Prairie Crossing Elementary School

I am very pleased with this school. The school has a true sense of community and parent involvement. The focus is on the big picture, not a week of tests. The technology at this school is fantastic as is the teacher teaching it. It is embedded in everything - I love that. They try to best practices into practice and not just say they are. The principal is GREAT! He runs the school always concerned about the kids first. He makes education decisions as an educator not because parents think they know more; like in other Parker schools. My only negative is that a majority of the primary teacher s classrooms although pretty, well organized and neat, are not set up with boys in mind.
--Submitted by a parent

Why are the csap scores so bad compared to other area schools? The principal has a no homework policy I've heard and maybe that is why my kids arent held accountable for anything. All their friends have now transfered out of the school to go to better ones in the area.
--Submitted by a parent

I've had experience with this great school since the 06/07 school year and I have only good things to say about how my child has been treated by their teachers and staff. Mr. McDowell is involved and knows the kids by name and strives to maintain a respectful environment where all kids can learn. My 2nd is on an IEP in kindergarten so we are waiting to see how that pans out - based on my experience with special ed staff in preschool, I have high hopes. The one thing I'm not crazy about is their math curriculum.
--Submitted by a parent

I would be cautious upon considering sending your student to Prairie Crossing. I have been disappointed with the principal's knowledge level of classroom instruction and assessment. My experience with this school is that the staff's ability to differentiate instruction is challenging. In addition, when reviewing the school's CSAP scores it is disappointing to see their declining scores within the past 3 years. While this school has staff members that are very friendly and welcoming, the quality of this school's performance is currently not competitive with other Parker schools.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and principal are absolutely the best I have ever encountered. They care and take initiative to make their students succeed.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal of this school is an extremely good leader and great administrator. He leads his impeccible staff in ways that get them to motivate, encourage and lead the students. I have two children enrolled at Prairie Crossing and both can't wait to go to school. The support staff is also amazing. I am proud to be a parent and volunteer at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has gone to Prairie Crossing for the 2010-2011 school year and I have had nothing but a great experience for this school year thus far. The teachers are so helpful, update me on what is happening in the classroom at least once a week and are there to make sure your child succeed with their education. They have even contacted me when they felt that I need to focus on certain areas more than others where my child was struggling, to make sure that she exceeds in all areas not just those were she has succeeded. They have also started working one on one within the classroom in those areas and also gave suggestions on how to meet these goals inside and outside the classroom. We have already seen a great improvement. The principle is great and is always willing to help. He always has a smile on his face and knows my child by name. Overall I feel this is a great school and I am excited to have my child continue to go here over the next several years.
--Submitted by a parent

My child was a student here. All was great when David Ray was principal. He hired the most skilled and passionate teachers, he responded well to parent concerns (but was far from a push-over), and fostered a real sense of community. The current leadership has driven out most of the good teachers and replaced them with weaker instructors. The current principal, in my experience, responds to requests/concerns/complaints with a smug defensiveness that would drive weaker folk crazy. His pomposity is underwhelming and irritating and results in NOTHING getting done for kids. My son, who is very bright, regressed during his last year at PCE. Somehow, he's managed to recoup that "lost" year and then some, just be being in a more nurturing, positive environment with a more skilled and loving staff.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is very friendly as far as the teachers and students. The students seem happy for the most part and the teachers are very inviting and friendly. This is my second year as a parent at PCE. My bad experience has been with the principal. He seems to do whatever the parents want, and give in. I have heard of teachers not being supported by him when a parent complains or has an issue and the teacher doesn't get a chance to explain her/himself. I am not sure he values good teachers and instead values what the parents want. I have always been a parent who does not assume my children are always perfect. I would recommend PCE because of the teachers, not the principal.
--Submitted by a parent

Prairie Crossing has some of the best teachers!!
--Submitted by a parent