Clinton Elementary

Our son started first grade today. We are so happy to be part of the Clinton community. This school has great teachers and a dedicated and responsive principal. The school very much reflects the values of the Clintonville community -- diversity, inclusiveness, creativity, hard work and good humor.
—Submitted by a parent

We loved Clinton and will miss it dearly. My son just finished fifth grade at Clinton and I think I cried at every event the last two weeks of the school year. It was emotional for a number of reasons. Even though the physical building is being renovated, the love, desire and commitment of the staff, parents and students was just as strong on Hubbard Ave. The programs they create for the children are memorable ones. The teachers care about the success of your student. It is a family that our family will miss.
—Submitted by a parent

Not too happy with teacher this year....my daughter came home crying often, not wanting to sleep at night because she didn't want to go to school. She kept saying her teacher was mean to her. I talked to a few parents and they told me no wonder my daughter feels this way, the teacher is a drill sargeant. They told me at this school, I should always request who I want as a teacher for my kids because only half of them really care. I just prayed my daughters days would get better & I'm praying next year she will be with a teacher she can relate to and feel good about. I am not sure which are the better teachers so I just hope she ends up with someone good. The principal just blows you off if you have an issue and she lets everyone know your personal business so I am not very comfortable speaking with her.
—Submitted by a parent

Clinton Elementary is a lovely school filled with engaged parents, kind and committed teachers, and a fabulous principal that will insure your child's education & emotional needs are being met. I have 2 sons that attend Clinton (entering 1st & 2nd grade.) Kindergarten teachers are gentle and encouraging. They continued to challenge both my boys and allowed them to progress through the curriculum in areas in which they excelled...and took time with them in areas that needed extra attention. Principal Leffler is outstanding! She presented options/solutions that I would not even known existed. With her leadership she has allowed my oldest son to stay with his peer group, yet continue on with advanced grade curriculum to challenge him academically and support him emotionally/socially. Clinton truly is a Great Place to Grow!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is entering second grade at Clinton next year and we have been delighted with her education. She is challenged and supported---and above all, happy and safe. Clinton is a neighborhood school--a gem where kids of all kinds learn together and feel a real sense of community. It's very reflective of Clintonville as a whole--respectful, caring and family-oriented. Parents, one of the best parts of Clinton for us has been the instant community we, as adults, have found with the parents of our children's friends. What amazing people!
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled with Clinton for our kindergartener and will be following the whole crew down to Hubbard during the renovation. I've seen the plans and this will be a lovely school when it's renovated--the physical plant will match the quality of my child's experience this year. One of the commenters said that it's a family at Clinton and I could not agree more! And above all, my daughter is learning happily with great kids and great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Very active caring community driven school with a special dedication to children with special needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Great principal, teachers, parents , and kids. Every day after school is like a party on the playground with all the parents mingeling and the kids playing. My 3rd grader loves it and is getting a great education.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is beginning his second year at Clinton Elementary, entering 1st grade. My wife and I both hold PhDs and work at OSU--many other parents of Clinton students have similar educational and professional backgrounds. While we believe strongly in the value of a public school education, we carefully considered several several private schools before settling on Clinton Elementary. Our decisions was made on the basis of recommendations from other parents/colleagues and the school's fine reputation. Our son's time in kindergarden was a remarkable introduction to the educational experience. His teacher, deeply gifted and dedicated to her students, awakened in him a love of learning and a strong enthusiasm for school--most days he can't wait to get to the classroom. Could a parent ask for more than that? The principle, too, is outstanding. Clinton attracts excellent teachers because the best teachers want to work with her.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Clinton for 3 years now and absolutely loves it. He enjoys all of the teachers and I enjoy how much the school reminds me of the one I went to as a child (which was in a small country town in northern Ohio). You really couldn't ask for a better school to bring your child to.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in the 4th grade in Clinton Elementary and we love this school. They have excellent teachers that work hard to educate the kids and rating of academic excellence on their state grade card. They have a great arts program with an excellent music teacher, many of her students are going to the Ohio Honors Choir Camp this summer. They have an awesome art class and plenty of after school/lunch/recess clubs and activities: Science Club, Baton Club, Girl Scouts, Daiseys,Destination Imagination, Scrap Booking Club, Art Club, Chess Club, Gardening, and many others. The PTA is one of the strongest I have ever seen and fund many activities at the school as well as supplying books, playground equip., field trip busses. The PTA also supports many family activities at the school: Family Fun Night, Ice Cream Social, Movie Night, Wellness Wed, The Columbus Zoo. You couldn't get much better.
—Submitted by a parent

Someone posted about Clinton and said there wasn't much in the way of 'the arts'. I beg to differ. In suburban schools, like Upper Arlington, children do receive music twice per week and art for an hour. However, what is the quality of the program? And is there a choir offered? Here at Clinton, we have a high quality Kodaly Certificated Music Teacher. While she only sees classes once per week, they are packed with cross-curricular teaching and the students actually read music by second grade. There are two choirs, It must be worthwhile if there are 60 kids involved who give up recess time and come before and after school to practice. There are about 10 performances per year, including a musical. Band and strings are offered and art class is 1 hour.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is a great neighborhood school. All the adults, from the principal to the teachers to the instructional aides, go above and beyond for their students. And fortunately there's a new secretary this year! Yes, more 'extras' would be great, but Clinton Elem. does a great job with the resources it has. We are thrilled with the education our children are receiving. Clinton provides a wonderful environment for children.
—Submitted by a parent

The school itself is wonderful and the academics are great although they should have a little more money so the kids can experience more programs and activities. The staff is not professional as a whole and I've wondered quite a few times why the secretary still has a job. She is rude and she and other staff seem to not like kids at all. It is clear more staff than not are there for a paycheck not to go over and beyond for our precious children. The school lunches are horrible as in the cold food is too frozen to eat/drink and the hot food is also cold. I feel truly bad for any child having to eat lunch here as they eat off of a truck due to no cafeteria. It gets very hot in that school but the only air conditioners are in the offices.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a son in his second year at Clinton. His kindergarten experience was good: he learned to read, he loved his teacher, he made friends. Enrollments are high, and there isn't much in the way of arts and extra-curricular activities, but the basics are strong. The principal is an excellent leader, and she seems to hire good teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids currently enrolled here. And my third child will be starting next year. The teacher's are all great. They go way out of their way to make sure the kids are getting the education they need. Parent involvement is wonderful. Everybody I've came across at the school genuinely cares about all the children who attend this excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

All 3 of my sons have gone here or are currently enrolled and I am so blessed to have them here. The parent envolvement is beyond words and the teachers are wonderful and always available if needed.
—Submitted by a parent

My children all attended Clinton, and I have been very satisfied with the education they received. The teachers are knowledgeable and caring, and parent involvement is incredible. To those people who consider leaving CPS for suburban schools, but don't want to leave Clintonville, Clinton is a wonderful choice.
—Submitted by a parent

Clinton Elementary is a good school. There have been many positive reviews. My kids really like it there and are doing beautifully. There grades are really good.
—Submitted by a parent

Clinton Elementary is a fabulous school! Three of our 4 children have attended Clinton and our 4th should start in the fall. We open enroll to this school. We have found this school to have wonderful teachers and a friendly staff. We, as parents, follow up with work and encouragement at home. Parental involvement is large. It's very much a community school with a small town feel in a large city school district. The extracurricular activities are fun and keep our children excited about going to school. If you are a parent getting ready to choose a school, definitely take a look at Clinton Elementary.
—Submitted by Heidi Kauffman, a parent