Barfield Elementary School

This school is awesome! My daughter is in the kindergarten readiness program and I can't say enough about how great this school is. There is daily communication from the teacher and the school, Mrs. Goodwin helped my daughter through a difficult time with her behavior and now she is doing great! I can't recommend it enough!
—Submitted by a parent

Barfield, in my opinion, is not the school for your child if he/she faces special challenges outside of the plain and obvious. Their challenges may render this response: "these concerns are dealt within the classroom by the general education teacher"...the one who didn't study speech/ language disorders and pragmatics, the one who didn't study attention problems, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, how to help a kid that can't button their pants, hold a pencil correctly, etc. (SPED folks who did study are lacking in providing the right help). A teacher who isn't knowledgeable to accommodate your child's specific needs is the one left to address such concerns, without much guidance. Not teaching children how to apply what is learned isn't true teaching. Helping a kid make a good grade or score isn't teaching. Helping a kid learn something that they can apply in everyday life, and teaching to their specific learning style and needs is true teaching. I'm very disappointed in this school because I don't feel that the administration and the majority of it's teachers have come close to meeting my child's needs. Good luck if your child is being bullied.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is enrolled in this school. I am told there are 500 out of 1100 students in the Tier II program (K-5). How can this be a competent school of teachers and leadership? Basically, what children were taught last year (and so far this year) was not taught properly if almost half of the school is in Tier II in my opinion.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school full of people who genuinely care about each student. Ms. Goodwin should get principal of the year...every year.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with great teachers who truly care about your child. Love this school. Ms. Goodwin, the principle, is wonderful. A+
—Submitted by a parent

BARFIELD is an excellent school. I have 2 boys that have been in this school, one for 5 years and one for 2 years. My oldest son is a straight A student that was part of the Spectrum program. My youngest son has food allergies and ADHD. The principal, asst. principal and all the teachers we dealt with were wonderful. They challenged my oldest son and kept him interested, and made sure my youngest had a safe environment for his food allergies. Also, if it wasn't for the help of the principal/asst. principal/teacher, we would not have been able to diagnosis, his ADHD and have a clear plan on how to provide him with the best education possible. I can't say enough about how wonderful Barfield is. We had to move to North Carolina are saddened to have to leave Barfield.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has Asperegers syndrome and the staff at Barfield Elemetery couldn't be better! They have my childs best in their hearts! They have done everything they can to help my child! I had my child in a city school for kindergarden and was very unhappy! I rate Barfield 5 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

Principal Goodwin and her dedicated staff promote learning in a fun and interactive way. I have a child who competed Barfield Elemenatry last year and one who began Kindgergarten Readiness this year. We will have been at Barfield Elementary for 13 years straight when the youngest one completes 5th grade. I am thrilled with the quality of teachers and their inspiring methods of teaching as well as the administration's expection of personal responsibility and respect for all. I am proud that my children are reiceving an excellent education in a creative and safe environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome! The children are actually loved and the staff are held accountable. I believe it all starts at the top with Mrs Goodwin and her genuine love for the children and the teaching enviroment. Our daughter is/was held accountable to the curriculum and to her behavioral skills. Just when I thought that I was done with 'school', I was informed that it was noticed that I hadnt participated in a teachers conferance and a school activity! I love that the leadership believes in and is committed that the teaching process also extends into the home and that both parents should be involved. Keep up the great work!! MAKE IT a great day, Jeff and Kim Jenkins
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter has been a student at Barfield for three years and we could not be more pleased. Daily communication, webpages, and newsletters (both classroom and total school) keep parents in the loop and give them many opportunities to be involved. Barfield is the model for collaboration and creating a nurturing environment with high academic standards. Any parent who wants to know more can volunteer in the school and you'll get a whole new appreciation for what goes on there!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to the Barfield community right before our son started Kindergarten. I was a little intimidated by the size of the student body, but quickly realized that the administration does a great job of making it feel more like a close-knit community than a large school. On top of that, we had a teacher who very much cared about all of her 'kids' and paid close attention to their development (thank you, Mrs. Pittenger!) We ended up putting our son in kindergarten for a second year because he needed more time to mature. Without our teacher's insight, we would not have thought to consider an extra year. It has been the best decision we have made for out son! He is in first grade and doing fantastic, and we can't thank the people at Barfield enough.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Barfield is a wonderful school. My son attended Kindergarten there. We are now moving and selling our home in Indian Hills and we will miss the school!
—Submitted by a parent

Barfield is the best school for your children. They have many activities,programs,and all the fun stuff for your kids to be educated. Whenever my child comes home from school at Barfield there is always a smile on her face.Making my child happy is the best thing that can happen to me.Barfield is where my child had the most friends.But even though now that she is in 5th grade going on 6th,we'll never forget that school no matter what happens.All that I'm saying is Barfield is the best choice of school for your children!
—Submitted by a parent

Barfield is an overcrowded school. The parking lot is horrible and dangerous to the kids and parents picking up. I have two children that attend. Teachers are very hit and miss. Two have been pretty good but three have been horrible. Academic programs are standard for a public school but you get very little communication as to what your kids are doing or need to do. Extra activities are good for a public school like music, art etc. Parents seem to be very involved and for the most part are impressive in regards to helping. Safety and discipline are a joke half the time. People can just walk in without being stopped. The school and Principal depend too much on what little kids say and do instead of communicating with parents. Be prepared to provide and pay for just about everything that your child needs,apparently some schools won't take responsiblity.
—Submitted by a parent

Ok school if your child does not need any special attention/special education services. Classrooms are large and teachers can not pay attention to individual students. Special education services are severely lacking. If your child needs special education services, you would be better off with the Murfreesboro City schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Barfield is a wonderful school!It is very safe with dismissel.Both of my kid's teachers are absolutly great.My kids attended private school until recently.This public school feels like a private school.I would reccomend it to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have 2 children at Barfield. We have been at Barfield for 4 years and I am pleased thus far. I was also a substitute at the school for a period of time. I have often found that the substitute sees things much differently than the average parent because of the 'insider's eye'. I find that all schools have teachers who leave much to be desired. However, Barfield would be hard-pressed to find very many teachers below par to my high standards. As with any organization who performs well, they are growing! As a result, we are feeling some of the pains. Surprisingly, we see very few - as the administration does an excellent job of preplanning and communicating to the parents (i.e traffic patterns, etc). Overall, I am very impressed with Mrs.Goodwin (principal) and Dr. Butrum (asst. principal) in their leadership of many excellent teachers.
—Submitted by DeJane Shellhart, a parent

Barfield is an extremely large overpopulated school. It shows in the administration. I just had to hand deliver a letter explaining some of my childs absences because the notes I originally sent don't seem to be making it to the attendance department. I have another child who attends there and had to do the same thing earlier this year for the same reason. As with any school it has a mixture of great, mediocre, and bad teachers. The current teacher of one of my children did nothing but bash the school board on orientation night and hasn't impressed me in the least so far this year. My other child got an excellent teacher this year. I am giving them a mediocre safety rating because I have picked up my son from school functions without being challenged by anyone. I noticed today they are requiring everyone to show ID in the office.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE BARFIELD. My daughter is about to leave to go to middle school and I can't stand the thought of it. Luckily, I have a son that is only in kindergarten so I will be attached to the school for another 5 years. I can not say enough great things about Barfield and the principal, Mrs. Goodwin. She cares so much about the school and every child there.
—Submitted by Rosemary Peterson, a parent

Its an Excellent school. I have a little girl in Mrs. Pittenger's Kindergarten Class and I wouldn't want her with anyone else. She is great with the kids and keeps parents well informed.
—Submitted by a parent