McKay Elementary School

+ s: Small student body volunteer involvement - s:class size too large when over 25% ESL students attend, they receive title 10 money. The 2nd & 3rd grades are combined; still class size is 22 or more with one teacher. Plans are made to meet each students learning level but there was a recent attempt to decrease class time instruction so teachers could have more planning time. Some teachers have no insight on how they come across to students or parents or maybe are not concerned about it. At a parent teacher conference the instructor showed us a list and stated "this is what I am responsible to cover this year." So if the child is ready for more? We are taking responsibility to ensure our child isn't behind by middle school. This year regular homework assignments were discontinued (last year is wasn't being turned in). That's a poor solution and it doesn't prepare our kids. Site council meetings are held during the mid afternoon so working parents can't attend. Overall I like the school, but I would like see better communication with parents, attention to key learning skills and a way for families to give respectful feedback regularly (there is a end of year survey currently).
--Submitted by a parent

great school, teachers my daughter loves going there and tells me everyday somenthing new that she learn....
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids in McKay. We have had a total of 5 different teachers in our time here so far. Every teacher has been great. When I ask a question, want to help or just want to chat about how our kids are doing, they have always given me their full attention. They are also very receptive to new ideas. I also find the principal easily approachable and receptive to new ideas.
--Submitted by Eric, a parent

The report cards seem clinical, like they were copy and pasted on every student's comments section. That's impersonal to me. What about the individual student? I get the crank out the machine vibe.
--Submitted by a parent

To me, the staff at this School has been split. Some of them have been very helpfull and go out of their way...others seem very snooty and put out by even the simplest request. I like the Teachers...The support staff could go!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has great success becuase of extraordinary parent volunteers. Parents are older and participate in all activities, where as younger parents might not. The PTA is very strong in this school. McKay tested strong on report cards the last couple years and had some of the top scores across the nation.
--Submitted by a parent

I pulled my child from this school after 60 days - these teachers are not pleasent teachers. They force fit eduction and communiceat 0 with the parents. When a parent actually wants to get involved they become abrasive and even resentful toward the child. BEWARE!
--Submitted by a parent