Canandaigua Primary School

I love Canandaigua Primary School, because I have two daughters, one of which has some learning challenges. Her teacher and the entire staff go to great measures to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which my daughter feels safe and supported through her time of difficulty. They are very helpful and literally at times take her by the hand and guide her through her tasks at hand allowing her to stay on task. The staff is amazing.
--Submitted by a parent

Odyssey of the Mind is offered from K-2 as well. My second grader is currently enrolled and loves it. He also does an online blog related to Author's intents as well as math lab enrichment
--Submitted by a parent

There is a new principal who started September 2008. Reviews prior to that date refer to the previous principal.
--Submitted by a parent

My child started there this year. The teacher is great. The other children seem to be very friendly, but the principal and staff leave much to be desired. They simply aren't very friendly or polite.
--Submitted by a parent

Accommodations for bright students are inadequate at the Primary level. For example, Odyssey of the Mind program is only offered for grade 3 and up. Look elsewhere to give your gifted child the best start. I also concur with the August 12th parent post regarding administration and communication at the administrative level in the Primary school.
--Submitted by a parent

Canandaigua Primary School is a very large school. However, class size is small and student/teacher ratio is great! The academic program is fantastic. My child learned so much in Kindergarten. Parent involvement is very high - the PTA is extremely strong. The administration in this school leaves a lot to be desired, though. We feel that our child suffers from the lack of leadership from the principal. There is also a HUGE lack of communication between school and home. There are many extracurricular activities.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are wonderful, class size is small, parents are involved in the classroom. They even celebrate half-birthdays for those children whose regular birthdays do not fall within the school year. Parents are encouraged to volunteer, to communicate with teachers, and are kept in the loop, this school will not shut you out of your child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

All my children did the K/1 combined program. It worked out great for them. School is new to them, and the big advantage was that they had the same teacher for 2 years. This teacher knows your child's strenghts and weaknessess. The class was extremely well organized. They could group the kids in more personized groups for reading and math, so kids are taught exactly at their ability. (advanced aswell as below) They also had one extra teacher, so the ratio changed to the kid's advantage. The parent's involvement is high. The current reading/math program puts a lot of pressure on the teachers, and some take that out on their students.
--Submitted by a parent

our daughter was in kindergarten last year in a k/1 class. She excelled, and had fun doing so. We are very happy with the teachers and all the people that help out at school, they are very special.I know it was her first year, but if thats a sign of things to come then we are blessed. I have heard so many great comments about Canandaigua Schools ,k-12, and look forward to getting more involved with our daughters academic adventure. More parents should take the time to thank the teachers and people involved at the school. They work very hard and are dedicated to our kids.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is blossoming in Kindergarten this year. She is in an extended K-1 classroom and will remain in this classroom next year. Since she was younger than average when she started, I think it was the best decision to have her included in this program. Her teacher is very involved with her students and calls to report progress or problems regularly.
--Submitted by a parent