Walker Elementary School

Walker has the best principal around!!! The teachers enjoy teaching and our children enjoy learning!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love that Walker Elementary embraces the 'Fish!' Philosophy. Showing our kids the energy, creativity and passion that exists inside each of them as they learn to love what they do. JWES makes my day!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers and staff. Transparent. Welcomes parents as Dividends. Great communication. Just an overall awesome school!
—Submitted by a parent

Walker Elementary's teachers and students really care about learning and having fun doing that! We believe in 'being there' for each other, 'making each other's day, and choosing our attitude. We also work hard and play hard while learning! Everyone is passionate about their work. The heart of our school is our principal, Dr. Phillips. She makes learning fun and our teachers in high spirits. We love Walker! We are an A school, 5 star school and a Golden School! But the proof is in the smiles of our staff and students.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, staff and students love to be there everyday! Then energy within the building makes for an awesome learning environment!
—Submitted by a parent

The core of any school stems from the principal. Our principal Drl Kathy Phillips is one of a kind. She is active in all facets of the school. I've spotted her in the car line greeting the kids in the morning frequently. I've also seen her in the parking lot pushing a car because someone broke down. The thing that really sets her apart from all the other principals though is her ability to unite an entire school. She has an incredible staff of teachers but also keeps even the custodian motivated so that he is a treasure to the whole school when he sings Happy Birthday to every kid in the whole school on their respective birthday. Dr. Phillips is an incredible listener and she also has an incredible memory and knows every kids name in the whole school within a very short period of time. She sincerely concerned with each and every child in the school. She is, as I said, a one of a kind. She is dearly loved. She recently won principal of the year. She really deserves it every year!
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school the teacher and staff are outstanding!!
—Submitted by a parent

Joan Walker is a Wonderful School. Both my Children enjoy going to school and they adore their teachers. Most of all the teachers have made special arrangements for me si I can go on field trips. My involvement is very important for my children as well as myself. The only flaw that I can find is with parent communication. This not Walkers fault. The fault lis with the county as it has become very lacidazical in the past few years.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had to call the front office several times as the teacher's voicemail is always FULL. I write notes which go unanswered. It has been very frustrating. I have not been happy with the level of education which my child has receieved this year.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Walker for three years and we have had a wonderful experience so far. There are plenty of smiles and laughter to help balance out all of the new academic requirements put on young children these days. I feel very welcome at the school and my child is making great progress. I am very happy that we found this school!
—Submitted by a parent

We just started our 4th year at Walker. My oldest started in K the first year it opened and is now in 3rd grade. My youngest just started K and was very excited to join her big sister. MANY evening activities for parents/children. Focus on education and fun. Utilize the FISH philosophy and focus on making the children good citizens. Walker has the Seminole County principal of the year year and the rookie teacher of the year for 2006. My children love Walker and are learning lots!
—Submitted by a parent

We are entering are fourth year at Walker and have been very happy with the administration and teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent

We transferred our first grader from a private school to Walker in September and feel that it was one of the best decisions we've made as parents so far! His first grade teacher was great, the Principal is fantastic and the school is wonderful. At the end of our child's first year at the private school he couldn't wait to leave for the summer at the end of this year at Walker he didn't want to leave for summer break! What a change in his feelings about school! He's excelled in all of his classes, receiving 'outstanding' ratings in areas that he once had 'needs improvement'. He came into Walker below grade level in certain subjects that he is now above grade level in. We love Walker!
—Submitted by a parent

We started kindergarten at Walker and are now finishing first grade. We are extremely pleased with our child's curriculum and the excellent progress he has made. His teacher is wonderful with all of the children in the class. They use a system whereby the kindergarten teacher moves up to first grade so that the children have the same teacher for 2 years. I think this is excellent and definitely indicates where children fit in the scheme of the 'business' of teaching. Though I would like to see more traditional outside recess the specials classes are good in that they involve music, art, and computer, as well as heath and PE.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at this school are really helpful and kind to meeting the students needs. The administration and staff are pleasant and friendly. They make the atmosphere very welcoming and inviting to bring your child. I love this school. They provide a safe environment that is conducive to learning. The facility is always kept very clean. I love Walker.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have been at Walker Elementary for two years (since it opened) and the teachers and staff have been great. There was an instance that I had to contact the principal regarding a teacher and my child. Meetings were set and though I think it took too long to resolve, the issue was resolved and my child continued to progress with a great attitude toward school. Teachers are will to work with parents and students to assist them in doing their best. The SLD teachers work extremely hard to see that the students progress as well as the teachers that have the SLD students. Allowing the students to remain in the classroom and having the SLD teacher come in works very well. They've done a great job!
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that even though this is a brand new school (only in it's second year) it has a long way to go in putting children first. This school does not put their children's needs first. This school is run like a business. Bottom lines and 'school grades' is all that counts! fcat... Is all that matters! i am pulling my child out of this school even though we only live across the street from it. My child is in the 'gifted program' but is receiving no higher level learning! she her self has asked to be pulled from this school because of the way the students are treated.
—Submitted by a parent

Safety of the chidren is not a high priority.
—Submitted by Sherlynn Smith, a parent