Chapel Trail Elementary School

My children have been attending this school for the past 3 years.They have blossomed, both academically and socially. Fantastic teachers and support staff. The principal and assistant principal seem detached, and at times, hostile. I have personally had no conflicts with them, nor have my children. They could use a refresher course in Personality 101. The teachers, I will say again, are top notch!! I would love to see more parents involved, both in the classroom and with school activities/functions.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and everyone is very nice and respectful. I cant say the same thing regarding the assistant principal, Mrs Coachman, she has a very bad attitude and does not know how to be polite to parents and students. From my experience with her, the school could do without her rudeness.
--Submitted by a parent

Let me just say my point based on experience as a student there, realizing their thoughtless flaws. Do they put your child in their appropriate learning level? Nope. Do they try to resolve bullying taking place at the school? No! Do they have teachers who make the kids feel that they will be able to do well in school? Absolutely not. If your child was a student who had no friends to socialize with, would a teacher ask your child's fellow students to give your child company? No such thing. If your child needed something (whether it be a bathroom emergency, a medical emergency, or an injury) will the staff always provide that for your child when needed the most? They don't give a baloney unless a bone is broken. So if your child has had bad experiences with bullies, CTE is a no-go. If your child has sensitive feelings, then this school will hurt their future self esteem.

its a great school only if you are hispanic..but if you are a different culture, then your kid is in trouble. very insensitive faculty, who are only aware of their hispanic culture.
--Submitted by a parent

Its a good school but they focus too much on FCATS I think. I don't see the kids being challenged as much as I thought I'd see and the adminstration is rather rude. They seem to think we cant hear them when they speak about kids or parents as we wait in the office. I'm not supper excited about this school. I think they can push our kids more and be a little nicer in that office.
--Submitted by a parent

The new principal lacks emotional intelligence and respect for the children. Dramatic change in the school and handeling student issues.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended 1-5 + 2 months K, ending 2008. All but 5th were good or great. Especially good were teachers marie rosenthal and michelle tse. 5th grade was bad. His fcat scores fell like a rock that year. His teacher was frequently absent. The principal, balchunas, was in the classroom every day to remind the kids to accept their autistic classmate. Worthy goal, but not handled well, class was constantly in chaos. I found balchunas unhelpful and dogmatic on substantive matters, while being a charismatic cheerleader for the school and himself.
--Submitted by a parent

Chapel Trail Elementary School should be a model for other schools to follow. The excellence in the administration and staff is second to none! We are losing an amazing Principal, Joseph Balchunas, but he has left an amazing groundwork and has put procedures in place to ensure that our school continues to be the Best in the West. We are fortunate to have a wonderful Intern Principal and an experienced and dedicated new Principal taking over. The parent involvement is extraordinary!
--Submitted by a parent

CTE is the best in the West as they proudly say. My child had a phenomal kindergarten year and so far so good this year. They have great teachers and Mr. B is really the best. But unfortunatetly, Mr. B is leaving CTE. We will greatly miss him. So will the children. Someone will have big shoes to fill!!! Mr. B, we wish you the best!
--Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough great things about this school. one thing we forget is what a awesome principal we are so fortunate to have here! this guy Mr. B. should be a role model of how a principal should be. HIs interaction with parents and students is superb! hope to keep him around a bit longer; i have 2 little ones in the school and i'm afraid they'll take him from our school if too many good things are said about him.
--Submitted by a parent