Estes M McDoniel Elementary School

We moved to this neighborhood just for this school when our son was in 3rd.We knew we would work with him to get him up to speed in spanish but the principal said they would help us.Then she left and we were left with the vp - so in the spring we needed help and the next 2 years we asked for help, we did not get any. We asked for tutoring help, direction or names and were told "he would get it automatically". When our straight A student started the 5th grade with a D in math, we were told "not every child succeeds at everything" we believe that is why America is failing - don't address a math teacher who should not be teaching this grade (we spent days in the classroom watching). Every time we tried to get help, we were told "he is fine". As parents of an adopted child whom we have spent many hours and dollars figuring out, we knew he was not fine. Due to our experience he is not going to middle school in the CCSD. We are using the on-line program K-12. His A's are back, his frustration is reduced and we do not have 4 hours of homework every night because teachers do not have time to teach in the classroom of 30 kids - 15 with learning issues (my kid included)
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers, the bilingual curriculum from K-5, the wonderful Walk-About Nights, the extra-curricular activities.

I love this school. I have gotten to know the teachers, students, staff and parents because I have a student there and substitute teach there. I am a licensed teacher myself and know that the teachers are giving so much to the kids. The office is great! The school is well managed, has tons of parent involvement, many extracurricular activities, etc. The spanish program is great, there is a marine lab with a seperate science teacher as part of all of the students' specials. There is a watchdog dad program that allows dads to be at the school all day patroling and helping. There are wonderful teachers and programs for children with special needs as well. Students come from all over to attend this school and they have several students on zone variances, including my daughter. I can't say enough about this school!
--Submitted by a parent

Estes Mc Doniel is a fabulous school. The teachers and staff are wonderful.The parents that volunteer are well appreciated . The dual language program gives our students an edge. I am so glad to be apart of this amazing school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been amazing for my little boy. When he arrived in the second grade I was having real difficulties at home and he was affected by that. Thanks to his 2nd grade teacher, Ms Gorter, he has been totally transformed. Thank you!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I've been a parent at the school since 2002, and have seen it change from a 2.5 hr K program in English (all grades getting 1-2 hrs of Spanish/wk), to an all-day K, dual-language program with Spanish for math & science and English for reading & other subjects. I have had two children go through McDoniel and I've been with two principals. My older child had a wonderful experience at Estes for K-5, and I moved here for Estes. My second child has been in the dual-language program since K, and I can see a big difference in the reading ability, math and overall depth of knowledge in all subject areas. My children are both 'high-achieving', so I can only surmise that the dual-language program is the reason.
--Submitted by a parent

Estes McDoniel is a wonderful school. We moved to the area after hearing about the school and it was the best decision I could have made. After 2 years of attending the school, we were sad to leave. The office staff is wonderful and caring and gets to know the children, and the teachers work with the students to reach their highest potential. The PTA is wonderful, the parental involvement is great, and the extra-curricular activities are the best. I especially loved how resources are available to help children with special needs, whether they are advanced and need to be challenged, or they are struggling and need to be helped. The Spanish program can not be beat. If you want a school that cares about kids, is serious about education, and has amazing volunteer and extracurricular opportunities, McDoniel is the school for you!
--Submitted by a parent

Thank you very much. I was made to feel like I was the only one that had a problem with the staff. I, unfortuantely, can't volunteer due to working - I wished I could to keep more of an eye on everything. The staff is very quick to point the finger when a problem arrises and refuses to admit or confront problems about one of their own. My child has been made to feel like everything he does is wrong, but it's ok for others. He's also scolded for telling when he's being bothered or hurt. I've tried giving this school the benefit of the dounbt for these 2 years. But I'm done. This is ridiculous.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately this school is too caught up in themselves to really care about the students. Teachers when confronted with a question seem to be defensive rather than working with the parents and making it better for the student. My child has been there for 3 years and it's changed greatly from the first year that my child attended. Unfortunantely it has changed for the worse.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here from Prescott AZ & thought Anna would have a hard time with the move & the teachers & staff made it so great. Anna has always needed extra help in reading & math & they just took control of the matter.She will be moving on to middle school & I will miss all the teachers & staff that have made our familys life so great for 2 years. We Love You All.
--Submitted by Tina White, a parent