Rocky Mount Elementary School

We have two children attending Rocky Mount and we couldn't be more pleased! Our children are challenged academically and valued as members of the school community. Our kids have had innovative, inspiring, and motivated teachers who seem to love their jobs. We chose to move into the Rocky Mount district because we liked the small school size and we haven't been disappointed.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not valued as a parent. This school wants to do what they want to do and wish the parents would keep their mouths closed. I am hoping Gail May the pincipal will retire soon or get transferred soon! Some of the teachers are good and my son has learned a lot BUT again on their terms with little communication.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fine school for all the kids that land on the bell curve. You will do fine and be pushed through the system. However, this school does not adapt well to children with specific needs. They are all categorized under one umbrella and never again looked at as capable of anything. However, there is a huge push to make sure they pass the CRCT's. This test seems to be the one thing this school focuses around and when that is over, so is the school year. Not much more learning goes on after the test, but my kids due tend to get a lot of movie watching time in.
--Submitted by a parent

Terrible communications to and with parents! The website is outdated and rarely updated, the PTA page has been 'under construction' since October 2010, and the Adminstrator's blog hasn't been updated at all since October. If you e-mail or call the administration, you will not get a response for days -if at all. The teachers are fantastic but with the poor adminstration and management of the school, I have to wonder how many good teachers will look to be reassigned to other schools. Compared to other schools in the area, Rocky Mount is about 20 years behind the times with regard to use of the web and communications with parents.
--Submitted by a parent

From the headmistress on down the staff focuses on the whole child.

Rocky Mount is a happy place to be whether you are a student, parent or teacher. I have been very impressed with the instructional program offered by the teachers as well as the parental and student support provided by the administration. I have nothing but postitive things to say about the principal, Mrs. May. She is a warm and friendly leader who seems genuinely invested in the success of each and every student at Rocky Mount.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically, Rocky Mount is outstanding. The teachers are wonderful and we've had great experience in the years we've been at this school. The extracurricular clubs offered are exceptional and make for well rounded students. Assistant Principal, Kyle Geisler is an amazing leader and very responsive to parents and the kids. Principal, Gail May, was new this school year but I did not see that same level of involvement and response out of her as I see with Mr. Geisler or the former principal, Beth Perry. Mrs. May came from a different role within the school district so hopefully she will adapt and be more responsive in coming years.
--Submitted by a parent

I have three kids in this school and they all love it. I would have a hard time finding another school, due to how much they love it here. The teachers are very involved with the kids and the parents and encourage parents to communicate, ask questions, and set up appointments if needed/wanted. The principal is a bit out of site, but I chalk that up to being new and the fact that we were spoiled with our last principal. Mrs. Peery was so outstanding, no one can compare. Mr. Geisler the assistant principal is very involved with the kids. He knows most all of them by name and they love the fact that he is always ready and willing to make a fool of himself if the right situation calls for it! The PTA is very involved and so are parents, that can. Overall it is a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my child here in this school because of its ratings. I must say this school has a friendly atmostphere and my daughter has a fantastic teacher. But I have to say I am absolutely disappointed with the new principal Mrs.Gail May. She makes no effort to get to know the parents. She walks around with an air of superiority and like the previous parent reported she is totally inaccessible to parents. Compared to her, Mr.Kyle, the assistant principal is much more humane than the existing principal. It is a shame that school rating has gone down all because of this principal. When I enrolled my daughter in this school , the rating was 10 in all fields. Poor choice in the principal... i second that fully !!!
--Submitted by a parent

Rocky Mount's teachers are outstanding and the after school program is top notch. However, the new principal is not nearly as involved or accessible to parents and students as the former principal was. The school and it's PTA make little to no room for a working parent to be fully involved in the school. Overall, we are pleased with the progress our children are making at Rocky Mount and for that, I credit the teachers 100%.
--Submitted by a parent