Columbus Elementary School

My son attends Columbus Elementary. At the end of last year, he started having a hard time going to school. He became very nervous and afraid to go. We weren't sure what was going on, but his teacher and the principle were VERY helpful and kind. They took my son under their wings and went above and beyond to help him out. I was very impressed and thankful. I think this school is great. There's a lot of caring teachers and admin's and they do great with what and how they teach the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great but the principle has a few screws loose. Mr.Svec is my daughters 5th grade teacher and we couldn't be happier with him.
—Submitted by a parent

my son has special physical needs and the school goes above and beyond their requirements to see that my son gets what he needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome teachers and staff, great kids, fabulous principal. Everyone working their hardest to help our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

because it has the best teachers and my daughter feels at home there!
—Submitted by a parent

Everyone is so helpful and willing to help our children. The teachers go the extra mile and have great passion for teaching. They are so many great programs and opportunties for the kids to be in. I really really love our school and am grateful that my kids go to such a wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is on the way up. We've had a change of leadership in the past year with a Principal who is animated, caring and expects the best from every student. The PTA works hard to provide funding for all the necessary school field trips and supplies for the teachers and also fits in some neat programs like the 1 Book, 2 Book, Old Book, New Book used book sale. They've been doing this for four years now and every year each student gets a free book-before the sale even opens. New playground equipment is being installed this summer-after much fundraising over the past 5 years-and the PTA is paying for it all. The teachers are great and I hope this year will not prove to be too stressful with all the cuts to staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have attended Columbus since 1st Grade and are going into 5th Grade this year (2008). I think the staff, principal and teachers are all very nice. The PTA meetings dates are always in your child Wednesday folder + on the large sign at the entrance into the school. I have attended a few PTA meetings and everyone is very friendly & inviting + they offer free child care. My kids love the school and love attending school.
—Submitted by a parent

Columbus Elementary in McMinnville needs major improvement. Parking, and pickup times are chaotic. It is downright ridiculous. The PTA/PTO does not encourage parents to participate, half the time they don't even let parents know the date and times for the meetings. There are not many friendly people teaching these kids in this school. Most of the kids that I have talked to that attend this school already hate school! Not Good!!! Their equipment is way older than the school, many dangerous toys, mostly all toys with metal bars. The principal is, at best, unfriendly if not outright cold most of the time. The test scores are pretty good overall, however that come at the sacrifice of kids really loving school, their teachers, and learning. If you can go somewhere other than Columbus, I highly recommend it!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Have had kids at this school for 6+ years now. They do tend to lose good teachers do to school politics....in the past. Getting involved as a parent is easy. Our PTO is always welcome to new faces. Teachers love to have help, especially with their 'Wednesday Folders'. The staff here is Great :)
—Submitted by H S, a parent

Quality of academic programs is good for the chosen few. This is a very unfriendly school that does not really want parental involvement because then the parents may become aware of how poor a job they are doing. Seems they tend to use the budget constraints as an excuse not to provide educational resources for the edcucationally challenged children.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great school overall. However they change staff every year, losing the good teachers.
—Submitted by a parent