West Lake Elementary School

The new principal is awesome. He is always approachable! He will bring the school back to the top in the next 5 years! Teachers are just a few very good:((((
—Submitted by a parent

It starts at the top. The new principle is awesome. He is not afraid to run laps with the kids, read to them during story time, institute creative incentive programs, work with the parents, listen.. it trickles down throughout the school to everyone working there and it shows. You can have the most fancy school and if the leadership stinks, the school will stink. I would not hestitate to recommend this school and am happy my kids are here.
—Submitted by a parent

West lake is a great school with strong parent/ teacher involvement. Teachers and principal value parent- teacher communications.
—Submitted by a parent

2011-12 was a turn around for this school Greater energy and positive vision since the new Principal came to WLE.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school, I think the principal has a great staff and teaching staff. We moved to the area and our children have transitioned very well. The curriculum over all is very good and the teaching staff is very responsive to student needs and assesments.
—Submitted by a parent

The turn around that this school has seen in just one year is heartening. Our new principal is caring, decisive and open to allowing the PTA and parents to participate and share their talents with the school community. As more parents share their time and talent this school will grow to greatness.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a first grader at WLES and this is his second year at the school. He has been challenged and educated beyond my expecations for his age, has had wonderful, dedicated teachers and is excelling both socially and academically. I too think the office staff is rather 'cold' but I believe all other complaints that I've read can be mostly attributed to the school system and not the school itself. If you feel it is overcrowded or don't like being moved from different tracks -- that's a school system issue. The curriculum is also mandaded at that level and then executed by the teachers. And for those comlaining about discipline, would you rather the opposite? I don't want my child's education disrupted by kids who can't behave themselves. If that means teachers have to assume some control and disicpline -- better off for all right?
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at West Lake and we LOVE it!! We have not had any trouble at all! Maybe if parents took care of disciplining their children at home, they would act properly at school and take the duties of reprimanding off of the teachers. I think the WLES staff do an incredible job.
—Submitted by a parent

We are unhappy with this school. The front office staff wasn't informative or welcoming. The teachers my daughter has dealt with have unfairly reprimanded her or didn't meet the needs of my daughter. I agree with the other post, they seem to focus more on discipline than teaching. Silent lunches are one of the ways the children are punished. Both of our kids will not be attending this school after the year is up.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school. My child is happy and is in with a good group of kids. The teachers and administration work hard to meet the needs of everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so overcrowded! Its ridiculous! Most of the time is spent reprimanding kids rather than learning! My kids will not be going back next year. I'm putting them in private school. I think its sad that in order for our kids to get a good education we have to pay for private school on top of paying our taxes for public school! Makes me sick.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very unhappy with the school. The principal and administration very unhelpful. Had questions for principal will only respond in e-mail. My children always loved school and now hate going. We are looking into pulling them out this year and putting them into private school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school does not have a sense of community....maybe it's a track issue, I'm not sure. But it is lacking that. Also, the teachers seem more concerned with kids talking than with teaching. The curriculum seems ok...but the teacher delivery is not. This school needs quality teachers who actually want to be there and teach their class. Our family is looking into other options for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My children like the school and are progressing well. Most of the teacher's are great. We find some of the administrative staff to be rather cold. When we've had questions or concerns, we feel as if they perceive us to be ignorant and/or unimportant. We think the school would have better parent participation if the parents felt as if they were heard and what they had to say mattered. This year, we will keep our children there but we may start looking into private schools for next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great but stability is an issue. We were on track one but now are being forced to more to track three. There is nothing we can do about it, and were told next year we could be switched to a different track if needed. We are looking into others schools.
—Submitted by a parent

We will be completing our 1st year at WLES and it has been a great experience. Our teachers try to really get the parents involved as much as they can in the classroom and we are well informed on what's happening, with old and new curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed. We are moving to a new district. Nice principal, bad learning environment. I do not like the curriculum here at all.
—Submitted by a parent

Have not had the best experience so far- but do like the school and child enjoys. Dislikes - Administration seems to be very aloof and non responsive to parent/student concerns. Make sure you stay on top of any concern you may have as it can fall by the wayside. Likes - Great environment for our child. We did have new teacher start in middle of year and very happy with change so far.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been extremely happy here for four years. The teachers are exceptional and very dedicated to the success of their students. Work is challenging and the school teaches responsibility and accountability to students. Couldn't ask for much more!
—Submitted by a parent

Not very happy with the school. I don't see a lot of parental involvement and the school is VERY VERY crowded. Too many children in a classroom.
—Submitted by a parent