West Utica Elementary School

I posted on this site a negative post a few years back when my child first started attending this school in third grade. My child is in his fourth year at West Utica and some of my feelings have changed. I feel that theprincipal, teachers and Special Ed dept is great and cares for my child wholeheartedly. I still feel that bullying up to last year was not dealt with the best. At first I was told it was a( he said, he said) situation even though my child had a mark on his face. The child that assaulted my child was suspended only after I sent a letter to the principal. I feel she was unaware and should have been informed by her staff handling the situation. I am very involved and have built a relationship with the staff to support my child. We have a new principal this year and I am not sure how he will work out. So far so good. I feel that this school needs more help on the platground and tougher on bullying. Otherwise, I would recommend West Utica Elementary at this time.
--Submitted by a parent

I have nothing to say but fantastic things about the teaching staff, all the teachers that my girls have been with have all been fabulous and have worked tirelessly to improve my children's education and work with them at their level, in some instances advanced and in other ways to accommodate. However I have had a lot of trouble with the Administrative staff, they are not friendly as the school motto might otherwise imply, and they are uncooperative with parents. But with lots of effort on my part the office staff has become increasingly warm, but you have to have a thick skin, and YOU have to work harder at it then they will. This is a disappointing characteristic for an Elementary School, especially since for most parents this is where you first impression is made with the School District.
--Submitted by a parent

I am impressed with the ACE awards and the assemblies that are held each month. They highlight positive values and reward students who are displaying academic excellence, high effort and good citizenship. The student-body assembles in a very orderly way and participates with enthusiasm as they cheer on one another. The effort made by the teachers and the principal to instill the lessons of positive conduct and ethical values is one that I applaud.
--Submitted by a parent

I had the pleasure of joining the staff at West Utica this past school year, and I can honestly say that this is a great place. I think there are many OUTSTANDING teachers here, as well as the best principal I have ever seen. She is in the building every day and the students SEE her interacting with the staff, and she works with the students closely everyday, making everyone feel their worth. I think the teachers here (the majority) REALLY care for their students and work hard to help them meet and exceed their goals. I was charmed by the students and love the diversity at West Utica. I can honestly say with the considerably high turnover of students we get due to a lot of apartments nearby, there really is a 'family' atmosphere of caring, kindness, and support. That starts with the staff. Principal, teachers, kids~all one team!
--Submitted by a teacher

This school has been excellent for ALL of my kids! They have a lot of programs for the students to do after school that are both fun and academically enriching! The teachers and principal are excellent! Patient and kind, but have zero tolerance for any type of inappropriate/violent behavior, which makes the school a very safe place for our kids to be. I cannot recommend this school enough! The only way anyone would have anything unpleasant to say about the teachers or principal is if their child has behavior problems & they are in denial and want the school to ignore them (which they will NOT do)! I love West Utica!
--Submitted by a parent

I am so disappointed in this school. Children who have special needs dont get their needs met. And the principal has no people skills.
--Submitted by a parent

My experience with West Utica has been good and bad, so far I have had no problems with the teachers, Mrs, Brasza is fabulous she mas my daughters kindergarten teacher and she was amazing, now as far as the principal goes, she is terrible, she has no concept of how to run a run in a respectfull manner, she is very rude not only to parents and the children she is also very rude to her staff, maybe that's were the office staff have got it from, If we had a new principal this school would be great, there are always events for the children to attend and after school programs.
--Submitted by a parent

In rating this school and comment to other parents. First off I never saw a school nor school district to be so closed off to the purpose that focus on the best interest of each student; saftey of our children; and the way they are taught in an establishment such run by the state and funded by parents, taxpayers alike. In reading the responses to each posting I have to agree that there must be some truth to these complaints since I did work at the school of complaint. Parents that drop their children off to school do not realize the struggles each student is face with when they are left there to be taught. The problems you see occur while the student is attending classes, lunch and released for the day and the student returns back to his/ or her parent's care some experience such exhibits of stress; acting...
--Submitted by a parent

Please don't be foooled. This school is poorly run and has serious saftey issues. Those who speak of other children's behavior show their ignorance. My daughter encountered situations that should have never had to be addressed in elementary school. The way they were handled was disappointing to say the least. The principal is so self absorbed with her title, she has lost sight that it's about the children not her.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended West Utica years ago (1st - 6th grade), I am now proud to say that my daughter attends West Utica! The motto: 'The Friendly School' has not changed & it fits this school to a 'T'! I have always loved the teachers/ @ West Utica, they have ALWAYS had the childrens best interest at heart & that is the truth! I have lived in Shelby Twsp since 1974 & my daughter has went to Ewell Elementary (2yrs)also! The best years she have been with West Utica! Yahoo 4 U! The teachers/staff really take each and every child by the hand, they are patient and they understand what it means that every household & every child is different! There are teachers still there from when I attended school there & that says a lot to me! A very EXCELLENT school!
--Submitted by a parent