Southwest Elementary School

I moved here 3 years ago and my oldest son has been going to Southwest for 2 years now. My son had the best teacher his first year there (3rd grade). She still helps my son even though he isn't in her class anymore. NOT this year, my sons teacher does not like him. She sends him to the office for tiny things and he will spend all day there. While missing important lessons in class. She drops a whole grade level for missing a period, or not capitalizing one word. Hes in 4th grade. It's ridiculous. There is no communication between her and I. And the administration takes her side every time without even knowing whats going on. There have been little comments about ADHD meds. My son does NOT need medicine. We have never had any complaints from his teacher until this year. And that's all she does is complain and make my son feel like an outcast. I cant say enough good things about some of the teachers at Southwest, but the one my son has is not suited to teach. She cant make any kind of connection with the kids. I really wish I could post the names of the excellent teachers we have found. They really deserve to have their names shouted from the rooftops.
—Submitted by a parent

We were satisfied with the school prior to the 2011-2012 school year. However, with the change in administration this year, we LOVE Southwest! We couldn't be happier with our children's progress this year, and the teachers they've had this year are phenomenal and really care about them. The staff and PTA work incredibly hard to promote a positive atmosphere for the kids, and they've succeeded in producing a fabulous year for the students.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! My child is in the fourth grade now. She started in the second grade. The number of students this year is much lower due to the new school opening. This change has been great. Since this school used to be a high school, there is a great auditorium and lockers for the children. The administration changed this year and is GREAT!
—Submitted by a parent

hi it's Casey Griffith, i used to go here. i now go to Morgan Elementary, but i want to say i miss the school. thanks. love, Casey

Great school. The teacher and staff REALLY care!! We could not ask for a better learning experience for our daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

This school works very hard with my daughter. They give her courage to accompished her school work.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed with this school. As I have walked my child down hallways all I can hear is teachers screaming at children to be quiet. The teacher's and principals cleary beat to their own drum with no regard to parents & their children. Am looking for a different school as we speak.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the BEST public school I have ever seen. Each student is part of the family. The school has a strong sense of community!
—Submitted by a parent

Southwest Elementary has incredible teachers!!
—Submitted by a parent

I read the reviews regarding SW Elementary and was very surprised to see the negative comments regarding this school. In my many years of experience, this school has been excellent. When my son went from Southwest to the middle school, I was shocked about the lack of communication. The teachers care about the students. We have two more years at Southwest and have high expectations for their continued success and my child's success. I just want to share one story about my son's third grade teacher. The students wrote a letter to themselves. In the letter, they were to discuss their friends, their likes and dislikes, etc. At the beginning of his senior year, he received a letter, the letter that he had written when he was in third grade. That is the kind of commitment all of the teachers have at SW.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a great experience with Southwest,except for one teacher, who is luckily no longer in the classroom setting. The teachers do a great job with communicating with the parents, via email and notes home. The 3rd/4th grade AG teacher is excellent and our child is motivated everyday to go to school. I would encourage all parents to take responsibility and not always 'wait' for the teacher to initiate the communication, but to be involved in their child's learning. Use online resources to know what is expected.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a daughter to go this school, who is now at Medolark, but I really love this school. The teachers are very good, and into the kids work. They respond immediately. This school rocks!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at Southwest for 3 years and we have had very positive experiences. He has had wonderful teachers from Kindergarten on up. The specials teachers are also wonderful dedicated professions. This is a great school and I believe the new principal will help make it even greater.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding teachers and staff. A real treat to find this many dedicated professionals.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter , molly miller , gets excellent grades there and comes home everyday smiling i highly recomend it for every child !
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend this school at all. The teachers are incredibly disrespectful to the students and also the parents who dare to question their teaching methods. The staff is very lax about communication and getting back to parents with concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to the area last year and enrolled our children at the school not having any previous information. I was slightly disturbed by the lack of communication between the staff and the parents. We came from a school where communication with parents was vital. This school does not have scheduled parent teacher conferences and you have to make special arrangements to meet with the teachers. Seems the school could be a little more proactive especially with children that may be lagging behind in specific areas like our child was. The teachers are required to teach all children the same way and there is no room for a student that is not learning the same way. The'tutoring' for the EOG is a joke!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at SouthWesst Elementary since the 2nd grade. She was previously at a school where they were truly treated like little soldiers and could not speak and had to walk with their fingers on their lips and hands on their hips. I have found that Southwest is very refreshing and my daughter has loved it there. My youngest daughter is getting ready to start Kindergarten this year and I have no doubts about sending her there as well. I did have a problem with a teacher and my daughter last year and called the principal. She called me back very promptly and scheduled a confereance with both of my daughters teachers, the principal and vp. I was very pleased with the outcome.
—Submitted by a parent

Think twice before enrolling your child at Southwest! My child has been there two years and the communication between The principal, the Guidance Counselor and the teachers (the ones my child has had) are terrible. They don't return calls or emails. I plan to move my child this upcoming school year!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year with Southwest and the experience has not been positive. The teacher(s) who my son are involved with treat him like an outcast. He never missed at his previous school, but finds 'sick symptoms' to avoid going to school. The no bullying policy is a joke. I just wish the administration would take a closer look at (some of) the teachers and their teaching methods. I did not know yelling at kids and punishing them if they spoke to an adult was a teaching method.
—Submitted by a parent