Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School

I find some of the negative reviews funny. I recently moved my family here, and my kids were not doing the best in school when we first arrived. They were behind due to the last school they were in (even though in comparison with other students in the previous school, my kids were doing great). We have received information from both teachers about our kids, and they are both above 93% for their current grade. I have stopped the superintendent in the hallway as he was on his way to a meeting, and he took some time to speak with me. All emails/phone calls to any school administrator/teacher have been replied to. The negative reviews seem to be of a specific incident that has been portrayed as a general practice. I am very satisfied with the education both my kids are receiving and the communication back and forth from both teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two sons attending Rockford Arts Magnet school- they are thriving! Their teachers have gone above and beyond to meet my kids at their level, and create additional projects if they are in need of more- I can speak to the Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers as being attentive, reponsive to me, and genuinely interested in my child. Rockford recently added Destination Imagination as a option for students, as well as the Excel gifted program-wonderful things are happening in Rockford for kids!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers don't repsond to emails or requests by the parents. I have even emailed the pricinpal about concerns I am having with my son at school with no response. I don't think ignoring parents is a good solution to ANY problem.
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School. The school and the district have a true dedication to progressive action for their students. They have recently adopted a comprehensive new literacy curriculum and my kindergartner is reading and writing way beyond levels of other schools' programs. The all day every day tuition free kindergarten has been the best thing that has happened to our family!
--Submitted by a parent

I am very surprised at the ratings for this school. This will be my son's 2nd year at this school and will not be attending a 3rd year. His first year at the school not one email, phone, or note was responded to from his teacher. This year my son has went form a's and b's in school to c's. I have asked him what is going on in school with his grades as the teacher has not even tried to contact me in regards to his dropping grades. He has told me that he does not pay attention in class and has been talking wiht his friends. I have emailed the teacher to have his desk moved and to let me know what is going on. I have yet to get a response. His teacher also was very rude with my in front of the entire class when I went to pick up my son from school for a dr appt. stating that parents are not allowed to pick up their children direct form the classroom. Well that is fine and dandy however after sitting in the office with 3 people behind the desk for over 15mins with out even a hello, can I help you I had no choice but to walk out of the office up to his classroom and not one person said a word.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is a place where kids come to learn, make new friends and have fun. I still hold good memories when I was a student in the old Rockford Elementary school.

My son just started going to this school and I've noticed a remarkable change in his interest in learning, he seems eager and excited more often than less. We have been here for a month and even though the curriculum is arts based, I have also noticed an improvement in his writing, i think the arts piece makes him want to write and write better, It m makes it a bit funner.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Rockford is great. I know the Arts portion really adds to the curriculum. The kids get exposed to a variety of things they don't at other public schools. The special services in the District are OUTSTANDING. The only thing I can flaw the elementary school on is the recent change in Arts Block - kids who are in Band are made to chose Band as their arts block. This isn't a good way to do it -- Band kids should have the same rights as the other kids. These kids already have to sacrifice class time to learn to play their instruments.
--Submitted by a parent

The two negative reviews are way off...except for the keeping parents informed. I'm a divorced father and wish my son's teacher would also notify me of issues regarding my son. At times, I've found information out directly from him, instead of his teacher...and I am very hands on when it comes to my son's education. However, with that said, from the principal on down I believe Rockford to be a very good school. Perhaps more parents actually need to have more 'hands-on' when it comes to their children instead of complaining about referendums and such.
--Submitted by a parent

I too believe that the 2 negative reviews of this school are way off base! I have an 8 year old currently attending the elementary school and I couldn't be happier with his teachers, the cirriculum and the availiblity of the special music and arts programs that the 'Arts Magnet School' designation and funding has provided. We recently moved to the area and I couldn't disagree more with the person who commented that they found the communication to be poor. My child has some special needs (that also include some special security and safety precautions) and our experience with the staff at Rockford elementary right on up from the lunch line ladies that work in the cafeteria to Principal Terry Stansfield has been nothing short of terrific. Our children are our future. Education is expensive. But we reap what we sow...and Rockford School District is sowing good things.
--Submitted by a parent