Walnut Grove Elementary School

My daughter is a 1st grader this year at WGES and we absolutely love this school! The staff is great and really care about each and every student.
—Submitted by a parent

It appears that somebody has an issue with a certain primary teacher. As a parent, my child has been in the teacher's classroom for 2 years. Yes, she did have a baby. Yes, she has 2 other children so she misses some time. But she has also been an incredible teacher for our son the past 2 years. And she has not missed all the days you allege. All the parents were given the option of having their kids placed with her for a 2nd year, knowing she would be on maternity leave for the first month of school. And how many parents signed "yes" we want her to teach our child another year...21 parents! Yes- the entire class! This teacher was nothing but professional and showed the kids unconditional love for 2 years- not to mention excellent instruction. My child amazed me of what he came home and told me of what he did in class that day. There were many tears the last day of school in my son's classroom- both the teacher and the students. The previous poster has been making allegations about this teacher for a couple of years now...since likes an unhappy parent.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my son's first year in kindergarten at WG. I really enjoyed the school and his teacher. My son had a rough start in kindergarten because of the strict structure but his teacher never gave up on him and he is doing excellent. He is reading and writing sentences as well as doing math. I am so grateful for his teacher and that she loves what she does!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids attending Walnut Grove Elementary School this year, and 2 that have moved on to Middle School and High School. We just LOVE this school! My older ones still talk about their teachers that they had in elementary school and love to visit them every chance they get, the younger ones love going to school every day and get excited every time they see their teachers. As for us I don't recall any bad experiences with any of my children, and we've been with them for over 10 years. I would recommend this school to anybody!
—Submitted by a parent

The most unprofessional staff I have ever encountered. Teachers lie, gossip, and talk about students in the hallway before and after school. There is also a HUGE issue with staff attendance. Too many teachers miss too many days and are not held accountable.

My children have been attending Walnut Grove for two years now and we are very pleased with the school's overall performance. My children enjoy going to school every day and the teachers are always very professional and are fully vested in ensuring all students succeed. We were excited about the new principal who came onboard this year and we see even greater things to come...
—Submitted by a parent

Perhaps GCPS is finally beginning to put pressure on the administration and faculty in regards to bullying the students, lack of professionalism, and teacher attendance. I could not be more pleased with the short-notice and retirement of the principal. I have to agree with the other posting regarding the excessive teacher absences. The teacher in question has missed at least one - two days each month since school began this year. To make matters worse- it appears as if she will continue to miss more now that she actually IS going to have a baby. Hopefully she will stay home with it, so the up-coming students will get a chance at learning with a classroom teacher that actually shows up for school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Two years ago, a certain teacher in the lower primary grades missed over 40 days of school in the first semester, (not a maternity leave). During the second semester of the same year she missed another 15 days. Last year, this same teacher missed another 20 plus days, (once again- not a maternity leave). The students are held accountable for their attendance but apparently this teacher is accountable to no one. This same teacher is once again "responsible" for teaching beginning reading and math skills... that is if she actually values her job enough to have regular attendance this school year. Parents of children in this teacher's class should be prepared to teach their children at home - otherwise the children will be taught by substitutes using worksheets. Calls to the administration went unanswered. WG has the most unprofessional staff/admin. in the county.

The principal and a certain primary teacher must be confused as to what degree they earned in college. The last time I checked, teachers earned a degree in education, not medicine. However, the prinicpal and a certain primary grade teacher feel that they have "earned" a medical degree since they have both penned letters giving "their" medical opinion and advice. This is not only unethical, but unprofessional. I hope the attorneys have a field day with the two of them in court!

I have two children at Walnut Grove and they absolutely love school. This school is amazing. The teachers are effective and learning is taking place in the classroom. Both of my kids amaze me with their reading skills. You can feel lots of love from everyone involved in this school from the classrooms to the hallways. This is not found in every school but the smiles and the atmosphere make it a great place to watch your kids grow up. Awesome!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The 2008-2009 school year was my daughter's first at this school. I was incredibly impressed with her teachers as well as the office staff. I volunteered and witnessed the kindest staff as well as multiple projects posted on the walls of the school, impressive. The students and teachers work hard, and it shows. Love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school, why,there is all kind of help for your child if he/she needs help. They have a great chorus and art classes. They also teach sign language, it is great! They have the PTA which requires parents to be there a lot, the teachers also make a specific date at the end of every 9 weeks to talk about your child's academic grades and how he/she is doing in school. An Awesome Partnership!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Academic wise, this school is great, there is all kind of help for your child if he/she needs help. They have a great chorus and art classes. They also teach sign language, it is great! They have the PTA which requires parents to be there a lot, the teachers also make a specific date at the end of every 9 weeks to talk about your child's academic grades and how he/she is doing in school.
—Submitted by a former student