Patricia A Bendorf Elementary School

I really like this school. The high standards the pricipal has for the stundent and teachers is great, that means she cares about our childrens future. I have read some of the negative reviews and can't say I agree with them. Our children go to school to get and education not to play. These high standards will teach them the discipline they will need in the futre as well as work ethic. You have to perform well to succeed in life. Yes it would be nice to have more activities and educational feild trips but this is not the schools fault it is a funding issue.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible school. Oppressive tyrant of a principal. Stressed teachers and kids trying to get high test scores. Kids cannot run on playground for fear of liability and must cross arms and put hands over mouth during hallway walk. Walk - NO - RUN far away from this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is just the experience I have with my child's teacher whom I LOVE. She is an amazing kindergarten teacher and I hope there are more teachers like her in my child's education future. Unfortunately like all school's all teacher's are under paid and over worked. So, you will see both good and bad reviews but they depend on the person whose working with your child. I'd also like to add I've worked with the speech therapist at this school as well and she is very good as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Don't let the ratings fool you, the only thing this school has going for it is great CRT scores! Other than that is is a miserable place for children.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a GREAT school!!!! My granddaughter has attended Bendorf for the 3rd & 4th grade and she has gone from the teacher telling us that she needs to be held back(because the school she came from was so far behind) to getting A-B honor roll. She has an excellent teacher, an excellent music teacher, an excellent art teacher, and I am sure the PE teacher is also excellent. I love this school and I think CCSD should use this school as a model of what a excellent K-5 should be teaching and exposing students to. Proud grandparent of a Patricia A. Bendorf Student.

Hi, I'm a mom of 4 yr. old boy who needs special education and today I got a call from Early Childhood an they assigned him to this school just for the rest of the school year; is a little far from my home I live in Mountains Edge , but after read all of this I'm scared and not sure if they 'll help my child. Does somebody have any coment for this? Thanks.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has not been in this school for two years. I was curious when I received an automatice email today re: Bendorf. When purchasing a home, I overlooked several very nice opportunities due to the fact that I felt this was a terrible school. I agree with the parent who posted concerns in April of 2009.....my sincere comments are no longer posted here :) The teacher and Principal at this school were more than shocking to me as to how they behaved, even in front of me. My honor roll student was accused of being on prescription medications by her teacher after three weeks in her 3rd grade class. The obviously aggressiveness of this "strung-out" educator sent us away.

Hi. I have been in this school since kindergarten. All of my teachers have been very nice to me and helpful, but after I've graduated from that school, and went to LJHS it seems that the whole school has changed from fun and helpful to boring and uncaring. a few years ago, everything was all nice and now its like a prison. the principal was so nice and caring (and from what I've heard, they have a new principal) and now she has been mean and has also retired and her new successor is even worse.

My childeren has been at this school for 5 years now and during that time we have seen the school go from bad to worse. I have seen programs cut, good teachers leave and childeren treated like inmates in a prison. Dont get me wrong some childern are treated ok if they can make it on their own, but if your child needs any extra attention do not expect to get it. Bendorf has cut science, handwriting, PTO, Boy Scouts, Movie Night, scock hop, any and all field trips out of the school criculum and from what I have been told was to expect more to be cut. I understand that overall as parents we should expect a good education for our childern, but to what expence. Right now the only thing this school has going for it is good test scores, which is the schools only criculum.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my daughters first year at Bendorf. Ms. Moore is not very friendly. The office staff (all 2 of them) could give a care less in the world if you are standing there, they just look at you like you are inconveniencing them and you need to let them know what you want. My daughter had an awesome teacher the first few months, but then they wanted to switch her, they said, "to get everyone one the same reading level, in the same class." but they would never go further in detail. Her new teacher is very blah, she has no emotion and just really does not seem to care, and heaven forbid a 1st grader tattles. The teachers are rude to parents and talk to use like we are the kids. Transfer somewhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Bendorf since kindergarten and is now in 2nd grade. Her first grade teacher had discovered our daughter had dyslexsia and really went above and beyond our expectations of helping her and giving us many resources for our daughter to achieve. Mrs. Moore and the staff have been tremendous throughout the years and we have never had a negative experience. As parents, you need to be involved in your child's education, you cannot expect the school to do 'everything' for you.
—Submitted by a parent

From reading these comments from other parents I can only assume that this school has gone downhill in the last few years. It seems like the only positive comments were from long ago. I would have to agree. My child has attended this school for one year and I have not been impressed with the amount of growth that she has previously shown in a years worth of school. I have gone in and observed the class and I was shocked to find the teacher getting vocally frustrated with the students even while I was in the class. . The office staff is unbelievably rude and cold. The attitude of the staff and teachers alienates the parents from being more involved. I had high expectations after reading the scoring of this school on this website. I have been disappointed and I hope to have my child in another school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I expected more from this school after having reviewed their district accountability report. However, we received a teacher on her first year out of colllege that was very sweet, but very much in need of more classroom experience. There aren't any extracurricular activities offered at this school and the parental involvement is not what it should be. Overall I was saddened at what my son took away from his school year at Bendorf, we purchased a home zoned for Goolsby and are genuinely thrilled at that school's philosphy and dedication to the students.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a first grader going into second grade since we been at this school we have been very impressed with the teachers and the staff. The stuff my son has been learning is the stuff I wish I learned at his age.It really seems everybody that is involed with this school really cares about the students. Thank you Bendorf
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is on her last year at Bendorf. From day one,I have been impressed with Mrs Moore, and her staff. She should be commended for her outstanding leadership, and personal involvement. What principal do you know of that will call you after 8:30pm to discuss your daughter and how she might help? Cortney, has done extremely well under this administration. Ms Baldwin, another outstanding teacher, and Mrs Blinder,amazing. Two teachers that go beyond the call. We now have Mr Novak, who is known for pushing the kids and getting them ready for middle school. He is a dear man, who will have them ready. I only wish we could take the whole staff with us to middle school. If your child is at Bendorf, consider yourself lucky. They are safe, they are happy, and they are learning.
—Submitted by Terry Maalen, a parent

The Academics here are good to fair, level of parent involvement is poor. The teachers we've had here have been good, with higher levels of teaching mastery and experience. There are no extracurriculars here. The principal does a great job of introducing the kids to many different kinds of music and cultural differences.
—Submitted by Gina Acosta, a parent