Oak Elementary School

My son has attended Oak from kindgergarten to this year starting 3rd grade. We have had an overall good experience, his kindergarten teacher Ms. Ebbers, 1st grade teacher Ms. Holly were AWESOME. His 2nd grade teacher, who has been there many years, we didnt like at all. I thought it was wonderful of Ms. DeLockery, the principal, and the asst. principal Ms. Williams to consult with me and address my concerns and move my son to another class where he got a fresh start and another great teacher. I think, in general, that our county curriculum is weak, not challenging our students to learn. I am an involved parent so I try to keep my son on track and motivated to learn. Oak is a good school with a very well intentioned, professional, caring group of administrators running it. I will say this, you have to look out for and reinforce education from the home, a school like this can only do so much. If you want a superb education in this county, you probably should, if you can afford it, go with private school, which I will be doing, at least for high school.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school! I had a 5th grader, 3rd grader and a preschooler all at Oak last year. Great, caring teachers and staff. I especially liked the 5th grade team teaching approach and all the club opportunities available.
—Submitted by a parent

I was so very disappointed with Oak Elementary!! My children were not challenged at all the whole year. When I brought this to the attention of the teachers they would not work with me to keep my children from being bored in class. We had a horriable experiance with one teacher in particular who in front of the whole class singled out my child just because my child was scared of her since she yelled everyday at all the children. The principal was not very helpful at first when I told her my concerns (that no child should be scared of their teacher due to yelling in the classroon). She was certian that my child was the problem and wouldn't hear of anything else. After a few days of going back and forth we finally got my child a new teacher only to be told that our child should LIE to everyone about why she changed classrooms. Try explaining that one to a 2nd grader. I was disppointed on every level with this school and I am so glad that my children are not enrolled at Oak anymore.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Oak. We transferred from a private school and have been very pleased with our decision to do so.
—Submitted by a parent

My children and I love Oak Elementary. It's a national blue ribbon school, drug free school and has reached many outstanding goals including being 1 of 4 SCS to have straight A's again on the report card from the state. The principal's number one priority is the children. She's great at relating to parents, students & staff alike. If someone has a problem with this school, they need to look in the mirror for the problem.
—Submitted by a parent

Definitely the best school in shelby county. The principal is WONDERFUL. So are the teachers. They have high expectations for these kids and believe it or not, the kids will rise to the occasion when they are expected to. My child has been there 3 yrs and I have yet to see behavior problems handled inappropriately . The students know that bad behavior will not be tolerated and they have a ton of respect for the teachers. My child has been there 3 yrs and this is my experience. I would recommend this school to anyone. I am so fortunate to live in this school district.
—Submitted by a parent

What an awesome school. Oak is by far the best elementary school in Shelby County. Everyone there is top notch. I've had two girls there. One has moved on to Middle School. I wouldn't have sent my girls anywhere else. I have no doubts about the environment at Oak. It is safe, caring and nurturing. It has great parental involvement. Thank you Oak Elementary. You've are great.
—Submitted by a parent

Oak is awesome, we have the best kindergarten teacher, I know everybody thinks their is the best but she keeps the kids focus and finds a way to work with them individually. The Principle is firm but the kids do get around to liking her and she goes out of her way to know the kids by name. There is a mutual respect there between the teachers, principle and kids. So far, I will recommend Oak. We have had a great experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Oak is a Wonderful school! The administrators, teachers and the school counselor have all been so kind and helpful to my family!
—Submitted by a parent

Oak has been a wonderful elementary school since mrs. Rowland became principal - the kids love her but yet have a lot of respect for her! mrs. Rowland has always been fair and understanding in my experience!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent schools for special needs children! My son is mildly autistic and he is getting an excellent education by supportive and loving teachers as well as compassionate understanding administrators.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended Oak and we have been very pleased. It is a wonderful community school where my kids still get hugs from previous teachers and love to go to school each day. Most of the teachers have been outstanding with their communication back to the parents. I would highly recommend Oak!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Oak! I did not mesh well with my sons' kindergarten teacher, but overall, I love the dedication and concern for the students. There is one secretary who rarely smiles and really really gets on my nerves when I come to the school or call, but the cafeteria staff and faculty far make up for her rudeness. I feel that the first responsibility for training children is with the parent first, but Oak is a great accompaniment!!!!
—Submitted by B., a parent

The quality of the academic programs is wonderful. However, I can not attribute this to the leadership. The principal is not nurturing and she does not encourage a nurturing environment. I am disappointed that the school system allows her to treat her teachers, students, and families in the manner that she does. The teachers are resilient and they are driven by the natural initiatives of education. They meet the needs of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

All 4 of my children have attended Oak Elementary. They each were challenged and received the highest quality of education possible. We were very confident in their teachers. My kids received a wonderful base which has helped them succeed in Middle and in High School.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children attending Oak Elementary and I am grateful to have them in such an outstanding school. I have been to several elementaries as a child and I know what the 'bad' ones are like. Thank you to the entire staff at Oak.
—Submitted by Scott, a parent

Oak Elementary is an outstanding school! My child has excelled in every subject. They have a very high parental involvement as well alot of grandparent involvement too. Its amazing to see all the parents and grandparents that continually volunteer to help wherever they are needed. The atmosphere is great and the teachers and staff are wonderful too. They are great with the students and are very professional and caring individuals. My child loves going to school and looks forward to going each day, the cirriculum is outstanding. Its clear to see why Oak continually receives very high scores year after year. I feel so blessed to know my child is in a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Oak Elementary is undoubtedly the best public school in the Bartlett, TN area. Parental Involvement is extremely high. My son is in his third year there and I have been plesed with his teachers, the staff, the curriculum each and every year. I have yet to meet an uncaring, or unpofessional staff member. Everyone from the cafeteria workers to the office staff to the teachers and principal are top notch!
—Submitted by a parent

I m disappointed, simply put. I feel like the structure for the first grade class is based on a childcare facility. The overall emphasis seems to be placed on the conduct of a student more so than the academics. Yes, I've been in contact with the teacher (when she is there) about my child s issues. Thinking back over time, it always tends to lead to the blame game. I don't believe the teacher is truly focusing on the academic side of school. Hopefully, after she completes everything that is going on in her life. She can spend the right time focusing on the core subjects, instead of stressing on how to deal with kids, everybody has issues but they need to detach them from their profession. Could be one bad apple? Excited about the change for next year!
—Submitted by a parent

My child in in third grade at Oak and has been attending since kindergarten. We could not be happier with his education, progress and teachers. Oak continually receives the highest scores in the county and city among elementary schools and always scores all A's in the statewide report card. We have been fortunate to have some wonderful teachers who care about each student in their class. I feel blessed to be living in this school district. They are building a new elementary school near us and I fear he will have to go there. I really do not want him to leave Oak.
—Submitted by a parent