Carpenter Elementary School

We have been at Carpenter for a little over 2 years now and we are VERY happy here. My children are challenged and the teachers hold high expectations for academic work and behavior. Carpenter has the feeling of a "community school" as everyone is friendly. It is very normal to see the Principal and Assistant Principal out and about in the hallways and classrooms...always smiling and greeting the children, parents, and visitors. The front office staff is very helpful and attentive. Carpenter seems to have a diverse and worldly population. "Camp Chameleon" is an incredible outdoor classroom. The children are well supervised throughout the day. The Media Center Teacher is amazing and an absolutely phenomenal educator. I know other schools have "higher" test scores but my children have thrived at Carpenter (upper and lower grades) due to the teachers challenging them. The PTA has a lot of fun and always welcomes new parents into planning and participating throughout the year.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Carpenter for almost 6 years now and ALL three of our children have thrived both academically and socially. They have also received wonderful emotional support from all the staff at Carpenter. We could not have asked for more from this school. The teachers our children have had each year have truly had their best individual interests at heart for each one of the students. I witness this first hand on a weekly basis x5+ years. I hope we will continue to have the positive support we have to keep Carpenter the great school it is now and has been. Also, I want to mention that all of my children's teachers have always gone above and beyond to keep us informed as well as address any concerns, questions we have had right away. I highly recommend Carpenter Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been extremely happy at Carpenter for the past two years. The kindergarten and first grade teachers on track 3 are incredible! They love and treat their students with respect while challenging them academically. They also have wonderful communication with parents and let me get involved. My children love going to school each day and have learned so much. Other teachers and staff know their names and share stories with me when they see me in carpool, in the hallway or at school events. My children are happy and have grown so much while at Carpenter in so many ways. We could have chosen a closer school to home with a very good reputation as well, but heard such wonderful things about Carpenter and they have all been true and more. We couldn t imagine ever leaving Carpenter if things run as perfect as they have in our first two years.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not manage children with disabilities well. There is no nurse there. The secretary gives all medication and she is not extensively knowledgeable. My son's kindergarten teacher doesn't communicate to other teacher's that my son has asthma and requires special needs. This causes teachers to neglect him when he is experiencing pain and can't breath which happened at least three times in a month. Also, I am already having to drive him back and forth to school because the bus comes so late some days that he arrives one hour after school is dismissed because his bus group is stuck in the cafeteria waiting for a bus to deliver one group of children and then come back for the rest. I am hoping that the next few weeks will be better for my child with special needs because I can't do anything about how the faculty treats my child at the school when I am not at the school. I have already had to remove his medication from school. In addition, the teacher is now starting to treat my son negatively different.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school. Think the staff is great and the Outdoor Science Center is a great resource!
—Submitted by a parent

After being at carpenter for five years, the choice plan finally gave me a way out. The school is not the worse but it is not the quality of learning environment I seek for my two kids. I have a child that is graduating this year and I question the preparation this school provided for the middle school years. This has prompted my family to pull my second child out going into second next year. overall, I have to agree with the comment that mentioned the lower grades provided a better quality of education at this school than the upper grades. Some of the teachers are great but there are many more that lack motivation. Technology is not really encouraged or used by the teachers. Most of the teachers don't have websites or lack the technology know how.
—Submitted by a parent

The school's PTA and core group of volunteers are working hard to make this a great school.There are some WONDERFUL teachers there that are offset by many uninspired ones. I hope it improves.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really shocked at some of the responses below. Carpenter is an excellent school with an extremely active PTA. I have nothing but great things to say about our years here. Our teachers have been excellent and very caring. I can email my child's teacher at any time and get a quick response. My child's teacher does has a website and sends home a regular newsletter along with emails, etc. There are so many opportunities to get involved with the PTA, school library, classrooms, etc. I believe that if you get involved, you will learn about all the amazing things this school has to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Carpenter. The principal, office staff, librarian, teachers make this a great place for kids. I help out in the classes, have lunch with my kids, and have always left with a smile on my face. Its great to see the kids in a challenging learning environment. I recommend Carpenter! Get involved and help where needed. An hour a month can show you how great this place really is.
—Submitted by a parent

The people that gave 5 stars to carpenter , I think they only know one side of the school. If thier child continue staying over there, they will find out the truth eventually.
—Submitted by a parent

From kindergarten to third grade is fine. This is my last year for my daughter fifth grade student at carpenter. The fifth grade is more diaster than forth grade. Compare to other nearby school .Teacher at fifth and forth grade not responsive and do nothing about the student academic.... Nothing need to mention more about their teacher quality, attitute and so. That's why there're no more track 3 at carpenter on forth & fifth grade because the school such a diaster. The parent don't want to put their kid at the higher grade. Think about it before you you put kid through this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent. My son love this school. I have nothing but good things to say about carpenter elementary. The teachers are all, as far as I know, great, they seem to work as a team, the academic standard is high
—Submitted by a parent

Three of my grandchildren attend this wonderful school. They all love their teacher s and are proud of their school. Their parents are also happy with the school and it is one reason they live in the neighborhood. I also live there in the Winter so have visited all of their classes to help out and I'm impressed with the quality of teaching they are getting.

My daughter is in her 2nd year at Carpenter. Her first grade teacher is wonderful as was her Kindergarten teacher. The office staff has always been very friendly and helpful. The cafeteria is spotless and the school seems to be efficiently run. We have had and continue to have a great experience. However, with the current diversity policy I was dismayed to see this year that my child was the only caucasian female in her class. We will probably switch tracks to ensure there is at least one other child in her class who is a peer. As things are now she currently has no friends in her classroom as each "group" plays only with members of their own race. So, socially not a great year although things are great academically.
—Submitted by a parent

My child no longer attends this school, we transferred to get out of there! After attending 4 years I can honestly say she had one great year, one good year and the other 2 were just horrible. The teachers were lazy, children were not held accountable for their actions, the office staff was rude, if they were present or even acknowledged the presence of the visitors. I personally don't expect them to "serve" me like I'm ordering fast food--- I expect them to protect the children and make it safe for them. If parents can get past the office without even a hello, unwanted visitors could as well. The principal and teachers want to just smooth things over, without really doing anything to solve issues that your child might encounter. I am glad we were able to transfer, best thing we could have done for our child! I do feel sorry for the kids that are still there.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the fifth year for my daughter. The current teaher is lazy, not responsive. Every week newsletter just copy and paste. Her's teacher just flow out the work to them to finished it at certain time and doesn't explain how to do it. If anyone can't finish it, just hand out a paper for parent to sign it and not explain anything. Overall, don't let your's child stuck in that school.

We are in our third year at Carpenter and couldn't be happier. I think the school is really going through some great changes this year. We've had wonderful, caring teachers and found the rest of the staff to be supportive. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Based on my 4 years of having kids here, this school is outstanding in ever way. Some of the negativity I've read in these reviews is very subjective and unfair. Especially taking one specific experience or one "undesirable" teacher and generalizing that they are all bad. Concerning the office staff - they are not a fast food window where someone is always there at the desk to "serve" you. All the Wake Co schools are understaffed due to budget cuts. Let's be more understanding about that, ths is public school, not private. They sometimes have to step away to use the bathroom, or help another staff member who may be doing the job of two. I really like everyone in the front office, they are never anything but pleasant to me. The principal Mrs. Brown is wonderful, I feel lucky to have her overseeing my kids education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in the school and have noticed great improvement this year. The principal is knowlegeable and professional and the staff follows suit. My children have a love of learning and are getting a great education at Carpenter Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent

Front office staff is unfriendly and sometimes not even present to greet visitors upon their arrival. Some teachers seem to just toss information out to their students and 'hope' they catch on. Homework assigned is not even close to challenging. They seem to 'teach to' the EOG and aren't really concerned with re-enforcing basic concepts that would strengthen the child's understanding of subjects. The Principal is very uncaring, when presented with real problems, she will stand by her teachers no matter how a child may be suffering. They will tell you how they don't tolerate certain behavior (bullying, aggression, stealing) but basically your child will be left to fend for themselves.
—Submitted by a parent