Kingsford Elementary School

I believe this to be an excellent school with excellent administration. Paulette Watkins is exceptional at leadership and has earned the respect of each parent, teacher and student. To differ from the same belief that I have with my comments would be based on one's own self evaluation of how involved they are with their own children. Kingsford fosters an environment of learning that I have yet to see in any of the county elementary schools. Each school has its challenges and so do we all. The proof is by taking a visit and seeing the acitivies that are made of great importance by the leadership, such as quarterely awards presentations. Continue to shoot for the stars Kingsford!
--Submitted by a parent

Great Academic and Fine Arts curricular support in all programs! I am a proud Kingsford parent.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this is a good school. My only concern is that they do not communicate with the parents as well as I would like.
--Submitted by a parent

Kingsford ES is an excellent school. I found that teachers are involved, some more than others perhaps. I also feel there is a lot of emphasis on the state wide test scores than implementing a well rounded curriculum. However, with more parent involvement and support, I think that can change as anything else. Parent involvement is lacking greatly in this school and it sometimes shows through their child(ren).
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends Kingsford for K-5 and she loves it. I love her teacher. I believe the school has a high parent involvement rate compared to other schools in PG county. Kingsford provides activities and functions for the parents to be involved. The key part of a child's edu. is parent involvement. The Principal and Vice Principal compliment each others personality, one is very vocal and aggressive and the other is very calm and reserved but not weak. I am happy as of now......
--Submitted by a parent

I've experienced Kingsford upper grade teachers don't care much for their students at all. They are barely managing the day to day operations, so education and any child that needs even just a little encouragement becomes neglected and left behind. The only phone calls I get from the schools are from my child, who is informing me that once again he wants to leave the school. I sit in his classes frequently (most times spying thru the class door window as not to be seen by my child and the teacher) and half the time the teacher is threatening the students. They take recess away on average 4 days out the week (and they wonder why these kids cannot calm down). If you have a choice, go somewhere else!
--Submitted by a parent

Kingsford is a excellent school. My children have been challenged in the TAG program. The teachers and administration have been responsive to my phone calls and emails. I do believe you have to be an active participant in your child's education. Remember education begins in the home.
--Submitted by a parent

Kingsford was an excellent school, but I would say it is a good school at this point. My children have attended Kingsford since Kindergarten and while the lower grade teachers are great, I don't think the administration has found the right blend of caring and committed teachers for the upper grades. The library is under utilized and there is a degradation is return emails and phone calls. The principle, the counselor and even the teacher of my oldest child have yet to respond to meeting requests. There seems to be little effort to bridge the gap with those children who are on the fence in learning and this is a great mistake.
--Submitted by a parent

I find Teachers and Principal have concern and care for studends and school image. Parent involvment appears fair. Overall I feel it's a good school but I do have concerns.The library doesn't seem to function as a library despite the school's concerns to increase reading scores. Regular visits to the library to read,check out new books and participate in the Accelerated Reading program at our previous schools was an integral part of students' education. Kindergardeners to Fifth graders were eager to test comprehension and recollection and increase reading points for each book they read. I have not found this excitment for reading here. Loss of outdoor recess is often used punitively for poor behavior.I believe outdoor recess activity as important as breakfast and adequate sleep for elementary students.
--Submitted by a parent

Kingsford gives the impression of being a great school. My experience has been very different. I am the parent of a highly capable child, but have found it very difficult to get her academic needs met there. The principal responds very slowly to parents' needs and seems very inflexible. As an educator myself, I know firsthand what goes on in schools and I am working hard to not have my child slip through the cracks. My impression is that Kingsford, and PGPC in general, have concerns with the test scores than with the business of truly educating students and meeting their needs.
--Submitted by a parent