Prairie Crossing Elementary School

High praise for Prairie Crossing! Dont be lulled into thinking TCAPs say everything about a school. You can see in the numbers there are 4 or 5 kids who are underperforming and must be on an IEP or ILP. My 5th grader chose to stay at PCE rather than transfer to the charter school because he liked his teacher so much. The charter was interested in him but not too much in my younger who is on an IEP and has some learning deficits. They said "we want our kids to be a year ahead, I dont think your son would be happy here". The spec ed staff has treated my son with respect and concern, has been open to ideas, flexible and most of all dedicated to helping him succeed. His teacher has been so good to advocate for his needs with the spec. ed staff. We were very happy about change in writing curriculum as well as change in math curriculum from Everyday Math to Singapore. He is finally learning math basics and algebraic concepts that he is going to need to advance to higher math.
—Submitted by a parent

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 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

I have little respect for a school whose administration has no respect for the staff and parents that make all things possible. It also amazes me how school communications, newsletters, and updates are frequently released with glaring typo's all throughout the communications. This lack of attention to detail is again reflective of the leadership of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school, the Teachers and the staff are very professional, the help they give to the kids, the extracurriculum activities is fantastic. the most important is that my kids love to go to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been there every step of the way in helping my special needs child (which we just recently found out about-with the help of his teachers). He is academically advanced and the teachers have a true concern for his well-being. Nothing but pleased!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has gone to Prairie Crossing for two years and we have been very happy. The teachers are wonderful and very caring.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three of our children going to Prairie Crossing and I have to say the teachers are awesome but the administration of the school really stinks. We have had multiple issue with the principle,school therapist and psychologist. One of my children has some issues that needed the help from the school and they have time and time again dropped the ball on helping my child. If your child has special needs I would strongly recommend not sending your child to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm in seventh grade and I went to Prairie Crossing second to sixth grade. I loved it all my teachers were amazing. I blame my success in middle school to them.
—Submitted by a former student

Prairie Crossing Elementary School is a wonderful school. The teachers are very friendly and there are several after school programs to choose from. The academic programs seem to be further ahead than Trails West where my children went to school before they came to this one.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loved Prairie Crossing. The principal Mr. Ray was very involved and even attended outdoor ed with the 6th graders. He loves what he does and truly takes pride in his school and teachers. The teachers are also excellent. They also enjoy the children and their job. They participated in many after school events such as the barn dance. They use the 'everyday math' method. My daughter easily qualified for Alegebra in middle school. We have made several moves over the years. This is by far the best school my daughter has attened.
—Submitted by a parent

Great principal who is dedicated not only to academics, but to the children and development of their moral character, as well. As a Christian who had a hard time moving my son from a private, Christian school to a public one, I have to say that Prairie Crossing made the transition much easier than I expected. My husband and I have been very happy with my son's teachers, with the facility, and with the principal's involvement in the programs.
—Submitted by Shannon, a parent

Absolutely a wonderful school. The pricipal has hired a fantastic staff of teachers. The school's staff really care about the children and their learning experience!
—Submitted by a parent