Scholls Heights Elementary School

Our family just recently moved to Beaverton. I enrolled my 5-year old daughter in swimming & gymnastics lessons locally. During these lessons I listen & ask mothers about local schools. I hear LOTS of negative comments about Scholls Heights. Mostly that it was once a fantastic school, but now it's not. Most of the moms stated that the school only wants & caters to exceptional or advanced students. If your child has any learning or social issues or just needs extra assistance...it won't happen at Scholls. Some were told they should transfer their child elsewhere (private institutions) or hire a tutor. This school is not accepting of all students.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had children at the school over the years and we have always been happy with the teachers and the education they are getting. I believe it is definitely above average for the area. The staff at the front office have always been exceptional and caring with any situation, I am shocked to hear otherwise as I have dealt with them as a parent and volunteer many, many times. They have been nothing but kind and helpful-. The principal, on the other hand, has her own agenda in my opinion and seems to care about it more than what is best for the kids. Changed the school ideals to what she wants whether the parents/kids like it or not as I have seen on numerous occasions. Very sad to see as we love the school and teachers, but would like to see a principal that is more concerned about our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent with kids going to Scholls Heights since 2007. I believe we have the best school staff that promotes a very healthy learning environment. When you factor in all the funding cuts and all the shuffling of staff and resources that is the result of budget cuts, you see that this school has still managed to thrive and excel. Can you imagine being a third grade teacher with a room full of 30 kids who have varying degrees of academic competency and you are responsible for keeping ALL of them meeting or exceeding grade level expectations? I love the spirit that our Scholls Heights teachers and parents have - they don't back down from a challenge, they support each other and rise to the occasion. I'm shocked to see the negative comments on this page and I'm quite sure most of these complaints are borne from the circumstances created by diminishing resources. Please don't paint the entire Scholls Heights community with the same brush; take a moment to step back and look at the big pictures. The front desk staff you criticize for being cold is not there just to sit and chat with you - they have a long 'to-do' list and expect that you are old enough to feed your own ego!!
—Submitted by a parent

The school may have great teachers, but the communication from the front desk couldn't be colder. We just signed on a house that will put us in this school's boundaries and I actually considered retracting our offer after a few emails and conversations with this school. Bummer when I'm coming from a very warm and fuzzy school (in same district) whose goal is to help families feel welcomed and wanted. I'm going to be at the school for a long time and hope it can become a friendlier school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has Mrs. Greenstein this year. She is a well organized teacher that is by the book. She has amazing control over her class and demands only the best from each and every student. Prior to our son being in her class, I reMy son has Mrs. Greenstein this year. She is a well-organized teacher that is by the book. She has amazing control over her class and demands only the best from each and every student. Prior to our son being in her class, I read a poor review about Mrs. Greenstein. In retrospect, it seemed that the review was less about her and more about the parent's student. We couldn't have asked for a better 1st grade teacher. The Principal seems to be everywhere all the time. She is involved with the children (very rare for a Principal) and has a good grip on what the teachers are doing. She is a great manager of the school. ad a poor review about Mrs. Greenstein. In retrospect, it seemed that the review was less about her and more about the parent's student. We couldn't have asked for a better 1st grade teacher. The Principal seems to be everywhere all the time. She is involved with the children and has a good grip on what the teachers are doing.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal is all talk. Can get anything done. Doesn't care about the parents! Lots of teachers that should have retired long ago! Gong down hill FAST!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

bad teachers! bad leadership! Lack of responsibility from Principal who favors certain people. Wish we had a choice! Lets get rid of the Unions!
—Submitted by a parent

Good school overall.... Not impressed with Mrs. Greenstein. I hope we've paid our dues, in respect, to having had a not so good teacher, and next year we will get a better one! Mrs. Wold was excellent! The Principal needs to stop worrying about the teachers--the teachers need to be thankful they have jobs--and start worrying about the KIDS. Obviously, the Principal is w/the Union and thus on side w/teachers, only. I think Principal is using this position as a stepping stone for career--not b/c she wants this position!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school in the Beaverton School District, better than local private schools. When we moved to the area from another section of Beaverton we removed our children from a Catholic school that we were happy with and placed them at Scholls. We couldn't have made a better choice. The learning environment is outstanding, the teachers are excellent and parents are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is excellent. My daughter loves to be in the school and has learnt a lot in terms of writing and reading in her first year in kindergarten. The teachers are excellent and the parent involvement is great. They are not only encouraged to be creative, but the teachers use various websites for Math and English to achieve academic success . Also I am very impressed with the discipline in kids while in class or outside in hallways.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child was in full day kindergarten in 2010 and it was a horrific experience. His teacher told one child who was crying that "kindergarteners don't cry." This child spoke limited English so it was doubly distressing to hear her say this to him. A lot of nitpicking, overlooked students who didn't do their work correctly and nagged other students who took longer because they weren't cheating. I understand that she is no longer teaching there so perhaps it will be a better experience. The front desk staff are also abrupt and unapproachable. Especially annoying when I was volunteering my time to help out! Other teachers may be better, we left after kindergarten so I can't attest to the rest of the academic staff. The full day kinder teacher we had is no longer there.
—Submitted by a parent

We were disappointed with this first year our child was in attendance at Scholls Heights. During conferences the teacher told us what our child had accomplished, but on some things we had our doubts. When we questioned our child, there was no knowledge as to what we were talking about. Naturally we went back to the teacher to express our concerns & she became very defensive. We weren t trying to attack her teaching, merely expressing concern that our child may not be with the rest of the class. This scenario repeated itself a couple more times throughout the school year. Parent/Teacher relationships are very important & all parties need to have the student s best interest in mind. We, unfortunately, did not have this and ended the school year feeling our child had not been valued and had been left behind as you so often hear in a negative way in regards to public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are excellent, they are passionate about teaching. We could hardly get our boy to write more than a sentence, but his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lawrence, got him interested in writing, now he is keeping a journal and enjoy writing a brief summary of what he read. The principal is usually standing outside (rain or shine) before and after school to give kids a high five as they enter and leave school.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are terrible.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids transfered from another school in the district and I can't even begin to describe the difference. Its like night and day! My son has learned and improved more in the few months we have been here than he did the entrire time he was at his old school. The teachers here are simply the best and genuinely care about the kids. Too bad there are not more schools like Scholls Heights out there...
—Submitted by a parent

As a father who concerned for the safety, well being and educational facility for my children, we have been very happy with the progress of our kids as compared to when they were in the Bay Area. The school's programs are excellent, and I agreed in general teachers and parents involvement are wonderful and very supportive. The teachers' quality are not consistent, however, but in general, I would rate this school a 10.
—Submitted by a parent

This is definitely the premier school in the Beaverton School District. The teachers genuine passion for teaching combined with the outpouring of parent envolvement make Scholls Heights the best! You will find nothing but top quality teachers here. I can't say enough about how awesome this school really is!!
—Submitted by a parent

We bought a home in this school district based on the reviews and am I ever glad we did! My children absolutely love Scholls Heights and are getting a quality education from teachers who absolutely love what they do! The music program is wonderful - my 4th grader is learning how to play the Violin in school. My Kindergartner has learned alot considering he only goes for 2 1/2 hours a day! Quality, quality, quality! The parent involvement is exceedingly high. With 3 children, we've been in 4 other elementary schools within the US, and this has been our best experience yet!
—Submitted by Kathy, a parent

This is an amazing school! I can't say enough good things about Scholls Heights. The teachers are wonderful, and the parents are a huge support. This school is the best of the best!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at this school since it opened and am sad this is our last year. The overall atmosphere, learning enviornment and cooperation amoungst parents and staff is unbelievably positive. Our parent involvement has been the highest in the district, which shows you how much parents love their school. This is Jeanne's last year as principal and we are extremely sad, as she has set the tone and made our school what it is today.
—Submitted by a parent