John R Lawrence Elementary School

My grandaughters attended JLE as new students for the 2010-2011 year. I greatly admire Dr. Woody and the complete staff. They all care about the kids as individuals and are always ready to help and answer questions. This is a GREAT school.

We have a unique situation in that due to my health my daughter is living with my parents for this school year, while I am in Colorado. My daughter has just begun so my review is limited at this point. However, here in Colorado it is very difficult to have communication directly with the teacher. Everything has to go through the office and then be passed on to the teacher. My daughter's teacher has a direct extension at the school and has gone above and beyond by providing her home and cell phone number. Her teacher is aware that my daughter is under a great deal of stress trying to be a 'big girl' while handling the seperation, attending a new school, and the homework that she is not accustomed to. In Colorado they believe that homework is a hinderance to the parents; therefore, it is not required.
—Submitted by a parent

I would say that this school is average at best. It is all about teaching to a test , something you hear about all year. Half of my daughters third grade year involved bringing home worksheet after worksheet that were supposed to help with the EOG. It is already the second week and I am already hearing all about the EOG tests. It is very disenchanting! The biggest emphasis at John Lawrence is about attendance and test scores. They do nothing to foster the love of learning. They have very few extracurricular activities. The teachers last year were great but the principal could not stop talking about how we should never miss school. I know that school is important but every time I went to an assembly or parent night that was the majority of his speech. I moved to this area specifically because of this school and I am disappointed. I think that we have lost our way when we teach our kids that we are successful when we pass a test. Not to nurture them as childrens and help the kids find the love of leaning within themselves. I must say that the biggest bright spot at school is the P.E. teacher Mr. Warden. My kids loved him and learned a lot in his class and he did a great job teaching them to believe in themselves. I bet if none of the teachers had to teach to the test than they would be a whole lot more like Mr. Warden.
—Submitted by a parent

Thus far in this new school system, I have been impressed with the commitment to getting things done and getting them done through sharing responsibility and communication. Thumbs up from me and my boys!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a C.I.S. volunteer and grandmother. The personnel/staff at JLE are very helpful and appreciative of volunteers.

We love John Lawrence Elementary. Everyone there (teachers, staff, principal, etc.) is great. It is one of highest ranked schools in the Triad. When we were moving to this area, we researched schools and JLE is the reason we live where we do. We don't regret coming here at all.
—Submitted by a parent

My children were in the Guilford County schools and were doing great but when we moved to Randolph county I realized they actually had to study to keep up their A and AB honor roll statis. The school we were at was not as 'tough' and challenging. We have been here at John R. Lawrence now for 5 years and I don't think I could have picked a better school. Everyone, from the office workers to the cafateria workers to the volunteers to the teachers, is wonderful and willing to help the kids with any type of problem.
—Submitted by Vicki, a parent