Ridge Elementary School

All three of my children have gone here to school. We have had a great experience. The teachers really care about the children and the administration seems to be doing an excellent job.
—Submitted by a parent

All of my kids have gone to Ridge. Overall, I am very happy with the school. I do wish the parents would get more involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I was skeptical about Ridge when my kids first went there. I don't think the changeover went as smoothly as it could have with the kids redistricted to Ridge from Wesmere. However, with two schools plus the District involved, you can't be sure where the problem was. Ridge has turned out to be great. We love the teachers and have no compliants about the administration. The new district-wide curriculum for differentied is fantastic! One of my kids is 504 (physical disability not requiring an Individual Education Plan/IEP) and from the teachers on down they have been wonderful about things.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not very impressed with the school's aministration. 2 of my girls went to this schools, one of them had academic problems, and they labeled her as potentially having ADD and other developmental problems. After trying to work through the system, meeting after meeting, my daughter moved on to middle school and nothing was ever fixed. They wanted me to place my daughter in special education, however every time I asked them to provide feedback about her progress they never did. I had to call the school, send emails. When we would meet with all of her teachers, they all seem to have conflicting reports. Last year one of my daughters brought home a math assigment with a great big star, and at first I thought it was great, but as I further looked at the assignment I noticed that it was not only very sloppy the answers ....
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Ridge since Fall 2004 and I could not be happier. The Principal and teachers go above and beyond to make sure that every student is learning and every day is safe. The whole school started using a team building cooperative learning system that has been proven to increase learning and decrease behavior problems. The Principal is involved and actively trying to improve the school in every way possible. We had some issues in second grade, but I felt my issues were acknowledged and my younger daughter will not have to repeat the lack of learning my older daughter had in that year. Unfortunately not enough parents are involved in PTO. Another small negative is that I wish they would push the kids more in the younger grades.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Ridge for 2 years. As with any school there are good things and bad at Ridge. They have a great 'advanced' teacher in Mrs. Reader, and a great library staff. There are definitly things that need to be inproved, like the vice principal sometimes acts a bit too goofy, personally I think that she should be a forward thinking positive roll model, not a clown, playing one on dress up days. The school spirit is lacking in this school vs. other schools in the area, but maybe they just don't know that being seen that way. Again just my opinion.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to this school since K. He is now in the 3rd grade. I have nothing but great things to say about the staff, teachers, principal, nurses, etc. I guess we are just lucky, based on all of the negative reviews. Or maybe we just don't make excuses for our son's behaviour.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe they really need to get new administration. They are not friendly when you walk in at all. They act like you are bothering them when you ask for something. Very unorganized but that is because of the administration. They need to get it together. They also pick a kid that may be a bit naughty then they are 'branded' a 'bad kid' all through their whole elementary school years. Horrible school.
—Submitted by a parent

I been a Ridge parent since it open, I think Ridge has grow greatly in all areas academic, parent support, students support and better teachers. It is a great school with wonderful teachers who cares for their students, I'm very please with the teachers that my kids had so far. We still need more parents envolment in that way we could have more after school student activities. The principal and asst. principal need to be more flexible when implementing new ideas or concept throught the school, no every family have the resources or agree with your life stile and changes take time and communication. probably even a survey to have parent opinions, things work better if we have the support of the parents. Rigde is a Great School...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has gone to Ridge for Kind. and 1sr grade. I loved her teachers (Mrs. Guzaldo and Mrs. Schneider) They are both wonderful role models and have been such great influences. They have a strong reading program which is so important. I have been able to volunteer a lot in the school which has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of the staff. Mrs. Nelson the principal is wonderful. She is very active in the school and is always involved with the students. The school is always having events for the families so everyone can get involved.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been lucky enough to have decent teachers but I've had to supplement his education with lots of at home teaching. They spend so much time worry[ing] about the students who come to school 10 minutes too early.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had good luck with Ridge teachers. As far as the administration goes, they need to find a new principal and vice principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are wonderful at Ridge. The ones that are great are truly caring of the student in all areas. The drawbacks are there is no actual disciplinary system in place in administration. It is very scattered. The programs however; music, art, PE are fine but still being so large of class size, many things fall through the cracks. The parent involvement is very lacking. There needs to be more. The reading programs are wonderful and very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is not getting the help she needs. Kids are out of control, teachers cannot teach their classes. Not satisfied at all but no one will listen! I am frightened at our children's futures.
—Submitted by a parent

So far, I am very pleased w/ Ridge. I was a little skeptical in regards to the Plainfield school system w/ the continued growth of Plainfield but My oldest daughter's Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Guzaldo was Great! On occasion, I have corresponded w/ school management and found them insightful and always willing to help. I feel great knowing I'll have two children in Ridge next year w/ two more following. Thanks Ridge!
—Submitted by donna, a parent

I felt my son's first Grade instruction was great. I liked the amount of communication that was available to me. The conferences were very informative and my questions and concerns were always addressed. Both music and art were part of the curriculum, I just wish physical education was every day, not just twice a week.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I am very pleased with Ridge Elementary. My daughter has benefited great from the wrap around program, where she was able to have the same teacher from 1st grade.
—Submitted by Shondelle, a parent

Ridge elementary is fantastic for students with 'normal' and 'gifted' abilities. Programs like Everday Mathmatics and Literacy Circles benefit all the children. Like all schools in Plainfield it is terrible for students with special needs.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had great teachers here at Ridge.
—Submitted by a parent

Ridge has been the worst school ever! Nobody looks out for the children. The school doesn't seem to have a very good security system and there Math/Reading programs are terrible. Take my advice and move.
—Submitted by Linda, a parent