Vancleave Lower Elementary School

I am just amazed at the lengths this school will go to keep parents out oft the classrooms. Parents may not even set foot in the halls that lead to the class. They do not welcome volunteers, they do not allow you to observe in your child's class, they do not allow you to eat lunch with your child. Assemblies and other events are not open to the parents.The very very few occasions parents are allowed, younger siblings are not. At the same time, very little information is sent home. I honestly have no idea what my child does all day. She brings home a few worksheets, and that is that. If you are okay with not being involved at all in your child's education this school is probably fine for you. It is a nice clean cheerful building and the staff seems competent and good with the children. If you have a choice however, I would advise you not to move into this district. My husband and I feel strongly that it is our responsibility to monitor our child's education and be involved with her schooling. This school will not allow that. We will be finishing the school year here, but not returning.
--Submitted by a parent

I wrote a long review before and for some reason it did not post, but I will say that my 7 year old child was sent home early to an empty house and I was told if they could not get a hold of the parent it was their policy to just send them home by the principle. The district office did not agree. My child's teacher was easily overwhelmed and could not seem to handle the class. The levels that this school is at compared to other schools my children have attended is very low. They expect very little from the students and with minimal work every child could earn straight A's.
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest daughter started VLE in 2007 towards the end of her first grade year. The teacher made the transition so easy. All the other students in class welcomed her as though she had been there all year! She then went on to attend her 2nd grade year here as well. Wonderful, wonderful school! Her second grade class did a Christmas play (A Mother Goose Christmas). My daughter is painfully shy, but this school did a wonderful job helping her to become more outgoing. She has excelled! The school is very secure and they have some good policies in place to protect their students. For example all transportation changes must be in writing, no call in changes. The check ID on anyone not familiar to them and verify their reason for visiting before that person is granted access to the school. As far as after school pick-up, it is very organized.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended VLE, and as a whole our family has had a great experience. The teachers and staff are friendly and preform there jobs excellent. I am glad to see the teachers and the assistants working toogether in a classroom for our children. It is very easy to get involved with your childs class. You get what you put in. Thank you VLE. Eric Mckerchie
--Submitted by a parent

I have a child in VLE and will soon have my other child there as well. VLE is wonderful. The teachers and staff are willing to do whatever they can to help your child not only learn the material being taught but to also fully understand the material. This is our 1st year in Vancleave and I know we will be here for a long time. My child has enjoyed the variety of activities and projects that are offered at VLE. She has also benefited from every program offered to her. I would highly recommend VLE to anyone!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended VLES, and we all LOVED it. There are a couple of teachers that, in my opinion, should go ahead and retire, but overall, the teachers are all great. The school was making it difficult for parents to be involved in activities at the school, especially eating lunch with your child, but they are now allowing parents to come. As for the parent who had to walk to the school to get the child, that shows how much the school is concerned with the safety of our children, since it states in the handbook that a note must be sent with the child if transportation changes. Vancleave, at times, seems to favor people who attend a certain church. But I don't believe that is true inside of this school. One thing that can improve is that the classes don't seem to have plays and stuff like that.
--Submitted by a parent

Vancleave Lower Elementary School is a top quality school, where students get a top-notch education. The caring Staff and teachers are very concious of the students needs. They monitor student's progress, are available for conferences, will listen to parent and child concerns, and do all in their power to promote a happy, structured environment for the students. The programs made available to the students, and the involvment of the community, speak highly of their effectivness. I give VLES an A+.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had a great experiance with my child attending school @ Vancleave Lower Elem. She enjoys her class as well as both of her teachers. They have been wonderful.
--Submitted by Deborah Ross, a parent

I have had children and grandchildren in each of the Vancleave schools since 1997. Vancleave Lower is one of the finest schools they have attended. The principals, teachers, and bus drivers are outstanding. They are all concerned about the students' education and safety at all times. I have not found one teacher that was not willing to work with us in any situation. I also have a grandchild(2ndgrade)that was lost the first day of school this year, she fell asleep on the bus and did not get off. Her family just moved here to the area and of course, her mother panicked. The school officials assured her that the child was on the correct bus and the driver would drop her back by her stop which he did. I was extremely pleased to see that she had a big name tag pinned on her(by her teacher)with her name, bus number, and address! Weappreciate each of you. Thanks so much.
--Submitted by Patsy Hiers, a parent

I have 2 children at VLES I am very pleased with the level of education my children are receiving, from the warm smiles to the respect of the teachers and staff it is an all around wonderful school! My children are 1st and 2nd graders and we are not christian and our values have never been compramised at this school, in fact when the children are learning about sharing and giving during holidays the teachers always ask my opinion as to what approach to take!These teachers have 25+ students in the room daily and have many needs to attend like ADD,Dicipline,allergies,asma, and so on...they do a wonderful job attending to every single child weather it be drying tears,wiping noses, making sure a child eats the right food,sending a child for meds! I know my children are safe when in the care of VLES, and are being well educated!
--Submitted by a parent