Ward-Highlands Elementary School

While the new principal (thank goodness) is making strides, I still find this school to be focused on the "model A grade student". If you're child is average, earning C's, B's and an A or two, they are not made to feel successful. There is such a focus on "A's" and perfection that it takes away from the personal gains that individual children make. I would like to see some improvement in this area, as well, with exception to 1 female PE teacher who is great, the others and cafeteria staff are horrible. I witnessed "screaming" at children by PE staff as children came into the cafeteria. The prison comment in another post has some familiarity to it. Lighten up and put some fun back into elementary education and since when is "average" something to feel bad about? Bill Gates was an "average" student!!
--Submitted by a parent

Ward Highlands is a child based school. They think about the children first. I would refer any child here.
--Submitted by a parent

we have 2 kids in this school for the 2nd year. 1 has child has ADHD with a 504 plan and the other is being tested for gifted. I have never encountered such politics, rudness and indifference to the children as I have in this school from the principal, to the guidance counselors and certain teachers. The more you advocate for your children the more the administration dislikes you. Overall the admin. is very condesening to the parents, and the school is run like a prison not an elementary school. I am hoping to get my children into a charter school next year where the true concern is the children and not the 'A' or 'B' rating of the school!! It is very apparent that the rating is more important to this school than the children. We think this school stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have found this school to be the best ones my child has attended in Marion County. The principal and staff have always been so polite and helpful to me and my child.
--Submitted by a parent

my child has been attending ward highland elem. for about two years now, i really like the fourth grade teachers. the principle, she gets on my nerve now and again. one minute she's nice and the next she's mean. she talk down to the parents sometimes and i don't like that. i hope one day she would realize how she put people down.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended 2-5th grade here and now my daughter is on her 2nd year at Ward Highland. This school has to be the most family friendly school I know of. They have activites for the families all through out the year that they can attend in the evenings and the teachers are great! I know exactly what they are learning and how they are doing all the time. Thanks Ward Highland Staff for all that you do!
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Ward Highlands for the past two years. He has shown enormous improvement since he began attendance there. His teachers have been dedicated workers. I have been very impressed with the level of parent-teacher communication. Additionally, the pricnipal is not an esoteic figure. He can be seen moving around the campus, chatting with kids, teachers, and parents at various times during the day.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a good school. Teachers are very accessible and easy to talk to. There is no recess after lunch, but the students have gym 3 times a week outdoors (There is no gym). They are remodeling the entire campus one building at a time, so there is no playground at this time to allow for construction. Our experience has been a good one.
--Submitted by a parent

Exellent school. Out of all the schools my child attended this has been the best. their staff is understanding and very supportive and i loved the way they communicated with me about my childs progress
--Submitted by a parent

this is a great school. I love the after school activities, and that students have recess.
--Submitted by a parent