Beach Elementary School

I would have to definitely agree with the previos review, the PE and recess time are definitely being deprived to our children. This is so sad since obesity is becominga widespread epidemic in the US and now our schools are enforcing that behavior. These are the years children need extra excercise, especially the best excercise of all....running..... to keep their minds sharp and focused and to burn off excess energy and here they are limited to 2 PE periods a week and one very short recess a day. I feel the teaching staff is doing amazing especially with very minimal break times and trying to get very young children to focus for a full 7 hrs. The lack of natural sunlight in the classroom is very depressing on top of the lack of outdoor activity. Parent involvement is very low from the schools we came from which is very sad for the teaching and support staff.
--Submitted by a parent

The PE and recess times leave ALOT to be desired here. Is it school leadership or county policy that deprives the kids here the pysical activity they need? A healthy recess helps the kids settle for afternoon classes and with many classrooms not having any windows, a walk on the tennis courts for recess seems silly. Some 5th grade teachers need a lot of help. There is too much pressure on everyone in preparing for middle school and many of the kids are soured because of it. Academically it is a good school but the PE and recess periods have been discouraging.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children have been at this school for two years and we have been extremely happy with their education and the sense of community they feel. As kindergartners they were welcomed and into a warm environment where they could adjust to being away from home all day and get a feel for this whole "school" thing that will be their life for the next 13 years. They continued to grow in first grade and their reading comprehension and math skills really took flight. They are only allowed to choose Accelerated Reader books from the library and have time during each school day where they DEAR, Drop Everything And Read. The teacher has provided many math manipulatives for the students to practice their facts. The other reviews have commented on the principle and it is all true. He is fantastic. He is very involved with all of the students and welcomes them at the door by name. Before the upper grades are dismissed from the cafeteria to go outside for recess he chooses a student from each table (class) to stand up and the group must correctly solve a math problem. He is also very involved in Chess and encourages all students to learn the game. Great school!
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school! The principal goes above and beyond his job title. Since we've been there, I've seen the principal there 7 days a week (Most weeks), teach (on a regular basis) struggling students that needed extra help, greet each student with a hand shake every morning and every evening and remember every student and parent's name! He is truly a gem! The Washington Post even recognized his leadership in 2009. Because he is so supportive of the educational process, he has high quality teachers that assist him in making Beach A Great Place for Kids!
--Submitted by a parent

The staff is wonderful - the teachers care about the kids and the principal goes above and beyond to make sure the school truly is a 'Great Place for Kids'. It's more like an extended family. I'm so glad my three kids were able to be a part of such a great learning experience in such a caring atmosphere. My two older daughters look forward to any opportunity to go back and see their teachers, because each teacher made a great impression in their lives. Go Beach!
--Submitted by Barbara Dobbins, a parent

From the principal down through the teaching staff and even bus drivers this school is class! As a military family we need that sense of 'family' and this school understands that to its core. If you've got a youngster and you want quality instruction with a caring attitude you won't beat this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Beach always has fresh idea how to make school a friendly and great place to learn.
--Submitted by a parent

Beach is not just a school.....it's a home away from home. Once a Beach baby, always a Beach baby. One of the best rewards of being a teacher is when a past student comes back to visit because you cared. Our staff is like family.
--Submitted by a teacher

It is a great place for kids and the community is so caring and close. The staff is the best.
--Submitted by a teacher

Because everyday we put our son on the bus it is always without worry because we feel we are releasing him to family. Beach Elementary's principal is the best of the best. Our daughter went to Beach years ago and he still remembers her name and so do all her teachers. Even with hundreds of kids coming in and out each year, The Beach staff interacts with you like you are one of their own.
--Submitted by a parent