Brassfield Elementary School

My children attended Brassfield for a short time. Although the school is academically sound, the methods of discipline are questionable at best. I had two children attending, one of them in second grade. In the second grade class if a child did something wrong they were made to pick a stick and walk 5 laps around a track as punishment. Not only was this type of discipline way off track since my daughter has asythma and it creates a risk for her health, but it creates a strongly negative environment for the children. As parents, I feel it is important for us to participate with our children, especially on field trips. However, at Brassfield on two of the field trips that my wife and I were eager to attend with our son, we were informed that parents were not allowed to come. We got the distinct feeling that the school was trying to exercise a level of control over our children that did not make us comfortable as parents. Most schools I have had experience with welcome any opportunity to have parents as chaperones and to assist on field trips. Our children are in a different school now and are very happy even though it doesn't have a 10 rating.
--Submitted by a parent

The aforementioned principal is no longer with our school, the new principal is so wonderful and actually sends a broadcast voicemail every Sunday to update parents on what's going on in the coming week. She even hand wrote congratulations notes on both of my children's report cards. She must have done that for every child?! That means so much to them. There are a couple of teachers who have bad reputations, but for such a large school with four tracks that's pretty good. We could afford to send our children to private school but love this school so much we don't see the point. Like a previous reviewer said, the parents and families are truly wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great kids, great parents. They do a great job teaching the kids, and when you watch the kids enter the school, the kids are happy kids. The parents are mostly all smiles too! The curriculum is challenging and if your child isn't being challenged, then they'll look at how to meet your child's needs.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the best school I have ever seen. The teachers are great and accomodate students to their needs as well as their abilities. My son is very smart and they have done a wonderful job pushing him to his best and putting him in AG classes. Great school and I am very pleased and happy with everything. they are a little on the strict side but again that's why they are doing so good.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school and most of the teachers are simply excellent. Unfortunately the most recent principal Dr. Pamela Kinsey-Barker is completely out of touch. She is difficult to deal with and more concerned with the politics of the central office than the success of the children. Until she breaks this school and is eventually removed the students will suffer.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a son with Special Needs and so were very careful in our selection of where we would live based on the school in the area. Reading a review and seeing a 9 out of 10 is great yet there is still a concern on if the school will really live up to the hype or not. I can say, without reservations, that Brassfield is one of the top schools i have ever had the opportunity to work with. My wife and I have fought many battles with schools in another part of the country to get that school to adhere to the IEP that is in place. Wakefield not only excelled at meeting his IEP yet also put processes in place that we did not even expect or think of. I cannot recommend this school more. Great teachers with a Princple that always has her door open with fantastic leadership. 11 out of 10
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of two kids in third and fourth grade. I find this school to be excellent. The teachers are very caring.
--Submitted by a parent

My husband and I feel very lucky that Brassfield is our neighborhood school, which was one of the reasons we moved into the neighborhood. The school has a great reputation for it's educational ratings and staff, the parents and teachers are very involved with the student's everyday needs and home life, and the school has a very diverse student body. But, most importantly, the other day I was in the carpool line in the morning to drop off my 3rd and 5th grader, and my 5th grader said, 'I'm so glad I go to Brassfield' and my 3rd grader said, 'Me too.'. Enough said.
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love Brassfield Elementary School. It is such a wonderful school, with excellent teachers, and the best students. The education is great and the opportunities that are endless at Brassfield. The parents are also magnificant and volunteer and help out whenever needed. My boys love Brassfield, and love going to school everyday!
--Submitted by a parent

Our son attended this school when it became year-round. I heard very positive feedback about the school from my son's previous school. My son had an IEP in place. The team at Brassfield has embraced him. I have a strong team in place with all the resources available. They are dedicated to his success and it is easy to advocate for him. They are compassionate and willing to help, offer advice and support. I am in regular communications with my team. However, I am the type of parent that wants this type of relationship. It has been easy to feel supported. My son's IEP main teacher is his lifeline to catching up in school and staying on track. The PTA is very active and proactive in raising funds for the school. For example, they submitted the largest amount of box-tops of any school in NC last year.
--Submitted by a parent