Ward Elementary School

This is a wonderful school. Especially the 5th grade "wing," it totally ROCKS! Great communication and collaboration between teachers. Lots of student support from Administrators and the Guidance Counselor (who is especially wonderful), an onsite before and after school program managed by the YMCA, plus the school itself is relatively new and is very clean and appealing. The school is always in "ship shape" and is very organized. They have a great art program, computer lab, and physical education program. They also have multiple playgrounds, tracks, fields, and the location of the school is private yet very safe. Caring, responsive teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

So glad this is my child's last year. There s a severe lack of communication with teachers and administrators and has been for years. You never know what s going on, they send menus home in the middle of the month or not at all, they deny your child the right to eat if they don't have money in their account but they don't let you know it is low or out, teachers yell at kids a lot, when you go in the school office it is like you are invisible because no one looks up and when they finally do--more like when you go stand directly in front of them and clear your throat to give them a hint--you are made to feel like you are bothering them in the office. The principal doesn t answer calls and you definitely can't reach teachers because they can't take calls (parents are told to email them), and they in general have no control over the kids. There is a lot of bullying at this school and all you are told is how they suspended the bullies. When you ask about communication like what is going on--pictures, events, etc.--you are told these things are "supposed" to be sent home every Tuesday but usually you get nothing.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! I have read some of the other posts and I am very disappointed that people would post such negative statements about the educators that work so hard to educate your kids. I volunteer in the school several times a week and this is a great school! I have to wonder if the parents that posted such negative reviews come in and assist the teachers in helping their own kids or do they just sit back and constantly complain? Education is a hard job and it has been very eye opening to me to see what happens each day in the lives of our children. My kids have made tremendous progress. I have been kept well informed of the all the activities taking place within the school. This is a wonderful place and I hope you will visit to see the great things taking place.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school with excellent teachers and adminstrators. I have 3 children there and all 3 have grown so much in there academics. I am thrilled to have them in such a safe and caring environment.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 1 child who has been at Ward for 2 years. I am growing more and more disappointed every day in the school. There have been multiple times that the teacher forgets to send home or email important information i.e. homework sheets. My child failed an important health screening at the beginning of the year and I was not notified at all by the nursing staff. The staff there isn't friendly either, i visit the school and am never greeted in the office when I come in, if I want someones attention I just have to stand directly in front of their desk until they decide to acknowledge me.
--Submitted by a parent

I have three children at Ward and the name of the school fits. The day my husband and I walked into the school, at least a dozen staff and or faculty walked by and did not speak to us. If I had to do it over, I would have turned around and walked out the door. One of the assistant principals acknowledged there was a problem with the friendliness of the staff. If the administration of the school acknowledges there is an issue, how do you think they are treating the kids? My children have been miserable since they have been attending this school. I have been thoroughly disappointed by the staff at this school and would not recommend it to anyone. If you want to feel comfortable with leaving your children, Ward is not the school for you. The unfriendliness has saturated the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Ward Elementary school for two years and they have been miserable the entire time. The staff is not friendly or welcoming. The primary focus is not on the child's learning, rather it is knit-picking a chid and brow-beating him/her into submission. There is no tolerance at this school for children's unique individuality. There is absolutely no talking at anytime, even during recess. The saddest part is the assistant principals side with teachers and do not believe students or parents when confronted about particular needs not being met. The principal even agreed that this school has issues with the staff being kind. Do not send your kids to this school. Our children will be home-schooled to undue the damage Ward has inflicted on them.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending this school ,And I do not regret it one bit. This school is wonderful and to all concern your children will get just what they need here.
--Submitted by a parent

I picked Ward Elementary for my child (now a first grader). The teachers at Ward are fantastic! The parental involvement is astounding as well. I really feel like I made the best move for my child by enrolling him at Ward. I look forward to many more wonderful years at Ward Elementary!
--Submitted by Allison Gaither, a parent

We have had 4 children at Ward and have been very pleased. The principal and guidance counselors have gone out of their way to meet our family's needs. From what we've seen, if your child has special needs, they will do every thing in their power to accomodate. With just a few minor exceptions, the teachers have been excellent. The physical education program is wonderful as are the art and music programs. My kids have participated in the unicycle club before school, and chess club after school. The teachers seem a little overconcerned about end of grade testing, but I think this is the same everywhere these days.
--Submitted by a parent