Mary Helen Guest Elementary School

We're blessed to be part of this wonderful elementary school. They have the BEST principal, BEST teachers and staff, and the BEST parents. We're a minority family and we came from a different district and before transferring at MHG I thought that we would struggle. However, I was wrong and it was the best decision we ever made. I will not leave Walled Lake nor the State of Michigan just because of how much we LOVE this school. We're saddened that next school we'll have a different principal whom we really love and respect, but we're pretty sure everything will be the same. We love Mary Helen Guest Elementary School! Looking forward for many years with you.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school for any student who is a minority. We woven out to walled lake so that my child can have a better education and although she has gotten one at mary helen, the school really only caters to the those who are not of color. I don't like that for parent teacher conferences the child is not allowed to be present in the room. There is a sense that they are trying to cover up something. They tend to be very petty with children of minorities and your child will not have a voice if they attend this school. They always use the terns "the other kids don't do that" or "the other kids do behave like that" YOUR CHILD SHOULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED INTO A GROUP WITH "THE OTHER KIDS" THEY ARE THERE OWN UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL. The staff tend to be very petty as well. And when there is a problem at school if you ask for the principal you get the teacher or if you ask for the teacher your get the supervisor. Walled lake district is a good district for the middle school and high school level minorities but if your in elementary hang it up. They won't see the needs of ANY minority child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son's kindergarten teacher was one of the best. It was a great year.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been @ MHG for 5 years and we have enjoyed all of her teachers. They have been friendly, helpful and encouraging. We have been pretty happy with the curriculum and with her academic growth(she was bored in K and 1). The principal is helpful and the kids love him. He always takes time to answer questions or to attend school functions. The office staff, however, is lazy and disorganized. We have had several issues with them calling the wrong person/wrong number if my daughter is ill. Once she sat at school ill all day because they had her call home by herself in 1st grade (she left a voicemail that I got that evening after we were home) when I was at work. Had they looked, the emergency card said as much. The office staff isnt teaching, though, so I can look past it.
—Submitted by a parent

Our Daughter attended MHG for kindergarten, and then because we moved, she attended first grade at a different school within the district. We were so disappointed with the experience we had in first grade, that we requested a transfer, and our Daughter will be finishing up her elementary education at MHG. We are thrilled that she will be returning to Guest next year! When you walk in the school you just get a great feeling. the staff is well rounded and very caring, the kids are great, and the atmosphere is how an elementary school should feel like... You are welcomed and respected. You and your child are both treated wonderfully. We just can't wait to get back, and realize that we should have never left!
—Submitted by a parent

I think this a fabulous school!. I have adored all of my 2nders teachers so far.. He has been here since kindergarten. My youngest is in kindergarten and I have been very impressed with the teachers concern for the children. In defense of the office staff, there are also great, they know every student by name and recognize the parents quickly and mange to keep everything in the school running smoothly. I am proud that this school is educating my children.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter enrolled here at 3ed grade. We are not happy at all. The secretary is very rude and the principal was to easy going with the teachers. Everyday my daughter had like 2 hours of homework that the teacher never explained thoroughly.
—Submitted by a parent

I find the two teachers my son has had are very qualified at what they are doing. I really enjoy this school and all of the staff that I have met. He is now in first grade and learning at a very rapid pace. His reading, writing and math have improved so much since school began. He is doing great and so are his teachers.
—Submitted by Chantal Pulter, a parent

I happen to love this school, the teachers are wonderful and very experienced my son is a 4th grader and we have been there since kindergarden and every teacher he has had has been great, my daughter is a 1st grader and all is well so far and she has had different teachers then my son and they are also great!! I moved here for this school and will stay because of it!!! Office staff has much to be desired but they are not teaching our children so that part doesnt really matter as much to me.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum is weak at best. I assumed when I moved into a school with a fairly large tax base that more of the budget would be used to push academics. I find the teachers to be quite lazy and not focused on the job at hand. I feel they put in the minimal requirements to collect a paycheck and slip under the radar. I plan on moving my child out of this school as fast has my home will sell to prevent my child from becoming illiterate. Quite frankly, the only acedemic education my child has recieved is at home. If it were not for my huband and myself teaching them they would not know anything. All this school has taught her is socialization, in a nutshell it's daycare!
—Submitted by a parent

While the teaching staff has competence, the administrative staff leaves much to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent