Bluffton Elementary School

I have had my kids in the elementary school/ early childhood center for the past 5 years. I love the teachers and contrary to the people who don't like the principle I feel she is very involved. Your child's education is not only dependent on good teachers and a good principle but a parents ability to help their children and to know your own child abilities and to communicate. I have 3 kids in school there and have never had any of the negative experiences that were mentioned.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved from Ohio to Bluffton and could not br more happy or impressed with the schools programs and communication with parents. We were in a top school in Ohio and feel that this program with the gifted program is wonderful and offers more than our top rated Ohi schools.
--Submitted by a parent

Principal? What principal? She loves the element of power, but doesn't care to get involved with the children. She distances herself from parents and teachers and truly lives by the code of "in it for the money." What kind of role model is this for our young, impressionable children?
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Bluffton Elementary since kindergarten. I have been very impressed with the teachers and principal until this year. The previous principal was outstanding. It appears that the current principal has decided to punish all 5 th graders for the actions of others. Her crack down approach have teachers overracting and are excessive with their punishments. My child is in the GT program and her enthusiams has deminshed. I think the principal and teachers need to realize they are dealing with children not military cadets.
--Submitted by a parent

There are outstanding teachers in this school; however, the leadership from the principal is poor. The principal has failed to create an environment that promotes enthusiasm and desire to learn. Her method of ruling with an iron fist does not work and she has lost respect from her parents and students! With new administrators this school has potential to be 5 stars!
--Submitted by a parent

The current leadership at this school is terrible. (Note that there is a different principal than there was in 2005 - that principal was outstanding.) The principal can't keep teachers there because she does not communicate well with them and they bolt at the first opportunity. She also does not cooperate well with the PTO, despite the PTO raising a fair amount of money to provide valuable classroom materials that the inadequate budgets would not cover. It's bad enough that there are so many apathetic parents who do not participate in the PTO, but when the principal is practically sabotaging the group's efforts through poor communication, closed-mindedness, and a superiority complex, well, you get the picture. That said, the teachers do a wonderful job for the most part, there is a gifted and talented program, and we are generally happy with the quality of the education our kids have received.
--Submitted by a parent

Although the staff and administration try their best, the absence of parental involvement and lack of accountability makes this school sub standard. Additionally, since money in the state is tight and the voters tend to vote down educational referendums, the quality of teaching tools and advancement of technology in the classroom is sub standard as well.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is geared to educate our future leaders and am proud to live the in this community
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is in 3rd grade and has attended Bluffton Elementary since Kindergarten. The teachers, administration and staff are excellent. They are very devoted to the children's education and overall well-being. While the school is definitely overcrowded, they make lemonade out of lemons and handle the situation effectively and smoothly. The crowding should begin to ease up in the next year or so as new schools are being built. Bluffton Elementary has a great academic program with a nice emphasis on the arts- allowing students to find their own niche. Their music and dance programs are excellent. Our daughter has perfect attendance this year because she is so excited to go to school every day and see her teachers and her friends. She is very enthused about her studies and the music and dance programs.
--Submitted by a parent

I loved this school in 2003 when my son started kindergarten. The administration has done an excellent job under the circumstances (size). Unfortunately, each year the school loses programs due to its ever increasing population. It just isn't the same. Instead of a family, it has become an institution.
--Submitted by a parent