Oak Glen Elementary School

I find it quite ironic that one parent decided to note the schools failing AYP after the letter was given out at registration. Do you even know what an AYP is? Clearly you aren't an involed parent or citizen of lansing. There have been meetings addressing this issue and what it means for the students and parents. My child will be in fourth grade this year and scores above the national average in every test area, and is also a straight A student. No school is absolutely perfect, as a parent you get what you put out. Teaching begins at home, so when there are parents who jump on the latest gossip bandwagon rather than working with their below par children it reflects poorly on the entire district. Make your own informed decisions. I've read every review and question the education levels of some of the parents and objectivity.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the 3rd year this school has failed to make AYP. Unfortunately, there are some really great educators at this school. I"m please to say my child has had a few of them.
--Submitted by a parent

While there are teachers who are at this school to simply collect a paycheck, I will say that in my experience there are many who care and do their job very well. The principal doesn't enforce the same rules for the entire student body. This district has the potential to be a great one, thanks to a caring Superintendent. But there needs to be more attention made to the administration in the school itself. As for test scores being low, this school is on the brink of a state takeover, and should have a right to choose, but all the schools but the JR. high are failing. Sad, but true. As for parent involvment, there is a great deal with a good PTA, but it is usually the same people all the time. Many are reluctant to join because of it.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Oak Glen Elementary School I have three children this school. The teachers are fabulos! I see a lot of negative comments on the principle, she does her job very well. Her job is not to be the childrens friend but to be a figure of authority. The PTA at this school is amazing. Never have I saw such dedication in all of the schools I have enrolled my children in. We move alot because of my husbands job, and I can only hope that when my son goes to the Jr High next year the PTA will be just as great. Oak Glen Rocks! The comment about the bullying I don't buy that at all they are very strict on their behavior policies and if it was reported those individuals would have been in big trouble. As far as low test scores if you would attend one of the very infomative board meetings you will understand why the scores dropped this year. We will be back on top again soon. Especially with the new construction starting in March! Oak Glen is an amazing place for children to learn.
--Submitted by a parent

We ended up going with the area's private schools. We're far better off not dealing with the bullying, harassing, and low test scores.

My daughter has been going to Oak Glen for 3 years and I must say that this is one of the better elementary schools in Lansing, IL. They teachers make sure that you are informed of your child's progress and have access to information via email or phone calls. I love how active the parents are with the classroom festivities throughout the year.
--Submitted by a parent

Principal is defensive and not very approachable. The tone is more discipline focused than education focused and she tends to push for doing things because they are her rules and she's going to enforce them. No seeing kids as individuals, just a flock that needs to tow the line the way she wants them to. Very little sensitivity to parents or children.
--Submitted by a parent

The punishment of 'all' because of the misbehavior of a 'few' is consistent; Lunchroom is chaotic, not relaxing; Monitors' behavior is frequently inappropriate; There are a few outstanding teachers--you clearly know when you're lucky enough to get one! Parental involvement dwindled drastically from when we came here 6 years ago; Diversity needs to be addressed.
--Submitted by a parent

I am shocked at the test scores of the school. I didn't realize they are below state average in all areas. There are some great teachers, but administration lacks in areas of discipline, leadership, approachablility, problem solving, student behavior management.
--Submitted by a parent

Threre are really a lot of changes that need to be made at Oak Glen. Aside from all the discipline and behavior issues other parents have commented on, it is a poor learning environment. There are several excellent, motivated teachers, but the principal is lacking in interpersonal skills. She treats parents poorly and is often very defensive. Some staff are very aggresive with kids and the principal is accepting of this. There has to be a better method of dealing with children than breeding this hositility they are learning from the adult role models they are around every day. I'm sure it's not easy running a school, but they could do much better and school administrators it's time to force some of the less crowded schools to take on some of the excess students. Oak Glen is way overcrowded.
--Submitted by a parent