting out this school along with the extracurriculars. If you have exprememly low expectations for your child's education, send them here. We will probably be leaving after this year...sadly!
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids had attended shaffer for two years when we decided to withdraw them and choose a safer learning environment. Friends of ours withdrew their children after just one month. Overcrowded and very low expectations for academic achievement and social behavior. Administration and faculty we experienced need much improvement in leadership and social skills. We agree with slander among faculty of student's personal information being an issue here. We also agree with bullying comments; both among students and unfortunately, some faculty directed towards the students daily. The administration seems to have lost control over the years from what we have gathered.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been attending Shaffer for going on 4 years. We have had a very good experience overall. Our teachers have all been good, my kids are learning, the parental involvement is great, there are tons of extracurricular activities for kids to choose from and my kids have never been victims of any bullying. I come from a place where my childhood friends can't send their kids to the public schools anymore, so I am appreciative of the great neighborhood school we have. Perhaps you should look for another school for your child if it is truly as bad as you describe.
—Submitted by a parent

Accusing teachers of bullying students is crazy? Your comment is crazy. Why would anyone choose to express their grief about a school they place their trust in for the care of their own child and fabricate? Please, spend your time investigating how to change the hostile environment rather then defend a broken system. There are specific teachers in this school that spread malicious rumors about children's parents and about the children to other parents and their children creating almost a war environment. Despicable.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending Shaffer for 4 years. He has had an exceptional teacher every year and we are very pleased with the instruction he is getting. The community of kids and parents are over-whelmingly supportive and friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

Shaffer Elementary is an excellent school to consider if you are new to Littleton, Colorado or new to the Jefferson County School District. We found the school s curriculum challenging for all different ranges of learning. The staff at Shaffer is dedicated to the students and community. Shaffer s teachers are constantly working on improving their skills to be able to educate the students with state of the art technology. Shaffer also offers extracurricular activities such as a language, science, and music programs. There is also a running club, junior great books reading group, math group, writing group and choir. Shaffer also helped establish a sister school in Kenya, Africa. Some of the teachers go to Kenya and assists teaching at the sister school over summer break. The community supports Shaffer through volunteering hours, supporting PTA efforts, Watch Dog Dad program, and fund raising events. Shaffer has given our daughter the skills necessary to move forward on her progress towards higher levels of learning. All families experiences are different just like our perceptions. I encourage anyone interested in Shaffer Elementary to visit the school. We send our daughter
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at this school for 4 years now and has never experienced bullying nor has he witnessed any. I don't understand the previous reviewer's comments on bullying. Also, I think that accusing teachers of being involved in the bullying is crazy. This is a great school!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Shaffer for just 3 months before we decided to move her to a different school. Although she liked her teacher and the kids, the work was not challenging. When I communicated this to the teacher, absolutely nothing was done. In fact, when I told the teacher the books she was sending home for reading were too easy, she actually told me to have her read it backwards......unbelievable! When we decided to leave the school nobody even asked why. You would think that when a bright, well behaved child leaves a school that the teacher and/or principal would want to know why. I believe they simply don't care.
—Submitted by a parent

We have never experienced the horrific level of bullying as in this school. We have watched as bright and friendly children, year after year, withdraw and transfer due directly to bullying. Some of the faculty is no exception, and in fact instigate the bullying. There is little accountability for the students, let alone the instructors for poor choices. This school is dangerous. Do yourself a favor, before you place your child in a dangerous situation, research the number of children checking "out", before you check yours in. Talk to parents waiting; dropping off or picking up their children to and from school during the week. You would be really surprised what honesty and insight you receive. Sigh..
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good things to say about this school. My children love it and they have been very supportive with the special education program. My children have not been bullied. Their reading and math curriculum is excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started this year at Shaffer Elem. as a 5th grader and loves it!! We moved from a very small town, her 4th grade class only had 10 kids. I am very happy with the school as well. Thanks to all for being so helpful!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Shaffer since K and is now in 5th. It has been a good school for her and she has done well. They do teach "to the tests", but that is a CO thing rather than a Shaffer thing. Her teachers have all been good, and parent involvement is very high. That being said, parent involvement is expected with projects and homework. Also have band for 4th and 5th. Lots of extra curricular if you like. I have been happy she has gone to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been really disappointed with Shaffer. Kids that cause problems are not dealt with appropriately, and as a consequence their peers suffer. There is a consistent problem with bullying, and the administration is decidedly lax about dealing with any issues that come up. From an educational standpoint, our child has not only not been challenged, but every effort has been made to lump all kids in to the same skill-level, resulting in frustration and disappointment by all of us. Although the scores were historically high, they have decreased dramatically over the past few years, and we believe that kids are being taught to the test. We are looking to pull our child from this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Very, very disappointed in the administration at Shaffer. My second grader was physically assaulted numerous times last year by the same student. The "zero tolerance" policy is just talk. This student bully picked on many other kids in the class and was never appropriately disciplined. The principal minimized incidents, in my opinion, so they wouldn't have to be dealt with, and couldn't be bothered to discuss or even acknowledge the consistent issues our student had with the bully. I am very unhappy with Shaffer and consider this a probationary year. If things don't improve, we will move schools. Shaffer also seems to have lost numerous students from the previous school year. Academically, I am underwhelmed. Agree that they teach to the CSAP scores, which have dropped significantly over the past few years. It doesn't seem like the teachers are empowered. I do not believe the principal is equipped, engaged or experienced enough to handle the responsibility of her role.
—Submitted by a parent

Disappointing. Teacher's should be required to supervise, on a rotation schedule, the lunchroom and recess periods. The "Aides" hired for these jobs are brutal, abusive, and negligent. We choose to remove our children from the (practically) 15 minute lunch and later recess, in favor of a more civil and peaceful experienced break. The school primarily teaches to test. Not a very enriched learning environment that it could and should be to prepare the young for the competitive world out there. Bullying on the playground is frequent. Very little focus on science and social studies. Reading program is weak. Students in the higher end of the class are cognitively starved as a result of school crowding and large gap of learning curve per classrooms. Agreed, the math and writing programs here are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is not a nice school. From the minute you walk in the door, you'll see what I mean. Their scores may be good, because they teach to the CSAPs, but that's about it. If you have an "average" child, this may be your school. Anything above or below, look elsewhere, for the sake of your child.
—Submitted by a parent

Strongly recommend avoiding this school. Achievement is rarely acknowledged. Standardized tests scores, student classroom daily and cumulated results are inconsistent with report card scoring. Very little class time is used for teaching. Disney movies or TV is substituted at least an hour, weekly (sometimes daily), in every grade we've experienced so far. Half of core subject areas scheduled last hour of days where frequent parties/early dismissal replace learning. Math program is excellent. All other core subject areas extremely and dangerously lacking; almost nonexistent. Little to no consequence for frequent bullying is consistent. Faculty chooses to walk away, while daily bullying continues. Lunch experience is harsh and rushed. Children are told to sit quietly, eat quickly, yelled at, and in assigned seats. Overcrowded due to bussed in additional population from distant neighborhoods. Principal leadership lacking. Parent involvement and financial/physical participation is acceptable, however, donations rarely allocated directly towards core subject area funding.

I now have two children going to Shaffer. The school has a great collection of teachers, and a very strong support group of parents in the community. There are many parents who are heavily involved with the school, volunteering often. I agree with some other postings about how rushed the lunch period is, though they have made some changes to the staff who oversee lunches, so that there is no longer someone constantly telling the kids to hurry up and eat. Overall, this is a great school, and a great community.
—Submitted by a parent

We did a lot of research and chose our neighborhood based upon the school ratings. We really appreciate the loving care our children have gotten since we moved here. The school feels safe, the teachers are wonderful. The con is that I think they let too many kids in from outside the district. The means more classes per grade, needing to use the outbuildings, shorter lunches (which is a HUGE issue with me -- I hate the idea of my kids gulping down lunch and not even finishing it) and less one-on-one. I also wish the school would be more green (recycling better and serving organic healthy lunches)
—Submitted by a parent