Olive Chapel Elementary School

I wish this website would update the reviews. The only poor reviews are from years ago, and I've had a great experience - so have many of the parents I talk to. The teachers my child has are wonderful, and the others I've met through volunteer work are involved and motivated. Even our bus driver is top-notch. The Walking School Bus, Family Marathon, and Landlubbers club offer incentives for the kids to stay healthy and active, there are many opportunities for students to work on literacy skills, and our teachers at least are open to tailoring educational needs to the individual child's skill level. We moved here for this school, and we have not been disappointed.
--Submitted by a parent

We switched from a small private school with a 6:1 student teacher ratio and I am just as pleased with the quality of education at OCE as the private school. Also, the discipline and organization are even better! My children are now learning to take responsiblity for their work. My only disappointment is the school lunches which is a Wake County issue and not an OCE choice.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started kindergarten in OCE in 07-08. We like the school. She is happy and well-instructed. She is motivated to do well. The school offers loads of parent involvement, from being able to visit your child for lunch, to the more elaborate Artapalooz event. I think the school does its job. I don't know if she is challenged academically, but she is just in Kindergarten! Actually I'd like to see her have a bit more 'play' time, but I know that isn't possible. The teachers seem qualified, and my daughter likes her Kindergarten teacher. I like the year-round schedule.
--Submitted by a parent

I am so happy with OCE! It is a year-round school. We are in Track 2. My daughter is in 1st grade and we feel so blessed to have such an amazing teacher! Thank you OCE!
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with OCE, my son is in the 2nd grade and has been with this school since k. My son is also ADHD, Sensory Integration Disorder, the teachers have been well prepared, and I have donated numerous books to the school to help with the overall adjustment to each level year. He has performed well, and the teachers have all been super informative on communication logs. The school is well organized as well, I have never had an instance in which I have been disappointed, the staff are all well informed and the transistion to year round has been wonderful. I expected so much worse, but have been pleasently surprised.
--Submitted by a parent

My son just started Kindergaren at OC -- he's loving every minute of it. The staff seems well-prepared for the new year-round schedule, and his teachers are really on the ball with excellent communication and leadership. The principal and her staff have been friendly and professional. Overall, my wife and I are very pleased with OC and look forward to many excellent years of participation.
--Submitted by a parent

Olive Chapel leadership is poor. The teachers are struggling to adapt to the new schedule and the quality of education is declining. Wake County Schools are a mess. There is no continuity
--Submitted by a teacher

Our daughter started kindergarten 06-07 school year and her teacher team -Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Crighton are amazing. I was so impressed by their organization (newsletter goes home every Fri with so many details of their week, family projects to complete 4 times a year, Mother's Day Tea, and lots more.) Parent involvement is encouraged. Two field trips per year. The school is beautiful with a brand new playground this year! The PTA is really involved as well, funding many great initiatives. The gym has a climbing wall for PE. The principle, Melissa Burns, is very attentive and calls once a week with automated phone updates and reminders. I love this school and am so very impressed with it, they are moving to a year round calander this coming year, but I know that the level of caring and organization in this school will carry us through this change!
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! A beautiful facility and great teachers. Our child is in 1st grade and we have been thrilled. The work is challenging and engaging. The also offer AG-type classes for advanced students as early as Kindergarten. A few too many trailers for our liking, but overall we have been very pleased with our experience.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a clean and well maintained school. However the education is not very good. My children are learning skills that 1-2 grade levels behind. Their teachers pile on the homework but none of it is very helpful---it's mostly just 'busy work'. They definitely 'teach to the test' and considering NC is ranked 49th in the nation for education, that doesn't say much! Also the AG identification doesn't start until 4th grade, and what they offer students is minimal. Overall I am disappointed in the quality of the education at this school.
--Submitted by a parent