River Bend Elementary School

River Bend Elementary is an excellent school. I am surprised by the negative comments about the school and teachers, but not surprised that people have commented that this school is strict. River Bend as a whole is bit more strict that some elementary schools, but with that being said the kids are held to very high standards and they achieve them! If you go into many other schools in the county the hallways are very loud, the classroom is very loud and so unorganized that you have to wonder how any children area actually learning. River Bend is full of excellent teachers who love the children they teach, and all teachers are highly qualified to teach in their content areas. At River Bend kids are taught that there is a time for fun and play at school, and there is a time to be academically focused. Kids learn this, and are rewarded for their good behavior. The teachers plan fun hands on activities for the kids, but also do a lot of assessments and test to help them figure out what kids need extra help. Many rooms have 4 or more computers, a smartboard for interactive learning, testing remotes, flat screen TV s, document cameras and more. River Bend is a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

My son went here for Kindergarten. When he started having educational and behavioral issues because of ADHD my husband and I wanted to work witht he teacher to assist him and her to make a better learning environment. At first the teacher said it was too late in the school year and there was nothing that could be done. We discovered that this was not true. She was either ignorant of the services in her own school or simply lazy. As far as we could see she (nor the 1st grade teacher) ever put any of the action plan steps in place (the school came up with them not us). I hated the overly strict environment and the feeling that it was a prison and not an ELEMENTARY school. I was so happy when we were informed that my son would be going to a magnet school-so worth the extra effort!
--Submitted by a teacher

My grandson has been in this school for 3 years now. It's really been a great school. All the teachers are very hard workers( except a problem with the fourth grade teacher). Everyone I have had to deal with are very nice and helpful. I can't comment on the pricipal since I haven't had any contact. But my grandson really likes her. Rules are rules which help protect our children. as long as you follow them its ok. I will surely be sad when he leaves this school. Just hope he goes toi a middle school just like this one.

this school has been plagued by incredibly high turnover since day one. When parents like me ask office staff or administrators, we are only told that Mr. or Mrs. ___ has left to "pursue other opportunities." Yet, when we ask other teachers, off the record, they describe this school as a "house of horrors" to work in, and that the principal is the root cause for all of the turnover. Over the past 5 years, River Bend has seen some great teachers (and a phenominal administrator - Mr. Pond, as mentioned below) leave to go elsewhere, yet because the principal is "connected" politically, nothing will ever change. I personally know of serveral parents, me included, who have tried to talk to WCPSS about the principal, yet she, and her dictatorial leadership, remain the status quo at River Bend. The high turnover and low morale is harmful to our children, but WCPSS just doesn't seem to care.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a rising 3rd grader I would have to give the school very high marks . I have been impressed with the high quality of leadership that has been displayed in the school. I appreciate that Dr. Hart is strict and has a vision for excellence and we should all expect no less. Keep up the good work.
--Submitted by a parent

I placed a comment on this site and I do not see it. I want to inform the community of how unprofessional the principal and assistant principal are when it comes to speaking to their staff. I have never worked at a job where I felt so uncomfortable because the staff was disrespectful to each other. The school is dictatorship not a democracy. Staff members do not work as a team to better serve the students, they do everything for self gratification.
--Submitted by a teacher

Unfornately, I can't agree with the others who said positive things. In my opinion the admosphere is challenged and not friendly and many of the staff members displayed very unprofessional attitudes.
--Submitted by a parent

With my 2 youngest still going through River Bend now after 3 years, I still contend that this is a wonderful school filled with fantastic teachers who really go that extra mile for their students. I was sad to learn that we have lost Mr. Pond for another institution and feel that the Administration is still too stern & rigid for an elementary school setting. The new school is still taking some getting used to, but is too cool. I'm really glad that all of the children are out of the modular. My only other concern is that while having given my child's teacher & the administration staff a review from his pediatrician that he is ADHD, we still have not received any indication that they have attempted to work any kind of plan or assistance for him in his school day.
--Submitted by a parent

Is this where Dr. Lois Hart is the principal? If so, I would like to followup on some rather negative comments. I taught under Dr. Hart for 10 of my 28 years. She has been the most outstanding principal I have ever worked with. Yes, she was a strict principal, but I knew that if I did my job well, I would not have any problems. However, woe be unto teachers who do not do their jobs well. Why do you think River Bend has so many outstanding teachers? I taught severe and profound mentally handicapped students. Dr. Hart often came into my room and interacted with my kids; she ate lunch with them. She supported me 100%. She is very quiet but don't mistake that for not caring. She's top notch and I really admire her.
--Submitted by a teacher

I love River Bend. The staff is great and they go out of there way to make learning fun for the kids. The school has a very diverse student makeup and the teachers do a great job to make sure every students grows as a learner.
--Submitted by a parent