Houghton Elementary School

Houghton Elementary has the best Teachers, Staff and Principal. The teachers care about the children and take time to teach them all that they need to know to be successful students.
—Submitted by a parent

Houghton used to be one on the best, but not anymore. The PTA is involved and there are some good teachers, but the school has gone through several principles. There is a reason for this. The school has an old school mentality that needs to be seriously updated. The teachers run the school, not the principle. The principle has not used his best judgment when it pertains to the children. Several teachers do not let the parents be as involved as they should. New ideas are not welcome. It is 2009, not 1969. I would not send my child here. There are better schools within the Waterford school district. The negative past reviews are quite accurate. Not impressed with Mr. Nester at all. He needs to go back into retirement.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son completed grades 1-5 at Houghton. Houghton is a terrific elementary school in Waterford, and has been considered one of the best, if not top elementary school in the Waterford School District since I was a child attending Waterford Schools. Houghton's PTA involvement is great. The teachers are terrific. Many of the teachers have Master Degree's and/or continue their education through seminars and conferences over summer months. Teachers were always helpful and caring, and always accessible. Class ratios were always met to the teacher's union contract. Houghton's extra programs (like Readers and Leaders) are wonderful. Even their before & after school care program was good. New Administration always take some getting used to, but do not make the entire school bad (as reviews on here would have you think). However, let's remember that parents need to be involved in their child's education--it's not entirely up to their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I must respond to the person who posted 'the school is moving in the wrong direction, etc.'You are there for 4 weeks & you can make that assumption? I feel sorry for your child, he was pulled out of a very caring & parent involved school that cares what parents think.You seem to be teaching him to have a temper tantrum when things go wrong and quit instead of working on the problem-obviously you didn't get very involved with the issue because it would have been resolved, I'm sure. We've been at Houghton for 6 years & while all the teachers aren't perfect, they do care about the kids, & most of the teachers are awesome- we had most of them, we should know, and as for Mr. Nester, don't even go there, he is awesome too.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so sorry that someone really feels like this. I think Mr. Nester has gone out of his way to make sure things run smooth here. We had a problem the second day of school and he was already getting involved. I see him outside in the morning when the buses are coming in and he is always walking the hallways and stops in the classrooms to see what is going on. Not like Ms. Smith who you hardlly even seen at school. I have been in this school for 5 years and many more to come and I am very happy with what is going on here. The staff is wonderful and very easy to talk to and get along with. I guess this person didn't give this school a chance. To bad for them.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is going in the wrong direction. Not, a good place to send your child if you are interested in working with the faculty. Principal seems unwilling or unable to change the poisoning effect of a few of the teachers and the effect they have not only on the students but younger teachers that are following that lead. Lottery, by sending your child here. You might get a good teacher or you may get someone who will make your child hate school, and be abusive to you at the same time. If you send your child here, research which teacher you will get. I found out too late that mine did not win the lottery. 4 weeks in and I'm pulling my child out. When I told him, he was very excited and happy, that should tell you something.
—Submitted by a parent

There has been a drop in parent involvement in the past year due to the new administration. Teachers do not seem to put the extra effort in, as they had in the past. There is a noticeable lack of enthusiasm in the building as a whole.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son who has had nothing but excellent teachers in his three years @ Houghton! He is happy and so are my husband and I. I am very involved in the school and have to agree that Ms. Smith has done a great job in the short time at Houghton! Ms. Smith has brought Houghton to the 21st. century with new ideas and a fresh look at multiple things, but the first being the children! Houghton is a very family oriented and loving community and I am so glad I choose Houghton! I interveiwed 9 different schools before making my choice and I feel blessed that God lead us here!
—Submitted by a parent

I have to disagree. I have a daughter at Houighton and she is a very bright student above her 5th grade level. The teachers are awesome and keep me informed about her progress. I like that they let you know their phone numbers at home. My daughter has been to one of the best private schools in Michigan and they didn't even do that!! I love Mrs. Smith. She is a very caring woman and loves the children. I'm sorry you have had a bad experience at Houghton. Maybe you need to look a little closer at home. God bless all.
—Submitted by a parent

I whole hearted have to say that Houghton is a wonderful school and has provided a very loving and nurturing environment for my children to learn in. I am very involved at the school and feel that the teachers, principal, and staff all have the children's best interest at heart. It is a very family oriented school and I am proud to be part of it's community. My children are also excelling in their grades. If there is ever any concern I know that a teacher will contact me immediately.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have two daughter's attending Houghton Elementary, and I have to say that my daughter is slipping terribly within there school system. A new principle took over the beginning of last year and parent involvement has dropped, the teachers due not communicate with the parents when they see a child struggle and the new principle does not have an open door policy. I am searching for a new school in hope to find a staff that promotes success, fairness and an open door policy for parents. I do not recommend this school if you are looking for your child to grow.
—Submitted by a parent