Sutherland Elementary School

Excellent special ed staff. Would love to volunteer more. Every year for the past 3 yrs. I have filled out the volunteer form, only to be called once. I was a new parent and for the activity I helped out with, only one parent would talk to me. Love the school but Beverly parents can be very cliquey and judgmental. I should know I grew up here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am suprised by the review on 5/13. I have two children at Sutherland and spend a fair amount of time volunteering there. It is my opinion that the majority of the students are respectful of each other, teachers and other parents. Now not all students or teachers are perfect, but the majority of the faculty and staff work to make the students acheive their fullest potential. Two weeks ago the entire community was invited to Sutherland, to view the Wax Museum. This production was put on by all the students but especially, the 7th and 8th grade students, teachers and parents to showcase the French Program. It was wonderful to see all the hard work that went into it and how proud the students were. My biggest frustration at Sutherland is the fact that for 7 years, I have seen the same parents step up and volunteer over and over again. We need more parents to work with the school, PTA and LSC. When your child sees you at school, talking with teachers and other parents, they definately think twice about how they behave both inside and outside the classroom. They realize that you are paying attention and may not seek it out through negative behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

The review posted yesterday is so far from our experience at Sutherland that I though it must be posted about a different school. Out of control students running wild--who are they? Have you taken action? Brought it to the LSC? Talked to the principal personally? Or to the parents of the children involved? Sutherland may not be perfect, but it is a very strong school academically with amazingly dedicated teachers. I hope you can address these issues as they seem far from the experience of almost all the families I know at Sutherland, and we have been there six years.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is simply out of control. A small number of students are allowed to run wild in this school without discipline, ruining the education of the entire student body. Bullying, disrespect to other students and teachers, and rampant overcrowding have left this school a pale shadow of what it once was. The teachers seem dispirited and demoralized, the principal powerless and ineffective. I don't know how to solve these problems but Sutherland has a lot of them that aren't being addressed at all.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. My family moved from one Beverly home that was just outside the Sutherland boundaries into the Sutherland boundaries so thatt our children could attend Sutherland. We are very pleased with our decision.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children that go go this school, The only problem I have is the 35 kids per class ! I just wish that they would just let the children who live near to the school , just go to the school! I would guess 30% dont live 5 miles from school!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This fabulous school was the foundation of my excellent education. My closest friends are those that I met while attending kindergarten at Sutherland. It stressed strong community values while creating an environment that was perfect for learning. I have nothing but fond memories of Suds.
—Submitted by a parent

Committed teachers, dedicated parents--a great example of a successful neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the community that the school provides for my children & our family. The teachers are well versed in their teaching skills. There are many opportunitites to be involved in our school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sutherland has never been more on track. The school has continued to improve in all areas. The community is lucky to have such dedicated leadership and staff members.
—Submitted by a parent

Sutherland is an outstanding school, but new leadership has started to take a toll on teachers, parents, and students. Academic excellence can be sought, but not without fostering a sense of community. Instead of developing a professional learning atmosphere, teachers have separated into cliques, competing against each other. The students are wonderful, and have great support from their parents most of the time. With a more nurturing and encouraging administration, Sutherland will be back on track.
—Submitted by a teacher

I just read the previous post. The overcrowding issue has not been happening slowly. It's been a problem for years but actually the enrollment is the lowest it's been in a very long time. The problem is that parents sneak their children in because of the diversity, test scores, and the cirriculum. Our new principal does a good job of investigating families and kicking them out. It's a wonderful place to send your children. It's too bad that more of our community doesn't take advantage of it.
—Submitted by a parent

Sutherland is a great school but slowly the classes are being overpacked and when you ask the school about the overcrowding they say its nothing they can do!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Sutherland has changed. It is very overcrowded. The boys and girls have no repect for one another. Bullying has become a huge issue at the school. There are students who do not fear any consequences because the classes have become too large to control. I wish I could place my children in another school. Sutherland has become just a regular school.

Sutherland is a good school, but terribly overcrowded..They must do something about it or else the academics will suffer. There are some good teachers and some really rotten eggs, too. It is a diverse school in a lovely diverse community..
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of Sutherland and am disappointed with the school atmosphere. Classes are overcrowded with students who live outside the district, bullying is evident and teachers spend more time discipling students then they do teaching. Students/parents seem more concerned with sports than academics. Sutherland is going downhill quickly. Pick another school.
—Submitted by a former student

Sutherland is a victim of its own success. It has had a reputation of being an excellent school and so people have flocked to it and I'm afraid the quality has suffered. I'm very happy that my children are learning a second language but I wish the french department was more dynamic. It should stimulate interest in another country and culture, instead it turns students off because it's dull. Most of the upper grade teachers are excellent; they run a tight ship, keeping the teens in line. Overcrowding is a serious problem that must be dealt with or else families that are interested in the childrens' education will leave. Some have already moved out of the neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very overcrowded and the office staff is hit or miss. I have visited and at times found them to be helpful and friendly and other times felt like I was entering a prison under lockdown. I had 3 children attend and each of them consistently had over 30 kids per class so overcrowding a very real issue.
—Submitted by a parent

SIMPLY THE BEST!!! I graduated from Sutherland in 2004 and I can honestly say that I wouldn't be the person I am today without the experience! The parent-involvement is superb, the activities/clubs/sports commendable and the student body appropriately diverse. I know the overcrowding is starting to become a problem, but that just goes to show how good Sutherland is on a locally comparative level- parents want their kids to be there. The one thing I can truly vouch for is the AMAZING teachers. Never once, in my 9 long years there, did I have a mediocre teacher. They are all so wonderful and love what they do. So many of them have been mentors, guides, friends, parents to me, and I am forever grateful. Sutherland prepared me for high school as no other school could!
—Submitted by a former student

The level of parent involvement is extremely high. The curruculum is challenging and the programs encourage love for learning.
—Submitted by a parent