Lewiston Elementary School

My son attends Lewiston and my older son attended K-5th grade there also. We have been very Happy with the teachers, principal and front office staff. If I ever have a problem or issue it is always resolved in a timely manner. Dr. Doolittle truely cares about this school and the students. I don't mind paying a late fee or an envelope replacement fee if it will benefit my sons school. You cannot judge the school by one teacher. if I had an issue and it wasn't being resolved I would definately contact Dr. Dolittle. I give LES an A+!
—Submitted by a parent

This school plays strict with parents for anything small, like paying befor/afters-school before friday every week, if not you get hit with a $10penalty, or if you lose the envelope, you need to pay $1 to get another, but yet when parents want to request certain interest such as reporting bullying, they do not obey by their own policies. There is a three strike you're out rule, where if a child is caught bullying another child three times they will make child leave the school. My daughter has been bullied several times, where the teacher was aware and never reported it to me nor the principle. I came to find out through my daughter and witnessing the same child bullying my daughter in a school event. luckily, the other child's parents where there and I was able to express my concerns, they were never notified about the incident either. Parents be very careful! They do not encourage parents to get involved in anything unless is volunteering or raising money for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved here and I love this school and my children love this school. The car rider pick up line is very well maintained and safe. They teachers do a great job taking care of 100 kids waiting to be picked up by car, plus they keep the bus and car riders on opposite sides of the building. Children this age are old enough to know who should be picking them up and they wouldn't even be outside waiting to be picked up unless they are a car rider. We have had excellent communication with the teachers who also informed us that our children are a little bit behind, but we are working on getting them caught up and the teachers have gone out of their way to be helpful with the process. Everyone in the office is very friendly and courteous. I can't believe anyone would rate this school lower than 4 stars, this is a wonderful school!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids at Lewiston and this is our 3rd year there. Every teacher we've had has been very caring and attentive to our children. I find that the teachers are perfectly willing to let me come into the class to visit or volunteer at anytime.
—Submitted by a parent

My children do not attend this school and they will never step foot into it. Right now my children attend South Columbia which I love. We are in the process of buying a house which is zoned for Lewiston. After reading the comments from this website and being concerned about the lack of concern for checking ID's when someone picks up a child there, I called the school. The person I spoke with was very rude, abrupt, and noncaring. I asked what the procedure is for car riders. She said they call the child to the car. You don't have to have any type of paper in your dashboard or anything, they just trust the kids know who they're allowed to ride with. I asked the lady, so if there is someone that has been abusive to the child and is not allowed to pick up the child, such as a father, they could pull up and tell you the child's name and you would let them go with him with no questions asked? She said yes, we just have to trust the child knows who they can go with. I said so a 5 year old should be responsible for this instead of the adults at the school. She said yes and the only thing I can suggest if you don't like that is let them ride the bus. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Lewiston this past year for Kindergarten and it was exceptional! He learned so much and I was very happy with his education. I will agree, that there is a lack of communictaion between teacher and parents to some degree. Since there is a teacher aide in the classroom, much parent participation is not needed. However, in grades 1-5 I know they rely more on parent involvement within the classroom. I am sending my daughter this year for Kindergarten too and willl have 2 kids at Lewiston!
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that there is a lack of parent/teacher communication. I know of several that have considered pulling their children out and homeschooling them. When you complain to the principal, he does nothing. I think this school needs some work. The car rider line is dangerous. I have picked up friends children an the last minute (I am not even on their contact list). Other elementary schools around town have numbers they have to keep in their cars. If you don't have that in your dashboard, you can't pick up your child. Lewiston has nothing. They just rely on trust. I have picked up my children from the front office and never been checked . I don't care if they know everything about me. They should always check my ID. I have emailed the school and the board and nothing has changed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child currently attends Lewiston Elementary and she absolutly LOVES it. She has had some wonderful teachers the last 2 years and has really excelled. We both look forward to the next few years there. The before and afterschool program is also very well run. I have never had any problems with communication with office staff or teachers. The specials teachers (PE, Art and Music) are excellent and the music productions are very well put together and fun! Overall a Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Lewiston since 1st grade and sadly, this will be our last year. It has been absolutely wonderful. The population has skyrocketed since we've been there but the quality of the education has not suffered. My children have been blessed with wonderful and caring teachers who have prepared them not only for middle school, but for life. The administration is very approachable and hands on. The PTO has helped to purchase a lot of technology for the classrooms and I know my kids have loved using it. There are plenty of volunteer oportunities to be involved in, which I enjoyed.. We moved to this county for the school system and hand picked Lewiston. We are confident that it was the best decision for our children and our family.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a military family and arrived to GA 2 years ago. We have been disappointed with them since then. They lost the medical documentations we turned in for our two children to start school. It was not easy making appointments in a short period of time to get our children screened. Of course we had to go through the entire process again. Also, one of the teachers kept telling us how behind military children are. That was not something we wanted to hear. The teacher had enough nerve to mention it more than once to us. Also, when we come to our children's conferences, we want to hear about our children, NOT the teacher's children.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from out of state and I chose Lewiston for the 8 rating so we tried to find a home near there. Now I'm questioning myself why?? The teacher/parent communication is horrible! I was told numerous times that the best way to reach the teacher is through their emails. Nope. Two weeks later still no response. So I started writing letters still no response to my concerns. Calling doesn't work either. Its amazing how my child who was an honor student is slipping and I can't seem to get any communication as to why. Next I will be talking to the principal to see if that changes anything. Also the parent pick up is horrible. You pull up and say your kids names and they call them to your car. Anyone can ask for your kids names and be sent to that car and they would have no idea..seriously this day and age!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending Lewiston for two years now, and we've been very impressed. Dr. Doolittle is a wonderful principal who really cares about his students and school. I enjoy volunteering at the school, and everyone is so appreciative. The teachers my son has had are wonderful and are always easy to reach to discuss anything. The school does focus a lot the whole year on the CRCT test, and I do wish the kids could learn more than just what they need to for a passing the test. Other than that, I love the school and I hope that we can find such a great school when we move next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been nothing but satisfied with Lewiston Elementary. I think with anything we do in life there is room for improvement however, the school is vastly improving daily. The principal and the teachers are dedicated to their profession and our children's success. Dr Doolittle has been an amazing assett to Lewiston and has impressed me greatly with his involvement and constant communication to the parents. The school has done a fantastic job keeping all parents informed of events, news, information, etc. I feel that there is no better option.
—Submitted by a parent

. I was very disappointed when my son started at Lewiston. I felt that his teacher had favorites. My child has always dreamed of riding the bus and I let him. Some of the teachers turned their noses up at that. The car rider line is extremely unorganized. There needs to be a better system in place. I could literally go there and tell them any childs name and they would call that child to my car. I have had my brother- in-law pick up my child from the front office and they did not ID him. I feel sorry for the working parents. I feel the school only respects those who are members of the PTO or volunteers. Some parents cannot! I think they should be treated equally! You shouldn't have to kiss butt for your child to be treated right.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and staff were less than welcoming to my daughter when we arrived. Midyear transitions are hard on everyone, but my daughter's teacher expected everyone taught the same, and did not take the time out to explain new proceedures or material. Recess is at the end of the day, if at all, and lunch is at 12:50, so the children are getting burned out. I realize test scores are important but so is being a kid. My daughter who use to love school dreads going and has brought home a warning almost everyday for lack of anytime to relax throughtout the day. It is sad to see children who are unable to do anything but study for a test all year to ensure the school gets proper funding. I am hoping it is the teacher and it will be better next year. This district was suspose to be the best.
—Submitted by a parent

THe office staff is often rude. Typically they ignore you unless you demand attention if you can find someone around. Most of the teachers are very dedicated but communication between them and support educatora leaves a lot to be desired. They try but they just can't get organized or in synce. The principal is clueless.
—Submitted by a parent

We were at Lewiston for 2 years and were very unhappy there. The principal didn't seem interested in listening to our concerns. There wasn't many chances to get involved. The PTO wasn't welcoming for us either. We felt like outsiders the whole time. The teachers at Lewiston are very nice and warm. We just moved out state and are so happy with the opening arms of the new school and PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

Lewiston has also been a huge disappointment to our child.They have some wonderful caring teachers but not at all supportive administrators.They do not follow up at all with parents concerns.The principal and assistant principal should not be at an elementary school !
—Submitted by a parent

Lewiston is an excellent school. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the classroom. Teachers are top-notch and have earned numerous grants for special programs. The art, music, computer, special education, early intervention, gifted child and counseling programs are outstanding. The principal goes out of his way to get to know every child in that school. I believe he knows them all by name. Through the second grade, every classroom has a teacher and a teacher's aid in the calssroom. The children are challenged to do their best and they thrive at this school. I will really miss this school when my son moves on to middle school. Lastly, the ladies who run the PTO could be more open to newcomers and new ideas. Their primary objective is fundraising, which they are very good at. They are not a reflection of the the staff or performance of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a Lewiston Elementary for 1 1/2 years. I have been very disappointed in the school, we still feel like outsiders. We are a military family and I have always been involved in my childs school, the PTO board does not welcome newcomers or change. This is the first school we have ever had this type of experience. I do not recommed this school.
—Submitted by a parent