Arleta Elementary School

When My daughter started Kindergarten in the fall of 2011 My wife and I were more nerves then she was. We had heard and read all sorts of different reviews of Arleta. What we have found is a wonderful neighborhood school with dedicated teachers and staff, who have been asked to do more with less by the Portland School Board and ongoing budget cuts. We love our childs teacher and the Principal Kevin Crotchett seems to be a strong leader with great vision for the school, children and Community. We love what is going on, the test scores are getting higher with each year. We are new as a family to this neighborhood but we love our new school and look forward to helping it improve.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending this school since Kindergarten and her K-1 teacher, Mrs.Hurner, was fantastic! However, her 2nd grade class was taught by 2 teachers, a job share if you will. This created a slower response time to the educational needs of individual students, not to mention the horrific math homework that was sent home each week! Even I struggled to comprehend the concept of the assignments and I have a college degree! Many of the students in this class had worse grades at the end of the year then the beginning. The office staff are great caring people, but each year I receive her enrollment information later and later. It is currently 4 days from the start of school and I have received no teacher information nor a supplies list. This school has also had 3 principle changes in the last 3 years which makes progress impossible.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a huge fan of Arleta! My son has done very well here, and the teachers are great! Lynn Schlom-Fergeson (Principle) did amazing things here at our school. She has since retired and this is the first year w/ the new leader. I hope that things continue on a path to improve.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has an amazing mixed age learning experience for the younger grades. K-1, 2-3, and 4-5th grades. The students not only engage in mixed age learning but also stay with the same teacher for two years creating a stronger teacher student bond. Along with these great qualities Arleta has also demonstrated test scores that are getting higher with each year. There is an amazing Reading and writing program which is supported by Lewis and Clack college and partners with them to teach the next generation of teachers the methods which have been a success at Arleta. This is a school that has come along way and has maintained Music programs, PE and other amazing activities all while transitioning to a k-8th grade school. This school is an amazing place for children to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely impressed with the level of experience and cohesiveness demonstrated by the teachers and staff. My daughter is in Mrs. Bellavia s kindergarten class where they sing songs every morning, check out books from their classroom lending library , attend music, PE, and library each week, and regularly enjoy enriching field-trips.
—Submitted by a parent

I like the K-1 structure at this school and love the teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

The school focus on spelling tests weekly were about all the homework my daughter had. I did like the smart reader program which taught my daughter to read. The math teacher was decent.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is having a wonderful experience at Arleta. She is in a K-1 class and is learning reading and writing skills. Her teacher has provided her with enough structure and support for her to develop. Our neighborhood school is a hidden treasure.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loved preschool and pre-k. Then came kindergarten at Arleta. By the third week she was so scared to go to school that she was on her knees, tears streaming down her face, begging me to PLEASE do not make her go. Many of the little ones, even those who enjoyed the first couple days, were crying fervently to parents to not make them go. After 2 classrooms and little support from faculty, we left for good. Too much violence and chaos. No one, especially not the little ones, should be forced to become accustomed to that type of environment.
—Submitted by Lori Parent, a parent