Elmwood Elementary School

The school is good so long as your child fits into their confined definition of 'acceptable'. They are quick to put children in 'special needs' to isolate them so that those children won't affect their ' great ratings'. Otherwise, just like other schools they have great teachers who are very involved and challenge the kids to be greater and they have those who are just coasting by and could care less to be there. K and 1st grade teachers are much better than the upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent

You will not find a more kid friendly school in District 203. The admin. in outstanding and always puts students first. The teachers are outstanding and challange each student. Parents are involved and are always welcome to assist in any fashion.
—Submitted by a parent

Too many temp/sub teachers and they are used too often.
—Submitted by a parent

My special needs child was enrolled in the early childhood program. Not only was I insulted by the director but the staff was unwilling to work with constructive ideas from parents well educated about special needs. They hardly focused on the IEP and completely ignored the general ISBE curriculum as well. They keep low standards at early childhood level. It is a crying shame. They were concerned about keeping the 'appearance' of a high standard however, failed miserbly. I was insulted time and time again.....
—Submitted by a parent

Elmwood is a good school. The teachers in the lower grades are motivated and encouraging to the younger students. My son enjoys going to school and has been able to take advantage of the special reading program for students having difficulty learning to read. The school (and the district for that matter) do not have a scientifically researched reading program and that might account for the low 80 percentile score in the ISAT reading test. There is very little homework and low pressure on the students. There is a high ratio student to teacher and aides available only to the special pull out programs.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Elmwood from kindergarten through second grade. We were very pleased with the school and were sad to leave it due to a move. The parent participation is amazing as were the teachers we encountered. My daughter absolutely loved going to school every day and I attribute that attitude to the teachers. I was very impressed with the curriculum. The class size is large, but that's not isolated to Naperville as most public schools in larger communities have large class sizes. I would move back to Naperville in a heartbeat, and especially back to Elmwood!
—Submitted by a parent

Elmwood is a fine school. My second grader is finishing his first year there, and I attribute his very positive experience to his teacher, Ms. Laura Schmitt, a first year teacher! I believe that her energy and unconditional positive regard for children is unique. Any negatives I might attribute to the Naperville system are related to population size. There is a high student to teacher ratio (though my son had a wonderful aide, Mrs. Kohler, in his class due to the number -- 28 -- I hear that aides won't be available to my son's class next year in third grade), and a limit on the number of kids invited to perform in the school talent show (auditions were held, and some didn't make the cut). Absurd. This just inhibits kids' creativity and courage. The high schools are so large (over 2,000)-- competition and 'getting lost' are reportedly common experiences.
—Submitted by a parent