Anderson Elementary School

This is my son's third year at Anderson and I have been very pleased with every teacher he's had. Teachers have communicated with me in ways that worked well for me (email, etc.) and they talked with me to resolve problems. My son has thrived here. I haven't had any issues with the principal. I see many complaining that "parental involvement is not encouraged". The way I see it: if you're a parent who wants to be involved, then be involved. The end.
—Submitted by a parent

I am rating Anderson Elementary a 3 because the many of the teachers are great. They are understanding if you have a child that needs extra help and attention. However, my family has been at the school for 5 years now (2 kids 3 years apart) and I can truly say that the principal there has no respect for the parents. If you offer to help but don't share her ideas you will not be welcome. She talks to the parents as if they are the children or uneducated. If you question her about what she is telling you she gets upset. I only allowed my youngest boy to go to the school because of the teachers. Since for the most part I don't have to have anything to do with the principal or the partnership (which is 100% run by the principal) I feel my younger son if learning a lot and enjoying his teacher and classmates. Or the three is for great teachers - but a horrible principal and partnership (PTA).
—Submitted by a parent

First off my son is the in the kindergarten there, and his teacher is Mr. Riccobono. Mr. R has done a terrible job this year. I understand he has a classroom with a lot of high needs students, but he has dropped the ball on several occasions. He's unorganized, slow to unresponsive to emails, and always seems too rushed to have a conversation. His behavioral management in a classroom is unacceptable, as he does a lot of yelling. His daily citizenship grades that come home with the students is a poor tool for measuring behavior on a daily basis... All in all... if I knew what we were getting into with this guy we would have ran the other way. On top of that... I'm not pleased with the principal either. Mr. White... the custodian... HE ROCKS!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Anderson has a strong principal that is a great leader. When you ask her for help she is there for you. Anderson has wonderful teachers that care for the students and the school follows the state standards.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has an overall wonderful staff, the teachers are great, the principal is great, and the support staff is great. I really like how the principal will take the time to come out of her office and interact with each classroom personally. My sons love her and so do I, I really love the fact that she puts the kids first.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has wonderful teachers. Mr. Riccobono is a wonderful kindergarten teacher. I also like Mr. Nicholas (1st grade) and Mrs. Callahan, but I think all the teachers are good. The problem is the principal. I have not met a single parent or volunteer who liked her. Thank goodness when my kids were there, she was usually nowhere to be seen. I think Jodi ran things. The one good thing she did was to have the walking track built. It was because she wanted to keep the weight off,but it was good for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Anderson are outstanding. All of them are caring, warm and helpful. The principal, on the other hand is completely full of herself and takes her own agenda instead of doing what is important for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

My Child has unfortuntely attentended this school for two years now and this is the last year, my daughter will not even start there. The Kindergarten teac her he had was great, caring and communicated well. 1st grade came and the problem have been horrible. The split class is a hrrible idea especially if you have a child with ADHD. The teachers don't have time to workwith the child and they give no ideas on how to help and the principle there is a joke. She doesn't care about the children or the parents and acts like we all owe her something. If you are thinking of putting your child in this school second and third guess that.
—Submitted by a parent

Our school is friendly & warm at all times. It is a nice feeling to walk in & know that your child is in a warm & loving place when they aren't with you. The teachers are great & take care of our child like they are their own. Plus our school is very clean and well maintain thanks to the crew that we have working to make our school that way.
—Submitted by a parent

So far so good! The principal does get involved and she does highly encourage parent involvement. There is room for improvement but the faculty all seem very involved and well qualified.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff is friendly and cooperative, they really seem to care about the kids and their success. I always see smiling faces everytime I am there and I feel very confident leaving my daughter in their hands. They work with the family and encourage your participation in your childs education and development and give you many helpful tips on what you can work on with your child at home to help in their success.
—Submitted by a parent

I have an Autistic Child that Attends Anderson Elementary School and I have been very disappointed in the principals ability to lead her school. She does not promote parent involvement. She does not get involved any more than she has to. I would not reccomend this school. We will be pulling our students and placing them elsewhere next school year. It is a shame that the school board does not get more involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a partent with a special needs child at Anderson Elementary School. This school has been a great disappointment. The teachers are wonderful. But unfortunatley our principal lacks leadership skills and or concern for her students safety and well being. I encourage parents who are trying to decide if Anderson is the school for them to really do your research first maybe it will prevent your child from going through what my child has been through. We will be switching to Reid Elementary Next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids in Anderson and in the fall my last daughter will go. I am extremely pleased with the school. The academic programs have far exceeded any expectation that I could have had. Each teacher that they have had has been caring, of good character, a wonderful role model. I love the full time Spanish teacher, the music and art teachers are so good, and I just love the gym teacher. The level of parent involvement is high. They strongly encourage all parents to get involved if at all possible. So if you are looking for a school, I know you won't be disappointed with Anderson, I know I wasn't.
—Submitted by a parent

My child's teacher has surpassed my expectations. She is very friendly, approachable, and easy to talk to. We have frequent communication via email, which allows me to feel like an active participant in my child's education by staying on top of what's happening at school. She welcomes parental involvement. At times I have come to her with concerns and she has addressed them in a responsible and professional manner. My greatest concern is behavioral problems with particular students in my child's class, and while I know the teacher and school are addressing these issues on a daily basis, my child has unfortunately been impacted negatively by these less than positive influences. I would imagine that issues like this could arise in any classroom, however, so overall I am reasonably pleased with the manner in which my concerns are being addressed.
—Submitted by a parent

I just love my child's teacher. She is very caring and concerned about my child's welfare. In addition she does a wonderful job meeting the needs of my child. She always has an open door and I am welcome in at any time. I have had such a wonderful experience with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Grand Blanc prides itself in its Character Education. This school does not support those concepts. The leadership is poor. Parents are not made to feel welcome. Parent participation is not encouraged. Our year there proved to be disasterous. There are better schools available in Grand Blanc. I would suggest meeting with the Principal to see if this school is a good fit for you before enrolling your child.
—Submitted by a parent

I was not satisfied with this school at all. They do not follow through on things that they are supposed to for your child and you. They have next to no comunication with the parents at all. I am glad that my children are not going to be attending this school ever again. They are rude and unprofessional. I hope that you can find a better school for your child/children. Exspecailly if they have any learning problems at all. Also if they have any behavior problems and so on this school is not a good one at all.
—Submitted by a parent