Camden-Rockport Elementary School

Rockport Elementary School (RES) has been in the midst of change for the past year or so while an expansion is completed (Fall '09) to the RES West campus to bring K-4 back under one roof. That said, I've had two children attend RES North and East campuses in K, 1 & 2nd grades. We couldn't be happier with their teachers, peers, and the overall experience at RES. The classroom size is age-appropriate, approximately 13-17 students per class. Art, Music and Spanish classes each occur several times per week each with wonderful teachers. PE is run in the gym due to space constraints, however, Mr. Spinney does an excellent job motivating the students and has won national awards for school involvement in Jumprope for Heart. Academically, my children have excelled and received appropriate attention in the Gifted and Talented areas. RES is a friendly school with excellent teachers, administrators and children.
--Submitted by a parent

Team teaching has created an unimaginative and uninteresting approach to learning. The curriculum never changes even the worksheets are the same. Computers are not integrated into the classroom and time and content are extremely limited. Gym is never outside and lunchtime is extremely controlled. Silent lunches and specific tables or 'dots' to sit on are the norm. Teachers are not on the playground at lunch time. The administration is extremely concerned about test results and teach to the test. The school is trying hard to be the special ed center for this area of the state. Unfortunately the average child is being left out. Gifted and Talented is limited to a few hours a week in the later grades and inclusion has become a badge for overachieving parents. Extracurricular activities are minimal and afterschool sports are provided by individual groups not the school.
--Submitted by a parent