East Clayton Elementary School

Be prepared to teach your child much of the lessons at home! The school as a whole does a good job managing the day to day activities and make an effort to teach the kids good fundamentals, but more than a few of the teachers seem unable to keep up with a fast paced curriculum. In 2 years we have seen much favortism for the staff's children, in terms of looking the other way when they feel they can bully the other kids. If your child does not fit inside the "box" there is little help or support. If your child has any issues with other children and/or staff, everyone is too busy to help. Unfortunatey we have had to move around the last couple of years and my kids have been in multiple schools, but ECES has by far the least amount of support for struggling students and parents who are trying to adapt. We have tried multiple times to reach out for help for certain issues our kids had struggled with from time to time only to be tossed a side and ignored, this includes the principal. We are not needy people by any means but when are kids needed help at school we couldn't be there for them and quickly realized the staff wasn't either. Heartbreaking experience thus far.
--Submitted by a parent

I would venture to say that East Clayton Elementary is one of the best public elementary schools in the country. As an education professional, I couldn't be more pleased that my sons attend East Clayton. The staff is kind, attentive, professional, and they hold extremely high academic expectations for the students. Teachers encourage parent participation, and they always respond quickly to phone calls and emails. Take a tour of the school and you will feel the positive tone that Patty Whittington, the principal, has set for the building. It is a shame that there are reviews from 2006 on this website, because they do not reflect the current staff and climate at East Clayton.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the school because they take your child's education very seriously. If there are any issues they help in anyway they can to address it or make sure you child gets the assistance they need.
--Submitted by a parent

exceptional teachers and staff, feeling of concern for students, and their safety, individual attention given to students, relationship between teachers and parents/custodians.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my children have attended East Clayton since we relocated here 4 years ago.. definitely has improved since Mrs.Whittington,Principal and Mrs Carpanter Asst Principal have taken the reins three years ago. Respect and Character are two of the many traits shown at ECES by the staff and the student body. Parent involvement is awesome and welcomed.!! They never made me or my children feel anything but welcomed. Outstanding programs such as Drama and Student Government are a first at an elementary level along with Strings,Chorus and Green Kids.. These teachers work tirelessly to provide the best education possible for all the students and you can tell by visiting the school and looking into the faces of the kids.. they love to be there.. Thank you isn't enough for all the wonderful teaching experiences my kids have had. Ellen Kealey
--Submitted by a parent

East Clayton was my childs first school and we were extremely cautious about starting her b/c of her late birthday. We decided to start her that year and have been pleased ever since. The teachers and most staff are approachable and accomodating. Parent involvement in the students classroom and anywhere in the school is encouraged. I used to complain about the amount of fundraising but after being at a different school (in the North where the taxes are huge) it is the same no matter where you go. In comparison with her present school in the North where parent involvement in the classroom is prohibited and parents are prevented from having lunch with their children, East Clayton is decidely a great school. My child was there before Powhatan opened and after. Yes, there were long lines to bathroom, playgrounds,lunch prior to the split but after the school ran much smoother.
--Submitted by a parent

Note to parents: Please consider the date associated with all comments and keep in mind that poor scores from the PAST drag down the overall score respectively. It's not a true reflection of TODAY'S climate and leadership. The over crowding issues and previous principal left when Powhatan Elem (the new school) opened at the start of the 2008-2009 school year. Today's ECES principal is kind, responsive and on target. $ requests are still there but this isn't a school issue as much as a district issue.
--Submitted by a parent

With the school splitting, I feared negative changes. I am very happy with the experiences my child has had thus far. I would not have said the same last year. My child was in first grade. I volunteered many times and was not comfortable with conversations I overheard between my child's teacher and the TA. W and B disrespected fellow staff and other parents. I cannot even imagine what they said about me when I was not there! I prayed that this year would be better and I am excited to report that it is! Fewer children means less stress, shorter lunch lines, quieter hallways and shorter car lines!
--Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier with East Clayton. The teachers are great. My child really enjoys attending the school and is excelling in his studies.
--Submitted by a parent

The best school ever, I really do not know what everyone is complaining about, because I always felt save when I dropped my son of during his Kindergarten year, he learned so much during his year at East Clayton, that he is way ahead of his classmates here on the West Coast, at least there I did'nt have to worry about my child being bullied and about bad supervision during recess and about my child being urinated on during school hours. That is why I say, East Clayton Elementary is great, the staff and teachers are wonderful, because you can feel comfortable about leaving your child at school after you have dropped him off. The school that my son is attending now is a joke in comparison to East Clayton Elementary. Be Happy with what you have, because it can be much worse, trust me.
--Submitted by a parent