Waterloo Elementary School

It's amazing how far Waterloo Elementary School has come since its inception of its special program in 1975 for students with "Emotional Handicaps". These classes each had 8-9 students, and the mode of behavior management was akin to social Darwinism. Time-outs for behavior were given without warning or counting. Now-illegal seclusion practices were used. A child who earned a time out would be put in a large, open ceiling wooden box, about five feet per side, with no chair. This time out box was in the classroom. If a child protested, they would have to stay in the box longer. Furthermore, students with behavior problems were put on a "probationary" status by means of a vote by the rest of their peers. That's right, not the teacher, but rather their emotionally handicapped peers. While the principal from this era, Anthony Yount is now retiring comfortably in North Carolina, the students of this program are struggling as adults with PTSD, due to this possibly well-intentioned program. Let's hope that if Waterloo continues to take on the leading edge in education, that they don't awfully botch it as they did in the 1970s and 1980s.

My son started Waterloo preschool 2 months ago and it has been amazing! The staff is very supportive and makes everyone feel welcome and special! I have not encountered any member of staff that did not offer assistance. The Principal, Mrs. Webster is truly great, very involved and fosters a positive atmosphere within the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Waterloo is a very good school. I have 3 kids here and they love it! The principal, Mrs. Webster is very kind & dedicated. She is present at all the after-school events and is also very active at these events. I have subbed a few times at Waterloo and the staff & teachers are friendly. I am pleased with the quality of education my kids are getting. There are so many fantastic teachers from Mrs. Bray, Ms. Yakscoe-Markle, Mrs. Kuegler, Mrs. Billey, Mrs. Pleasant & Mr Fellin to Mrs. Cutick, just to name a few; who are doing a wonderful job of adding value to our kids. Thank you to all the staff & teachers at WES. God bless you all!
--Submitted by a parent

I can't ask God for a better school and staff than we have at Waterloo. I have two daughters who have been at Waterloo for 3 and 2 years. The quality of instruction and the staff are top notch. From Mrs. Webster to Ms Yascoe-Markle, to Ms. Clark, to Ms kuegler, to Ms. Pleasant, thank y'all for all that you do to add value to my kids.
--Submitted by a parent

My son just started Pre-K and had never been out of the care of his family before. He was welcomed so warmly by the staff, from the principal down and he now loves school. We moved from California in hopes of starting our children off right in good schools and we are pleased with this school already.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a child who has been at waterlloo for 3 years and one who is starting and my husband and I love it.Our child is happy there, The staff is great and my 2nd child cant wait to go.Good job to the staff, teachers,and parents who make waterloo a great success.
--Submitted by a parent

My child was transfered to Waterloo right before the end of school year, my husband and I were very pleased with how well Waterloo welcomed our child and made him feel like he belonged right from the beginning of the school year. Staff are very friendly and professional, teachers are sweet and made him feel right from the begining. very pleased with this school. Kudos, Mrs. Reyna Vargas.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is friendly and accomodating. My sons are special needs and started in the middle of the school year. The school went above and beyond to integrate them and make them comfortable. The principal is good, the vice principal is also nice and having school age kids as well he can relate. The school psychologist is pretty cool. The lunch ladies are neat. There are fun activites run by the pta every so often. Although, I wish they taught foreign languages. They don't. Overall, this school is wonderful!
--Submitted by a parent

We have had three children attend Waterloo over the last 12 years and feel very fortunate. The staff is stable, well-trained, friendly and organized. The facilities are clean and inviting. Testing levels have gone up. At times we have had discipline problems and the staff has been prepared to work with us, even coach us on progressive discipline. The parent volunteers tend to be the same ones every year and that needs to improve. We will remember Waterloo fondly (this is our last year).
--Submitted by Craig Brown, a parent

Our children were transfered to Waterloo. We were extremely pleased with how well Waterloo welcomed our children and made them feel like they belonged right from the beginning of the school year. We were also very pleased that Waterloo has a warm and friendly learning environment where each student is encouraged to excel and learn in a positive yet relaxed atmoshphere. The school environment is welcoming and smiling faces meet and greet you wherever you turn. The students classwork and artwork are proudly displayed all through the building as well as incentive and achievement walls and showcases. Kudos to a staff that does an A+ job!
--Submitted by a parent