Jim Thorpe Elementary School

My son attended kindergarten in 2011 with Mrs. Lee. At first everything seemed ok at orientation but lacking an overview of what to expect for the year. We (parents) signed up to help in class, met the teacher and brought snacks for the students. As the year went on, we began to dislike what we saw. The teach did not watch our son on many occasions as we found him in the park after school (5 yrs old). No behavior cards given on many of the days. We were never asked to participate in class with the kids and we never seen anyone helping the teacher. She seldom came and picked up the kids waiting in the morning as other teachers assisted. No direction with homework (copies from a book) so that we can help our child. Many other comments but in summary be alert and attentive to the teacher you get at any school not just at Thorpe.
--Submitted by a parent

I DONT CARE FOR THIS SCHOOL BECAUSE MY SON HAS AUTISM AND TTHEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES. THE TEACHERS SEEM ANGRY AND THE THERAPISTS HAVE THAT NONCHALANT ATTITUDE TO PROVIDE THE KIDS WITH THE SERVICES ESPECIALLY THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST. THEY DON'T HAVE THE SENSE OF URGENCY WITH THE KIDS. THE TEACHERS RATHER TALK YOU OUT OF GETTING AN AIDE FOR THE BUS THAN HELP. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE BUS DRIVER WHILE DRIVING ABOUT EIGHT DISABLED CHILDREN WHO EITHER CAN'T SPEAK, WALK, ETC; I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT NECESSARY FOR THESE KIDS TO HAVE AN AIDE. I AM REMOVING HIM FROM THIS SCHOOL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT TIME HE GET SICK AND TAKE HIM TO THE WRONG ADDRESS.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school and there never ending focus on the children, and the way that every question put to the office staff is answered effectively and swiftly
--Submitted by a parent

i love this school!!! it has great teachers!!!! great office staff!!! and a great pta group!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I really like this school. The office staff has become more helpful and relaxed as the year has progressed. However, the Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ward should be commended for excellence. My daughter has done nothing but excelled in her class, and she started 6 weeks into the year because we moved. Bravo for Mrs. Ward to keep a strong student education going even though she has 26 students in her class! I would recommend her to anyone entering K. Only down side to the Kind. Program is the drop off for the kids in PM Kindergarten, but that is the fault of the parents, not the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Everything is a problem at this school I cant stand the office staff they are very rude
--Submitted by a parent

My children both went to Jim Thorpe for K-2 and loved it. The office staff is super helpfull and I never experienced a bad teacher. My boys loved going to school and I was proud to tell others that I was in the PTA. The vice principle, Mrs. Vernon, is wonderful and the principle, Dr. Domingues, is just as great! Keep up the great work!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended K-2 here and did wonderful. The teachers and administration were A+ ! I had worried about public school in Nevada but was very pleased with Jim Thorpe.
--Submitted by a parent

As a grandparent of a child in Mrs. Austin's first grade, and as a veteran teacher of 38 years, I feel qualified to write this review! Mrs. Austin has welcomed me in her classroom several times. I get to hear each child read and I also get to read to them. I was there in October and again in May. The improvement in the reading of all of the children was not only obvious but impressive. The children are proud learners; they feel good about themselves. When I get to read to them, they are attentive listeners;they have been well trained and they know that learning is important and fun. Mrs. Austin is a teacher who reinforces children positively, whether it is the classroom or the lunch line. She rewards good behavior,thereby dimishishing unfavorable behavior. I am thrilled that my granddaughter attends Jim Thorpe; the school is a happy place, overall!
--Submitted by Mary Shepherd, a parent

Our teacher doris von kleeck is the most fabulous teacher we have ever had! autism is a delicate balance of understanding, hope and love. Children are fortunate to have parents who enjoy this challenge. Teachers, like ms. Doris, jeanne, shari, all of them work together as such an amazing, creative team. As parents, we are in awe of them and can't imagine life without their love and support. Wonderful art projects that encourage hands on pride. Children that are not typical often require additional supervision with most all activities. This school has embraced our son. His muscles are weak throughout his body and he has autism. He has been taught to read, learn numbers in math problems, months of the year, days of the week, use sissors and glue. Our son is 5 1/2 years old and just started kindergarten. He had pre-k with ms. Doris as well. Unbelievalbejob, fabulousunderstanding, besteverstaff!
--Submitted by Elizabeth Grabo, a parent