Whiteside Elementary School

We have tried to give leadership the benefit of the doubt at this school, but have not been impressed. The teachers our child has had have been excellent and academics have never been an issue. It seems, however, that leadership lacks a level of professional maturity. Zero tolerance policies should not serve as an excuse not to have to apply critical thinking and/or common sense to each individual situation.
--Submitted by a parent

All three of my children went there. My daughters had a near great experience, but my son had some issues, I was not happy with his 1st grade teacher. I thought that my children got an excellent education, and that is important. I was not at all happy with the leadership, and hope that this has been changed. In fairness, it has been several years since my children have gone there. We moved in 2007 with the military.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to this school for K and she hated it not only did she get punished for not being able to do the work she didn't get any help from the teachers to help her complete the work. We moved just to get her out of this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I've lived in the area for 4 years with 2 children attending this school. Initially I was quite put off by the class size, coming from ~17 to 23+ at Whiteside. I've found they do an exceptional job managing those numbers. Academics is stressed with many special need services provided. The PTC is absolutely incredible and lends a great community feel to the school. A diverse student body, racially and economically, was an added plus for me.
--Submitted by a parent

it is the best school and is a lot better that wolf branch! (Great staff)
--Submitted by a parent

The school itself is a great school for learning but some of the teachers there are really not so nice and they are very sacrcastic and they need to take classes on how to interact with the parents
--Submitted by a parent

My 6 year old daughters experience at Whiteside has been wonderful. My daughter has mild social anxiety and the social worker, Mrs. Laritz, worked with my daughter at the beginning of the year to ease the transition. After a month of school the military sent us to Turkey for 6 months where I homeschooled. During our absence, my daughter's teacher Mrs. Krause kept a wonderful connection between her class and my daughter. We came back from Turkey in March and my daughter has had such an easy transition back into her class due to the care and professionalism of Mrs. Krause and Mrs. Laritz. This is a great school, and they are very understading of the needs of military families!
--Submitted by a parent

I had two Children in this school, and for the most part, I thought that it was good! The teachers are excellent, and were very good about keeping me informed. Academically, this school hits it mark! My children learned a great deal and are doing well in their new school. I was not really fond of the leadership in the school, and at one point had to question their honesty! I do not like how it almost seems as though parental involvement in the classroom is discouraged. I am a military mom and am used to volunteering a great deal in my kids classrooms. I loved the 4th and 5th grade teachers that my daughter had. Aside from a few incidents this school is pretty good. I would send my children to this school again, ONLY because I know that they will get a good education there.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! Only school around in metro east with special need programs-all other schools in area bus their kids there as needed. My son has friends whose parents are teachers at both O'Fallon and Wolfbranch schools and choose to send there childen to Whiteside because it is such a Great school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my son's 4th year at Whiteside, he's in 3rd grade, and I'm impressed! The academic curriculum is outstanding and the teachers care. I would definitely recommend Whiteside Elementary.
--Submitted by a parent