Willow Ridge Elementary School

If your child has a learning disability forget it.. Principal not willing to help at all, blows off all concerns. Doesnt want to be bothered by parents concerns about teachers. Not so sure about the other reviewer... pretty sure he doesnt know or care about my child attending Willow Ridge. Teachers 1-3 grade Wonderful! Upper elementary terrible!!!! No extra help for the kids that need it, communication to parents poor! Someone should do something to help Grand Ledge schools they are FAILING! Serious improvements are needed. Cannot wait for my child to be done at Willow Ridge. Hoping for better experience at Hayes.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school and excellent teachers, My kids are attending willow ridge since 3 years. My kids are improved lot teachers are very helpful. Dr.Johnson is wonderful princepal and he take cares each and every body in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I really appreciate the teachers and cirriculum at Willow Ridge. This facility also boasts a wonderful kindergarten setting for the chirldren's first year in elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and staff at Willow Ridge are fantastic. Great school
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have attended Willow Ridge Elementary and we love it. The teaching staff is wonderful. There isn't a bad teacher in the bunch. All the employees are friendly and approachable and truely care about the well being of your children. The classrooms are large, but the staff does a wonderful job and my kids are doing very well. The principle knows all 400 + students by name and always recognizes me as 'so and so's mom' which says that he is hands on in the building. Every teacher, staff member and student is expected to go by the 5 standards to live by; truth, trust, personal best, respect and active listening. This is emphasized every day during announcements. I would definately recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

School is ok, my niece likes this school. But the children of the school are not very nice to minority children like herself. The class sizes are large but I do feel like my niece is learning.

If your child has a learning disability, the principal does not want to help you. He will think of any excuse to remove your child from the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a great experience at willow ridge. The teachers have gone over-and-above their job title, even offering special tutor time with the children. Dr. Johnson has also been an encyclopedia of information for me. I haven't seen anything about dr. Johnson that the other parents have said. I did ask for information and was open to the insight they gave me. I was worried about sending my children to public school, but this school is a great environment for my children. The key is to be involved in your child's schooling!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm thankful for Willow Ridge. For a public school in today's economy, they're doing very well. The biggest complaint I have is the class sizes. Nevertheless, Willow Ridge is still managing to do a good job. I agree with the other parent, there is no diversity.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a teacher at Willow Ridge Elementary for the past 10 years under the leadership of Dr. Johnson. Dr. Johnson is the finest principal I have worked with. He knows every student (nearly 500) by name and is very visible in our building. He greets the children at the end of the lunch line, takes a recess duty nearly every day and consistently sees the children off at the end of the day. He knows how to work with our emotionally impaired children when they are having a rough time, and he takes an active role in our PTA. Dr. Johnson provides opportunities for staff to work together toward our school improvement goals and remains an active part of the School Improvement Team. For these and many other reasons, Dr. Johnson is a strong and effective leader who makes a difference at Willow Ridge Elementary everyday.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is my child first year at this school and I must say I love her 3rd grade teacher. But I do not agree with the leadership of the school. The school is not very diversed in ethnicity.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great teachers and facilities. I saw the ratings on the principal from other reviews and disagree. I found Dr. Johnson to be very helpful and supportive of our children who have required some additional special needs (which can be very difficult to get since the needs are relatively minor).
—Submitted by Todd, a parent

Great clean school! Safe. The teachers have for the most part been concerned and caring. The principal does not want to offer any extra student resources.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal did not want to deal with problems in the school. Always turned the real issue around to be the fault of the child of the parent who had contacted him with a complaint, no matter how minor. He is not a people person, does not know how to deal with real life issues. This is the only down fall of a wonderful school. The facility and staff are top notch.