Brookside Elementary School

I Think Brookside is an excellent school and I am very pleased with the principal and the teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Brookside is a wonderful school for the children. The current principal is very good with the children, always trying to improve. Programs are always available to students (but with limitations of students getting in). Teachers are young and enthusiastic and willing to work with you. Children learn skills to move onto the Jr. High and I think it is great prep. I never liked 'no mark ups for spelling', but under the new principal Spelling is being looked at much closer... more improvments are sure to follow.
--Submitted by a parent

Brookside has a new principal as of July 1, 2007. His leadership has changed the school greatly. The school is much more academic focused. The music department influence in the school has also been cut back. The focus of this school is now on teaching the children not making artsy book reports and other projects. There are many great teachers and some very poor ones at Brookside. Receiving a Star School award a few years back has allowed a few teachers think that they run the school. The open classroom setting of no walls and 75 students in a huge classroom reminds one of the failed attempts at this form of education in the 1970s. The new principal needs to clean out these teachers which will improve overall teacher morale. Overall Brookside is a great school. The new principal is always available to work with students and parents. The whole school district is working very hard to improve its academic performance.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible setup for academics right out the gate, even though the administration claims all the groups are equal. Virtually no homework is given it was impossible to check progress, teachers were unavailable for extra help or feedback to parents. Only when there was a problem i.e. comprehension, was a parent notified. If homework was given, progress could be followed. Too many involved artsy projects, not enough focus on math basics. The math program used was very confusing. Too much focus on socializing and trips. Principal was not available, concerns were ignored and parents made to feel as though they were a nuisance. We are considering switching to parochial school for next year.
--Submitted by a parent

Too much focus on the music program which only caters to kids with talent rather than teaching the children who actually need help. Academics fall by the wayside. The teachers seem to want to entertain the children, not teach them. Parent involvement is discouraged, not in words but in action. It's Star school status was earned more than six years ago, but it's not a Star school by any means.
--Submitted by a parent

Too many art oriented curriculum projects. Good caring teachers Little or no parent involvement
--Submitted by a parent

Great environment, curriculum and staff. We are very pleased with the quality of education.
--Submitted by a parent

I have one child at Brookside. It thrills me to see how she has become confident and organized. The teachers have been nothing but great. Brookside truly is a star school!
--Submitted by a parent