Chapman's Retreat Elementary School

My son was introduced to CRES as a walk in speech delay therapy student before Kindergarten. When he started Kindergarten, we had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Kim Pantall and she helped us receive more necessary services for his disability. When he started 1st grade, we had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Terry Martin and she patiently helped us to learn & cope with our growing challenges. When he started 2nd grade, we were blessed with Mrs. Laura Wellhousen and she helped us believe that faith would carry us through. And, I can't leave out his large support network which consists of many: Mrs. Barbara Brooks, Mrs. Mindee Jones, Mrs. Mindy Fee, Ms. Laura Kolmetz, Mrs. Allison Hammat, Mrs. Jill Justus, Ms. Be-Tuy Ward, Mr. Troy Martin, Mrs. Liz Handzel, Ms. Johnson and many, many more!!! It really is a team effort to promote independence & to prepare precious individuals for a life of service! I just can't thank them enough!!! We are looking forward to 3rd grade with Mrs. Eagan & Mrs. Heep and our new CRES Principal Carol Garrett.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is horrible. My daughter started to become withdrawen and would not talk about school. I found out that the teacher yelled at the class and they were not allowed to ask questions. She didn't smile anymore and hated going to school. We asked the principal for help, but she would not. We moved her to a private school. Now she smiles again and is happy to go to school. There might be really good teachers at CR, but we had a really bad experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to chapman's Retreat and we love it the teachers are great people i love the school and the principals that have bend there to all the 5 gr teachers Pricila Rice LOVE YOU ALL and god bless you all and keep up the good work we are in Homestead fl know
—Submitted by a parent

My boys only went to this school for the 2008-2009 school year, but we really liked it. Awesome principal and great teachers. We are a military family and had to move....we were sad to leave such a great school. The only drawback to this school is the parking/picking up of children from school. Can be a nightmare! All in all we loved Chapman's Retreat!
—Submitted by a parent

I had a lot of reservations about public school but I am very glad that my daughter is at Chapman's. It is a great school. The new principal, Dr. Garriss, is the only one that we have known since my daughter started K during Dr. G's first year. From what i can tell she is doing a wonderful job. The school isn't as overcrowded since a new school opened last year. 5th grade (4 classes) are in portables; everyone else is inside. Another new elem school is planned to open soon (already being built) so it seems like they are staying ahead of the growth. The school is VERY safe (as is this entire community) and parental involvement is STELLAR. I am the room mom and I barely have to lift a finger, there are so many parents willing to help and volunteer. Great community, great school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are rounding our 3rd year at Chapmans and it is an amazing school. We adore Mrs. Fox, both of my children have been through her class. The school is attentive and it just feels like home for my children, they love being there and the community surrounding chapmans is welcoming and friendly. Parent involvement is amazing compared to previous schools we have attended.
—Submitted by a parent

Chapman's Retreat is an excellent elementary school! My family and I have had nothing but positive experiences this past year. We are very blessed to have Mrs. Garriss as our principal and Ms. Fox and Mrs. Hicks are phenomenal teachers as well! They are so caring, patient and creative! We are looking forward to another great year in the fall.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family moved to spring hill from ny. We are so very pleased with the tremendous growth our 4 children have had here. They felt loved, cared about and loved school! our kids came out of the inner city where lockdowns and teachers frustration were commonplace. Our kids were so apprehensive about going to school at all and now they love it, thanks to all the wonderful teachers, principal and staff at Chapmans! Thank you Chapmans, I only wish I could have been involved more, it was a very stress filled year for us. One of our consolations during this transitional year was this fine school! We struggled through hard times and they showed us full support with caring non judgmental hearts. Our kids learned such awesome things! They brought home great crafts! They were so happy to attend. Thank you Chapmans, we will miss Mr. Guanine and sadly we are moving too.
—Submitted by Lisa Marie Gutierrez, a parent

Chapman's Retreat is a fabulous school. Like most these days, there are moments when it seems everything is centered on the standardized tests. Still, the education is very well-rounded and the teachers work hard to prepare the older kids for the next step (middle school). Kids are taught early on at CRES to be a member of their community through age-appropriate school volunteerism. The only question on this school is that the principal, who opened it in 2003 and continued through the 2006-2007 school year, is moving on. The assistant principal is being promoted, and she is not a known quantity to me.
—Submitted by a parent

Chapmans Retreat is like having your own backyard school! They are the best! I have 3 kids who attend this school. I Know that they are getting the best education and getting the attention they need. I have a daughter who is on the high end of the scale who is challenged daily and a son who is autistic who is worked with and cared for by each person he is in contact with. The special ed department is great. Next year they are building a new school and we will probably be moved. It will be hard to beat the people and the principal at Chapman's Retreat.
—Submitted by Andrea Latham, a parent

We were really trying to decide between Public, Private and Homeschooling for our children. After meeting with Mr. Guinane we chose Chapman's. It was the best experience for our oldest to start Kindergarten. They made learning fun and our son is reading and doing math and telling us The Cycle of a seed and what President is on his money and telling time. He also loved Music and Art Class! Plus socially it has been wonderful. We couldn't have had a better first experience! We are looking forward to first grade and sending our daughter next year!
—Submitted by a parent

Overcrowded - ran by bureaucrats. Very limited extracurricular activities, children must sign up through nearby Bethesda or Heritage elementaries. Academics are average - parential involvement low compared to other schools previously attended.
—Submitted by a parent

I have never regretted sending my daughter to Chapman's Retreat! The principal, Mr. Guinane, is a gem, and the teachers all seem dedicated and caring. Parental involvement is encouraged. Above all, my daughter is learning so much in a safe environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Chapman's Retreat during kindergarten and first grade. We were very scared about her attending public school. She is very quiet and reserved. However, it turned out to be an awesome experience. Every time I walked in the door, the teachers and staff smiled and welcomed me. They actually looked like they enjoyed going to work every day! The principal made it a point to learn every child's name in that school. It is a close-knit community and I never worried one day about sending my child there. I loved it so much, that I taught there last year myself. Unfortunately, my husband's job moved us out of state. Our current school in no way compares to Chapman's Retreat. We miss it greatly.
—Submitted by Catharine James, a parent