Kolling Elementary School

Overall I think the school is mediocre, at best. Because of the extreme growing pains and budget cuts, the overall quality is lacking. Many of the specials that other schools have are not offered here; children take one field trip during the year; there are no "pull out" programs available for high ability students (rather they are purportedly given additional material at school). The website is woefully outdated, compared to today's standards and the office staff is not the friendliest, to say the least. The decision to take away parent-teacher conferences, without placing another format in place, is extremely short sighted. Although my daughter is doing well, unfortunately I am not impressed with the overall specials programs, activities or the student involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had no problems with the staff of Kolling, I do like the parent participation and think that this is one of the major reasons that Kolling standards are so high. When the parents are involved in the learning experience all persons benifit greatly!
--Submitted by a parent

The area is growing, but Kolling has maintained a very high standard of excellence. Our two older children attended the parochial school in town, and our youngest has attended Kolling from K-3 so far. We find the teachers at Kolling are uniformly excellent, and that more is available to a high-potential student in the Lake Central system than in the Catholic school. If your child is either gifted/talented or needs additional help, Kolling is by far the best choice in town. Our daughter likes the fact that she is able to get to know all of the kids in her grade level rather than being with the same group every year, too!
--Submitted by a parent

I rhink that any school that has doubled in size will have growing pains - but - I think that they are still doing their best in regard to students. Excellent School!
--Submitted by a parent

We built a new home in a subdivision that goes to Kolling. I was impressed by their I Step scores. However, the more I see, the more I do not like. There is no help for High Ability students. The school seems to be overburdened by their growth and quality is suffering. The apathy is not good. Instead of being proactive and seeking to grow in quality, the school seems totally obsessed with I Step scores, NOT concern for the students.
--Submitted by a parent

Kolling is a good school overall, but too large. Class sizes are moderate, but there are numerous classrooms for each grade. Our community is growing by leaps and bounds and the school is suffering. A new middle school is being built to try to alleviate the numbers, but it stands that each year my children have to make new friends in their new classrooms because the children are shuffled around so much.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall all the elementary schools are good but education is geared mostly to the average to below average student. If you have a academically gifted child beware, the school doesn't have any program for them until 4th and/or 5th grade and it's a big 'if' your child is accepted to the program (approx 20 from the whole district are taken). If accepted, you child has to leave their current school and friends. The merit program there is good but these students are for the most part isolated from the rest of the students. In middle school, these students are put in advanced classes for math and english but no other subjects. The classes for the gifted student improves at the high school level.
--Submitted by a parent

The reason we moved to Indiana was because of the school quality/learning, especially at Kolling. Even before we started our family, Kolling was a four star school, as well as Kahler and Grimmer ( middle schools ). The pricipal and teachers are awesome and I do not regret my decision, but encourage others to research the school district before moving to your location.
--Submitted by a parent