Sarah W Starkweather Elementary School

I get the impression that teachers and principle care a great deal about the success and quality of this school; my son was fortunate to have had very caring competent teachers
—Submitted by a parent

We love our school. It's a blessing to know our kids are in such experienced hands. Safe,friendly, and high quality are accurate adjectives fir this school. Regrettable that a small group of misbehaving parents are so negative and difficult. PTO is great, despite a few malcontents.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Unionville and the teachers/principal here did in 3 weeks what we couldn't get Starkweather to do in 4 years. Some of the teachers at Starkweather are top-notch, but they leave as soon as they can to get away from the dictator principal.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal has many communication issues. She constantly blames teachers for her issues. It is a blessing to be leaving such an unfriendly environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Starkweather is a great school if you don't have a student that struggles in any way or form. My daughter has flourished. My son has had issues, and I struggled to get help in the beginning - everything was pretty much pushed under the rug. As his situation worsened, it seemed as though we were constantly attacked as parents. That we did not take the situation seriously. Which was ridiculous because we were begging the school and 'experts' to help us. When you alert leaders of the school of the school that there is a firein the kitchen - they prefer to wait until it has engulfed the living room before addressing it.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended this school for several years. She was not challenged and was bored for most of each school year. Recently I received messages from the school saying that as a parent my standards are too high. This is a school that does not appreciate academic excellence nor strives to be the best of the best. I am very disappointed in this school. I should have moved my kid to a better school a long time ago.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended only a few months but the results were outstanding because he was n ot getting his needs met in the schools in philadelphia I loved the one on one attention he receieved there his reading has improved dramatically Thank You Strakweather
—Submitted by a parent

My son was in first grad this year and I don't believe that he was challenged enough.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 very happy children who attend Starkweather and we are thrilled with the level of education, parent involvement, PTO, caring teachers and administrators, special programs and all that is offered to our kids on a daily basis. We are so happy with the school, that when we moved it was a requirement to stay in Starkweather territory, which wasn't easy if you know the boundaries. I'm glad that my 5th grader was there for all 6 years and that I still have a few good years at SWS with my 1st grader. I highly recommend all of the West Chester Area Schools, especially Sarah Starkweather Elementary, to anyone considering a move to the area.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and a great school. Big parental involvement and super PTO. It isn't true that parent's can't volunteer or attend class parties. I volunteer all the time for my 3 kids!
—Submitted by a parent

We're having a better year this year than last. My son had a very poor teacher last year--who I am glad to say left. There are some struggles with the 'No Child Left Behind' testing, but all schools are likely experiencing these adjustment pains. Overall, we're happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a poorly run school that creates a stressful environment for the students. This is not a school for happy children. I wish that the district would take notice and help. We have voiced our concerns but are just brushed off.
—Submitted by a parent