Royersford Elementary School

So much better of a school and environment with the new principal! She is positive, upbeat, and a HUGE breath of fresh air! It was long overdue and noticeably improved. We've had only 2 teachers we weren't thrilled with. The biggest problem with this school is there are ALOT of low income and low learning students. This is very hard for a classroom. I read the other reviews, and I guess I agree about the parents involvement and the PTA. It's hard to help at school and is usually awarded to the same couple parents all the time. That is disappointing. I've heard of one parent bragging that they are at every party, etc...and I've seen that parent be not so nice to students during the events.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children went to Royersford Elementary and we were very happy with all the teachers there and the principal was exceptionally good and sincerely cared about the children. My daughter just finished her sophomore year at Ursinus College and has made the deans list every semester and my son is in the Spring Ford 9th grade center and has made honors the first 3 marking periods so I feel Royersford Elementary helped them off to a good start to make them the successful students that they are today : )
--Submitted by a parent

I completely agree with another post. There are some really great teachers at Royersford, however, they are few and far between. It seems like many do the bare minimum. I also agree, the PTO is not friendly and is reminiscient of a snotty click in high school that thinks they're better than they are. I have noticed teachers talk about kids and their families to each other that have nothing to do with education, but is pure gossip. I also agree that if you worship the principal, it is announced, but if you dislike him (as we do) you are shunned and treated like garbage. Once this principal leaves, maybe the holier than thou attitude will go with him. I generally dislike this school and the administration. I would prefer to go somewhere else, but can't. Some parents are especially mean and nasty to families they dislike for whatever reason.
--Submitted by a parent

I am torn with how I feel about this school. There are many teachers that go so far beyond expectations, but then there are those that do the basic minimum. The PTO, in my opinoin,is difficult to get involved with, very much a clique. If I had a choice to go somewhere else, I would, but I'm not dying to get out of Royersford either. If you have something positive to say about the school/adminstration they announce it, but if there is a problem or a complaint you are given the cold shoulder.
--Submitted by a parent

All three of my children have gone to this school, and we are extremely pleased with the education that they have received. In addition, they do a lot of special touches that are not present at other schools. Mr. Willauer is phenomenal and sets the tone for the rest of the staff. Our children have had 8 teachers at the school so far and we've been very happy with all of them. As far as fundraising...there is one major fundraising event which pays for free books for the students throughout the year, classroom supplies, playground equipment, free t-shirts, subsidies on field trips and memory books, etc. I do not find fundraising to be 'over the top', as another reviewer stated. Royersford is a fantastic school and I would, without hesitation, recommend it to anyone!
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is great. The teachers that my two children had so far, have been wonderful. I only wish Mrs.Hitchcock was still teaching. She was a great teacher to my son. I only wish my daughter would've had a chance to have her as a teacher. Keep up the good work!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school! My children are happy and we are happy! It is a smaller, family oriented school. The teachers go above and beyond. I have not met one staff or faculty member that I didn't like. The principal is involved and cares about each student. I will be disappointed when 5th grade comes and we must leave this school. I wish it went all the way to 12th! If you are looking for a school with a team approach and encourages parent involvement, this is the school for you. They do alot of fundraisers, that is true, but you certainly don't feel pressured to be part of all of them. I'm glad they work hard, to provide extras for the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Fundraising at this school is completely over the top. It's nice that they can offer nice programs with it (free book for everyone, cool field trips for everyone with little to no fee, etc), but the frequency of their fundraising demands is just shameless, and annoying. Recently they starting using an emergency notification service and now the principal records and sends a fundrasing message to everyone's home phone number, during dinner. Best of all, they treat you with incredulity when you try to 'opt-out' of their notification system ('but don't you want to be notified of emergencies?? Like our fundraising??'), and then promise to remove you and then never actually remove you. Teachers are fine, principal is fine. I'm not blown away by the instruction, but I'm happy with my child's progress. I'm not a big fan of their character education, but it seems harmless enough so far.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has little to offer in the way of innovative programming. The principal is invested in making rules about unimportant things such as when to wear a jacket. The really important issues are overlooked.
--Submitted by a parent

This is wonderful school with a principal that is actively involved with the students, teachers that really care about the children's progress and staff that is always friendly, kind and helpful. I really love this school, and wish that it went higher than fourth grade!
--Submitted by a parent