Locust Grove Elementary School

This school has multi-grade classes that DO NOT benefit the children. And I agree that the curriculum is inconsistant. I have friends who's kids are struggling to keep up because the teacher is teaching a grade ahead, and then there are other kids who have teachers who aren't teaching them anything, and the hmk is from 2 grades below! The teachers don't hardly EVER communicate, and you feel frustrated and left out of your child's education. The parent teacher meetings always revolve around the IOWA testing, NOTHING else.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended kindergarten during the 2009/2010 school year at Locust Grove. He loved the school and he learned so much-I was amazed at how much he learned in just kindergarten! The curriculum, multiage classrooms, and available resources are great! The staff have always been very friendly and helpful. He is onto 1st grade this year and I am so happy that he is attending such a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

Locust Grove is indicative of the Oldham County School District. I have had great experiences with the principal and several of the teachers at Locust Grove. Thankfully, they do not try to please all of the people all of the time or mediocrity would be the rule rather than the exception. High standards and expectations result in higher achievement and exemplary behavior.
--Submitted by a parent

As a long term Oldham County restident involved with the Locust Grove Elementary administration, I attest to the high stanadards set by the leadership of the school with dedication to the success of the students via a challenging curriculum from K-5, student-centered activities to broaden their horizons and an involved/caring before and after school care program. With a mission to provide a safe and positive learning environment whcih encourages the student to strive to reach their greatest potential, the school excels and I strongly support their efforts.

As typical of human nature, criticisim and concerns are never happily received or welcomed. When a parent takes the strength to stand up and be vocal for the best interest of all children with the knowledge that it will make waves, you can guarantee there are a many more parents flying under the radar. This makes those happy with bland conformity nervous. Parents who are satisfied and say nothing to the contrary are always welcomed and lavishing praise is simple. Yet it is difficult to find the courage to be proactive as a concerned parent who repeatedly addresses policy issues at the appropriate avenues. Being met with much resistance to dialogue is dissapointing. Instead concerns are labeled as 'complainers and sour grapes'. Is it really unacceptable to have concerns about our children's eductation and respectfully addressing them in the proper avenues?
--Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with the class structuring at Locust Grove. My son was a kindergardner in K/1 last year & the negative impact it had on him has been alarming. The multiage classroom is extremely detrimental to certain children, which far outweighs any benefits that may exist. My son is now a 1st grader in the same K/1 class and it has taken all of this year to build his self-esteem and confidence back up. He is still not up to par as to where he should be and I am not AT ALL comfortable with him moving to a 2/3 class next year. If it were straight 2nd grade I would not be so worried, but I fear his confidence and self-esteem will once again be negatively affected in the multiage . I have felt very intimidated by the current administration.& afraid to speak up regarding this issue.
--Submitted by a parent

As a very involved parent with two children at Locust Grove, I find the teaching staff fantastic and administration to be of the utmost quality. There has never been a time where I have been concerned about anything that either the teachers, office staff, principal or counselor has not been more than willing or cooperative. Having been at other schools in Oldham County Locust Grove is, by far, the best. Keep up the good work. I would highly recommend the school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of two children at Locust Grove I am very satisfied with the teaching staff as well as the principal. I have the utmost respect for the principal at Locust Grove she has always addressed any concern that I have had with my children and handled them in a professional way. My children and I love Locust Grove and I would not have my children any where else.I feel if someone is not satisfied with the education their children are receiving at Locust Grove then I would have to question what would satisfy them? I would highly recommend Locust Grove to anyone moving to this district. As far as test scores my child scores were over and above average ....that speaks for itself.
--Submitted by a parent

Locust Grove Elementary has been an excellent school for my children, as are all of Oldham County schools. An observant parent would know that the policy/curriculum decisions are made for the good of the majority and are based on historical data and research. As typical of human nature, only the unhappy minority is heard from. It is amusing how the 'experts' critiquing the performance of others usually have little or no experience in that field, or don't even have a job. A teacher with 20 years of students is more likely to know what works than someone visiting a few hours a week. Any accusation of improper action or performance by this school or administration is a lie and nothing more than sour grapes from someone that was unable to implement their own personal agenda.
--Submitted by a parent

Locust Grove is a top notch school. I have been impressed with the warm family feel from both the faculty and staff over the past year and a half. My family attended another Oldham County school previously before attending Locust Grove and I've never been so pleased to leave one building and join another. My previous school was unfriendly and did not offer educational accommodations to help my child's medical needs. The same goes for my other child's academic delays. My experience at Locust Grove has been quite different. Both my children are treated in the same manner as the rest of the students, eventhough they have special needs that require extra hours of attention from their teachers. The principal and counselor have been readily available to meet with me and my husband numerous times for ARC meetings and I feel they have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
--Submitted by a parent