Northwoods Elementary School

This is our base school and I was hesitant when we started for Kindergarten but my expectations have been exceeded above and beyond. The teaching staff is awesome! we've had 3 different principles over the years but that hasn't impacted the quality of teachers or staff ( the AP has been successful in keeping all of that stable- to her credit). The PTA is awesome and very involved. Parents are very much involved in the school and it is appreciated and encouraged.
—Submitted by a parent

I can tell you my child spent two years at this school in special ed. and it was awful. They had the mentality that my child should be locked in a classroom in the back of the school and never get to go to the playground, the cafeteria, assemblies and anything social. My child can't talk so they were able to hide many things from me. It took me weeks to put things together and get an accurate picture and when I did all they did was bring in senior admin people to fight a lawsuit. We ended up getting private evaluations done and it clearly showed how poorly performing my child's teachers were. Avoid at all costs.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been at Northwoods for 7 years now, and I've never been more excited about the opportunities for my children's education. Many new clubs, science fair, as well as positive classroom experiences has made NW a great choice for our family. The NW community is welcoming and sincere. The staff keeps getting stronger and stronger. My last child is starting K and I expect her to have the best experience yet at NW!
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is a great school .this is my daughters second year and they love it. Staff and teachers are friendly. I am pleased with the education my daughters is getting here.
—Submitted by a parent

I was cautious about going to our base school because I had not heard good things. However our experience over the last 2 years has been EXCELLENT. My child has HF autism and the resource and regular ed staff are wonderful. The former principal went to bat for all the resources needed for my son to be successful at Northwoods. The principal has changed however the new principal appears to have the same values and goals as the last principal so the transition has been smooth. So far we love it there.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is no longer the school it was 6 years ago. The teachers are all fantastic, and the administration is young, vibrant and heading in the right direction. The school has a very active PTA, and the parents, when they can be, are very involved in school activities. Also, every classroom has up to date technology in the classroom, and there is a large fleet of SmartBoards that children use daily. Awesome school.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is an outstanding school! It is a home like atmosphere where children feel loved and safe. The principals are very visable and involved with all of the children. Dr. Chisnall has brought a lot of new technology to Northwoods, which has also benefited my son's education. Overall, I could not be more pleased. My son is getting a quality education and the confidence he needs to succeed in life!
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is a very nuturing, positive enviornment. I am very impressed with the staff. The communication from the teachers and from the office is outstanding. I am always aware of events and assignments. Great place to send your kids!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Morrisville in Aug. 2010. My daughters love there new school. they felt very welcome. The teachers and staff are great and friendly
—Submitted by a parent

Great school!! Thank you to all the staff of this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

Because of my Board of Ed experience in my home community and also due to my extensive coaching high school varsity athletics I feel can critique Northwoods. From Mary Swann down to the Head Custodian Shawn I am convinced that this school is being efficiently and professionally administrated. The teachers and classrooms are impressively prepared and the parent-teacher relationships are most creditable. Northwoods meets or exceeds all learning needs and is a definite credit to both Cary and Wake County. M. V. McNamara

We moved from the other side of Cary because our child had been assigned to 3 schools in 3 years. This is our first year at Northwoods and we love it. The school has more diversity then other schools in Cary so the base students never get reassigned like the rest of Cary. The teachers are great. Our teacher this year was more attentive with us and our child then at any of the other three Cary schools. The principal seems friendly. The PTA had the same programs our other schools had and there was no fighting over who could have volunteer time. The PTA makes room for all parents without being clique. Our child especially loves the GT teacher and the wonderful projects the GT teacher puts together for the kids. At our other schools the kids who were ahead were given extra work to do outside unattended in the hallway, the kids taught themselves. At Northwoods the GT teacher makes sure all the kids who are ahead have work on their level and she leads them through the work. I also have a friend whose child is in the AU room and she says the AU teacher is the best !!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Our 2 kids started mid-year after coming from out of state. We were pleased with the level of attention given to students here. It's clear that education and moral fiber are both important here - thanks to the faculty and staff of this greatly diverse school.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is a really great schools. they have really nice teachers too.
—Submitted by a student

Northwoods New Principal is not very good. She has facilitated the lowering of services to many children that receive educational services. She refuses to allow other children who are ahead in subjects to receive instruction in upper classes. The teachers are great, the parents are involved but the leadership of the school is again an issue.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods has been a great place for our kids. We don't want to move from the Northwoods district because the teachers the boys have had actually care. They have gone the extra mile to encourage and inspire our kids. The kids are motivated to learn and do not like to miss a day of class. The teachers keep the parents informed and challenge our kids everyday. Northwoods has been a blessing to our family.
—Submitted by a parent

Three of our children have attended Northwoods Elementary from K-5th grades. We have found the quality of the academic program to be excellent. The teachers overall are caring and well qualified. Parental involvement is very high and the PTA does a wonderful job. Extracurricular activities are somewhat limited, except for an incredible 5th grade chorus (Northstar) that consistently outshines most choruses throughout the entire Wake County school system.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has quite a few excellent, experienced teachers, especially in grades K-2. There also seems to be good camaraderie among the teachers. The PTA is very involved in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a college student majoring in elementary education, about to graduate and looking for a job in North Carolina. I recently attended the Wake County Job Fair. I approached the Northwoods Elementary table because I had attended the school as a child and so had my little brother. I was unpleased to find the principal disinterested not only in finding fresh teachers but in providing general information about the school overall. He really didn't seem to have much to say about the school and was not at all enthusiastic. If this were any reflection on the school I wouldn't put my child there OR teach there.
—Submitted by a parent

A mixed bag of teachers -- a few good, many average, and a few lousy (clock punchers). Most are uninspiring to the students. The lackadaisical attitude seems to flow from the top down. The principal is hardly responsive, and seems uninvolved.
—Submitted by a parent