Dr. James Craik Elementary School

Reading the other comments about this school, I concur with most of the comments. I rate the school low because of Principal Nye. She has overexagerated my child's behavior to the point I refused to take her phone calls any longer. I have spoken with other parents thinking it might just be me and a personality confilct only to learn that the overall opinion of Ms. Nye is that she singles students out that she thinks will hurt the overall school's test scores and berates the parents to the point they pull their child from the school. She finally stopped singinling my child out when I told her he would be there until he graduated to middle school so she better get to liking him. One year a teacher wanted to hold my child back because he wasn't where he should be, when only weeks before I had contacted his teacher to be informed and was told "everything was fine - he's doing great" I refused to let my child be held back due to the schools lack of communication, now he's top of his class in math and other skills. Craik is a good school, it's not a great school because of its leadership...The music program needs work too. The clear disregard for traditional christmas music is offensive.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I love, love, love the teachers and quality education Craik has to offer...but we will echo the comments about the principal, Penny Nye. We recently had a bullying issue with one of the students on the bus and when my wife called to address the problem, Ms. Nye was condescending, rude, and refused to acknowledge the behavior, instead asking for resolution of an administrative issue we had not known about previously (we are new to the state). When I personally called Ms. Nye she was obtuse at best and told me the incidents clearly did not constitute the application of the bullying label despte what the Charles County website clearly describes as such. To her credit, when I made an in person visit, her tone changed and she promised to provide resolution on the issue.
—Submitted by a parent

I have read all of the reviews and agree, teachers are great. It take a special kind of person to put up with the principal at James Craik Elementary. She has falsified my child's behavior and frustrated our patience to the point of wanting to pull our child out of school, but I refused to let her win. She threatened me once, to call Social Services because I didn't pick my child up from school when she thought I should. Frivolous phone calls, to the point I stopped taking her calls. She refused to listen to us from Pre K until our child's last year in terms of what kind of teacher we needed our child to have to be successful. Other teachers in our district refuse to consider teaching under her. I agree with all the other statements about her rudeness, lack of "bedside manner" as a school official and her overall "profiling" of a student. Other parents in our neighborhood have all the same complaints - yet the district will not remove her or put her where she belongs - in High School where I thinkshe would thrive. She had the audacity to tell me how to raise my kids in one specific mtg. I'm glad our elementary days are very soon behind us. Lots of other issues, but out of space.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started Kindergarten this year and her teacher is fantastic. She is very caring toawards the children and always willing to talk to me when I ask about my daughter and her work. HOWEVER, the front office staff is disappointing at best. The secretary seems almost lazy. She almost brushes you aside if you really need help. The principle is probably one of the rudest people I have ever met. I asked a question about a field trip my daughter was supposed to be taking and she scathingly replied "Why do you need to know?" Excuse me but I am pretty sure that I have the right to know anything that concerns my child. She is a very uncaring woman, as she couldn't care less about your situation. I dread that my child still has five more years at this lackluster school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is fantastic. The teachers truly love teaching, and my children have thrived there. It really is an amazing school and atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

We've just started at this school, and I am very pleased by my child's teacher, the resources, the solid academics and the open feel of the school. My only complaint so far has been the principal, who has been unnecessarily harsh and even rude in each of my interactions with her, and seems difficult to avoid - any inquiries I make seem inevitably to be routed to her.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school in my opinion and they encourage parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I am in complete agreement with two of the people who posted comments. The teachers my sons have had have been really good. However, the principal, Penny Nye is rude, ascerbic and seems to be only interested in the MSA scores. I have been told by 2 wonderful teachers that they left the school because of her (they did not elaborate). I am a volunteer at the school and I have seen her be rude to students and adults alike.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has wonderful students and teachers. Mrs. Nye, the principal, is overbearing, rude, and often too rough (verbally) with both the students and staff. She means well. She wants to push the kids however her manners in which to achieve this is abrasive. It seems as if she lacks both people skills and compassion.
—Submitted by a teacher

Teachers are pushed too hard to have top notch test scores (Maryland State Assesment) instead of helping the child learn what he/she needs to know to further their education to the next grade level. On a more positive note the teachers are wonderful. They really love you child and want what is best for them.
—Submitted by a parent

The Class sizes are now too large for one teacher - the level must fall since some student will fall behind for lack of proper attention (1st to 3rd grade) Need additional teachers.
—Submitted by M Grant, a parent

James Craik is the Best! Over the past few years Craik has had the best test scores in the county! It proves an excellant group of Adminstrators and teachers work at Craik! The students and their families who attend there are also some of the best too! It makes for a wonderful place to be.
—Submitted by a parent

I love James Craik. I have three kids going there, and their ages are 10, 6, and 4 and they absolutely love going to school. It is very diverse, the staff is wonderful. Everyone is very helpful and the cleanliness of the school is excellent. I am glad we are apart of the James Craik Family.
—Submitted by Lisa Marshall, a parent

We're had children in Craik for the last eight years. Mrs. Nye, the teachers and administrative staff are all top notch. They are always accessible to to the parents and ready to not only listen, but offer advice. They provide excellent opportunities for children of every level of academic achievement. We would move to stay in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We just put out 2 boys into Craik and the whole family loves the school. You can see that the teachers and staff care about these kids, strive to better each and it is obivious they love their jobs. Both boys look forward to school and the new things that they will learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really pleased with the staff and results that I have experienced at Dr James Craik. Our children love going to school. The teachers care, and take the time to go the extra mile.This is our third year involved and we couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent