Beaver Ridge Elementary School

I live in Richmond, Virginia; my grandson is a second-grade student at Beaver Ridge. I was shocked to read and see on the web newscast that students were given math homework assignments about slavery. I want my grandson to learn about his black heritage and about the Frederick Douglass s fight to end slavery. However, there are better ways to teach 8 and 9 year olds the concepts of addition and substation then by counting the number of beatings of slave get in a week or the number of bushels cotton picked. Apparently this is not the first case of racial or ethnical indifference in school assignments at the county schools. I wonder what 8 or 9 years old student discusses the issue of slavery, the problem of illegal aliens, or issues of Islamic dress codes during class. These issues are not addressed in many high school Social Studies classes.
--Submitted by a parent

Beaver Ridge chooses to use slavery references in its 3rd grade math problems including: "Frederick got 2 beatings each day for a week. How many beatings did Frederick get?" How can anyone possibly think this is acceptable? Or want their child in this environment?

I am very unsure the third week into the first semester of school as to whether this is a good fit for my kindergartner. At this point no homework has come home and the teacher has made no efforts to communicate with us at all. Besides this the school seems to be a very segregated population. It is for the most part from what I see about 85% Hispanic. There are 3 African American children and 1 Caucasian out of about 22 students in the class. The rest of the children appear to be of Hispanic background. My son says when asked what is going on in his class that he is writes his name everyday and colors his shapes. He learned this stuff when he was two! Color me frustrated at this point. :(
--Submitted by a parent

My child attends this school and it is a wonderful place for a child to learn the skills they will need to know in order to make it once they enter middle school. Thanks for everything Beaver Ridge Staff!!!! thumbs up!!!
--Submitted by a parent

The principal to this school is not a very good one. He is bringing the school right below your very eyes.

I have 2 children at this school and we have moved to here from another county this year. This school is 150% better than the other school, the teachers really care about the kids, Mr DeJesus is a wonderful principal and even knows most kids by name ( and they are not even kids who get sent to his office) All in all it is a wonderful school, my kids love school again!!!
--Submitted by a parent

i have 2 children in school at beaver ridge. their teachers have always worked hard to make sure that they understood the work given to them. i am very proud to be a parent of beaver ridge students and very proud of all that the school has accomplished.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children, 3rd and 5th graders, that have excelled at BRES. Both are in the Focus program and my son is in the Chess Club. I have been very pleased with the quality of instruction they have received. I have major respect and appreciation for the principal, Esther Adames-Jimenez! She is awesome!!!
--Submitted by a parent

My child had many successful experiences at Beaver Ridge Elementary School. Diversity is welcomed and prized in a school where teachers and staff truly care about individual students. My son was encouraged to do his personal best, both academically and socially. Expectations of good behavior are high for all students. Teachers work hard to maintain close relationships with individuals as well as creating supportive classroom environments. My son and I are and always will be proud to have been a part of the Beaver Ridge family.
--Submitted by Melissa Smith, a parent

I have one child in this school and since his arrival in February, he has improved over 99.9% from his last school. They genuinely care about the children and encourage each one to go beyond the norm. It's diversified and eager to teach all students. They don't label any of the children so there's no conflict between who's the smartest or dumbest. It's the best school he's gone to so far where he loves being there. This is his last year at the school and he has learned so much in such a short time that he can apply it to everyday life and not be afraid of the changes. Thank you so much Beaver Ridge, your staff truly cares about your students and neighborhood.
--Submitted by Stephanie Parks, a parent