Toy Town Elementary School

Teachers there are wonderful. Both my kids were and are honor students. What I believe they need to work on is, how to return calls to parents when parents call them in regards to situations that have to do with their children. I have heard many posistive things about the teachers their, except for the gym coach. I believe that he needs to take anger management class or they need to hired someone else's that enjoys being around kids. He has yelled at the kids, make them cry and say unnecessary remarks/comments to them or about their class. So if your child is going there it is important to listen to your child when they come home and tell you things like that. I happen to be one of the parents that do call in and complain. Not only for my children but for other children and teachers there that he happens to bad mouth. My children loves it there but because of a situation like that, they tell me they don't want to attend the school there and want to move back to their old school! Till today the coach has not apologize to the students or the teacher! Other than this situation the teachers there take the time to get to know their students and focus on them. Very kind and helpful.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to winchendon schools since kindergarden, and she absolutley loves it here. The teachers are wonderful, she has been on the honor roll since 2nd grade. The town is great, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent over the past two years I have seen that most of the emphasis is on training kids to take the MCAS. I feel they should be schooled in the basics and at a level that pushes them. Most of the classes are based on the overall ability of the class not the individual. I don't like the idea that the students are praised and penalized as a whole. If one student is good or bad they should be handled as an individual.
--Submitted by a parent

Good small town school. Teachers are professional, and they try very hard.
--Submitted by a parent

There have been a great number of positive changes at this school within the past 8 months! While the Massachusetts State Board of Education mandated that multi-age teams be transitioned into a differential instruction in every classroom, these changes have influenced the staff and the children in many positive ways! Though the music and arts programs remain small, they are of quality. This school now also offers a very well-funded after school program with more extracurricular activities spread throughout the community. As of Sept 2005, the PTO is aligned with school goals and is welcoming and has the active participation of not only parents but several teachers and administrators as well! Great Improvements!
--Submitted by a parent

Multi-level age groups will be non-existant Sept. 2005 and there is no TAG program available. Chapter 70 students dictate classroom structure leaving above average children bored, and unable to move ahead. Music program is small. Musical instruments are optional therefore, not many children participate. Level of parental involvment overwhelmingly competitive - too many fundraisers - school needs great improvement. Cohesion between parent/teacher needs improvement. Administration changes within the past two years has been high and added to the confusion of leadership. This school, while in the turn-around plan, has had many parents turning around and heading out the door with their children in tow.
--Submitted by a parent