Neil Armstrong Elementary School

I have been a student at Armstrong since Kindergarten and I am finishing up fifth grade. I couldn't be happier to leave. The food there was only warm one day a week, even when my class was served first. They just started giving us warm food everyday a few months ago. Ants made their way into classrooms and made nests. That was the nastiest thing that had ever seen. The school playground has old, run down equipment from the late 90's and it attracts bees and yellow jackets. (The equipment is bright yellow) There is a pond and a few houses near the playground, and one time a loose dog ran up to someone. There aren't special extracurricular activities, except for band which is for fifth grade only and basketball teams. The only inconvenience about band is that they teach it in the morning, and last year it was held in the room closest to my classroom. That was really inconvenient. The staff is generally ok with a few teachers that get on people's nerves. There aren't many fights, but when one happened a teacher looked straight at the fighting kids and looked away. This school is small and cramped. Not enough room for everyone. No programs for smarter kids. Really bad school.

i have a grandson that is going to second grade. ms.just , and ms phillips are two of the greatest teacheers .they both have done an excellent job. ms just kdg. and ms.phillips first grade. great job''.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Neil Armstrong and I am pleased with their delevelopment and I think it is a great school. It is a good environment and I feel the teachers work hard to educate the children. I have also saw the hard work the current PTO committee has been doing and it nothing but great things for the children of Armstrong. I look forward to getting a first hand look at the great things in store at Armstrong in the 2009-2010 school year
--Submitted by a parent

My husband and I have seven children six which attended armstrong. Range from the age 20yrs-4 months.Our view on the school is that the staff is very outstanding. Three of the kids had Mrs, Kuhn for kindergarten, which is the best kindergarten teacher a person could ever find. But not taking anything from the other teachers which are aslo great. Yes there has been some change in the extracurricular activities,but to all that is degrading the school and staff, my question is did you all do everything in your power to help the school and staff save any of the extracurricular activities that was dropped? By voting and lending a helping hand overall? Keep up the good work Neil Armstrong!!!!!LOL
--Submitted by a parent

Neil Armstrong is truly one of the worst schools in District 159. It is destroying our youth. It is disorderly and the most poorly run school I have ever seen. The children are terribly disrepectful and are clearly out of control, even to someone outside looking in. I have to admit that I am not happy with a once outstanding school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Armstrong. Unfortunately, many programs have been cut or decreased (i.e., art is only offered during the 4th quarter) because a referendum requesting additional property tax money didn't pass. This has affected all the schools in district 159. Last year we lost our phenomenal principal to the newly-built Middle School and the current principal isn't as strong as she was. There is little parent involvement, the PTO has to struggle financially and volunteer-wise to provide fun activities for the students. Many activities like the school fair had to be dropped and parents either can't or won't pay their PTO dues. The children seem to be more disrespectful and have no problem cursing in front of other parents. There are some wonderful teachers at Armstrong but they don't have the necessary parental support or materials to do what's needed for the students. Very little homework is given.
--Submitted by a parent

Initially, I was impressed with the school. However, until my family moved into a different district/school, I realized how unprepared we and my son were for first grade. The other district is far more advanced than Neil Armstrong/District 159. My son is now playing catch up by getting additional help (tutor, reading programs, etc.)
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of academic programs compared to 10 years ago is terrible. The scores are barely meeting state standards and the availability of Music and Art will be minimal due to the recent referendum not passing. There is barely any parent involvement at this school and the administration is very unprofessional. The curriculum is very lax and I feel that the children are not getting the best and equal education that they deserve.
--Submitted by a parent

The test scores are not acceptable and have declined for the past three years. There have been numerous changes within the Music Dept., the school promotes safety, however picks and chooses what to address. My child is in Kindergarten and has not retained what he learned through his pre-school experience because he was placed in a KG class that was beginning at a primary level..there was no screening process to ascertain what level he was at or any child for that matter. I am extremely disappointed in the quality of education my child has received.
--Submitted by a former student

This is not a very good school academically or parentally. They treat the parents with as much disrespect as the kids and they don't listen or guide the parents or students toward success. They allow bullying and do not adhere to the no tolerance rules. Their comments are 'if I don't see it there is nothing that can be done. My 10 year old has been beat up and harrassed daily since the beginning of the year. His grades are slipping and his self-esteem is down the toilet. The academics are moderate at best. If you want your child to have a safe environment to learn do not send them here if possible. My kindergartener is even being harrassed daily. And they give detentions for every little transgression possible. Parental involvement is not encouraged by the new principle. They don't listen to the students or the parents.
--Submitted by a parent