Karen Acres Elementary School

Test scores do not tell the whole story at schools like Karen Acres. As a parent of 4 kids, who has experienced children at 3 different Urbandale Elementary Schools, I can honestly say this school has the best 5th grade teacher in the district and the 3rd and 4th grade teachers are awesome as well. This is a diverse school, particularly socio-economically with many English Language Learners. Consequently, scores aren't always great, however the teachers here do more to bring the kids they do have as far as they can with limited resources. The only negative here is that the PTO is run by a somewhat "cliquey" group of parents---very tough for "outsiders" to break into but this isn't the fault of the school and part of it is by default as there are a limited number of parents with the resources to be very involved in the PTO due to poverty, work, etc. Great school. My last child is done with elementary this year and I will be sad to leave this environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Karen Acres staff - from Custodians to Support staff to Secretary to Teachers to Principal - all have one thing in common: Students are Priority! This is a wonderful, small-town feeling school in the Urbandale, IA area. We have had terrific experience with all teachers and grades! The parent involvement has been incredible. There is nothing KA staff wouldn't do! Go Cougars! Shame on the person who wrote the negative review...there couldn't be a better environment to have our children educated!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is disappointing to say the least. A new principle and administrative staff took over the school in the Fall of 2005. The only thing this administration can boast is complete ineptitude and rudeness.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent elementary school for any parent wanting your child to obtain a top notch education from caring and professional staff. The parent involvement is highly encouraged. The children not only are obtaining a great education, but also developing character. Also, they provide excellent one on one guidance for any child behind in any subject.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. Great Teachers, exceptional parent involvement, and caring staff. The students not only get a great education, but have a lot of fun. The staff provides each student the special attention he/she may need in any subjects they may need improvement in. I would highly recommend Karen Acres for any parent looking for a quality elementary.
--Submitted by Cassy Potthoff, a parent