Valley Ridge Elementary School

My sons attend this school and I could not be happier with the staff and their dedicationto the students and community. I am greatful my sons can attend a school such as this
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with this school. Parents are always welcome and the PTA is very active! There are so many extra curricular activities available to the kids from Choir to Chess to Spanish Club and Computer Club. Healthy cats for active fun and summer library program. There are so many ways to get involved, I really feel like like children are learning more than test taking skills but actual life skills. I feel lucky to have my kids at Valley Ridge.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to agree that the administration has no problem solving skills. Quiet often, in an incident involving two children, the child who is not at fault may end up with a consequence as well in order to please the other child's parents if they are the type of parents to cause trouble. Parents, listen to your child, know what they are capable of, because administration may lie.
—Submitted by a parent

Concorned about this school. The Principal has no leadership skills or appropriate problem solving skills. Not sure why there is such strict rules for elementary children, ie: when it's recess and they have to stay in for weather, they have to sit and be quiet and watch a movie. When do they get a chance to let out their energy? (Just one issue of many!) Looking into moving my child!
—Submitted by a parent

I would give this a school a failing grade. My child receive little to no homework The class work is at a very slow pace. I would expect at LEAST 60min of assigned homework each day covering the major subjects such as Math, Science, English, Social Studies.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I like VRE. I do have issues this year w/ my child's teacher. My child is an average child with learning abilities. Last year Mrs. Kiley was the teacher and she was awesome! This year unfortunately hasn't been so great. I have been very displeased with a number of things. Too many to go into detail about here. Again, overall The school so far is okay. Parents please be advised to pay close attention to your child's work and whether or not they are being taught 100% not just handed work and expected to know it all. Every child is different and should be taught as such.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this is a run of the mill school with 'middle of the road' teachers. I would just say it is mediocre. Nothing fantastic. Parents..Be very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 daughters are in VRE - kindergarten and 2nd grade. I have been very happy with their academic experience and programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Valley Ridge Elementary,is an excellent school in my opinion. Mrs.Kiley,my daughter's 1st grade teacher,is exceptional,and she really challenges the children to learn more.She always asks that the children,correct their papers which they have missed questions on,and sends then back to the parents.This in return helps the parents,to help their children,correct their mistakes and learn.
—Submitted by Charles Lewis, a parent

Nice elementary, but would like to see more math with good mathbooks and more grammar,writing textbooks. Not just something the teacher pulled out of a hat.
—Submitted by a parent

Great learning environment!
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I am satisfied with the school. However, I am concerned with the large number of students that attend the school. They had to get a new kindergarten teacher in the middle of the school year because they exceeded the 22 to 1 ratio in all of the 5 kindergarten classes. My son was one of the students that had to move and have a new teacher. I am disappointed after he got used to and comfortable with the his teacher and she was able to understand him and challenge him.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first year with Valley Ridge Elementary and I think they're doing a fantastic job. To the parent concerned about discipline--have you ever worked in a school?
—Submitted by a parent

We have not been pleased with Valley Ridge. Administration is very image-conscious. Teachers do not seem to get much support. Bullying is not dealt with, and the bullied get in trouble if they defend themselves. Kids can't use much of the grass at recess although at least now they can use it. Some grade levels seem to rely on shame and ostracizing for discipline. For sensitive kids, it can be hell. If your child is a low-maintenance kid, she'll likely do fine. Kids w/obvious problems do well. Kids with learning differences definitely slip through the cracks. There are wonderful teachers and support (Content Mastery is great) once you fight to get it. My hat is off to the teachers who care more about the kids than their TAKS score! People seem to either love or hate the school... little gray area.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been extremely pleased with the school and what is has to offer. I feel that the parent that wrote the review before complaining of the D-1 class needs to educate themselves on what that class is used for and which children attend that class. These children could attend first grade if their parents want them to. This is only a recommended course of action for a child that needs a little more time to mature, not because they didn't catch on in Kindergarten. Please educate yourself before you rate something poorly. The large truck depot is also an over exaggeration. Yes, there is a trucking company across the street. The trucks in no way make too much noise to disturb the kids. I feel the school is starting to get much more parent involvement. We are always open for new volunteers. The school gets better with more volunteers!
—Submitted by Jodi Persson, a parent

Valley Ridge Elementary is a great school! My children have had a wonderful kindergarten experience even though it is only a half-day program. The kindergarten teachers have managed to incorporate a motor skills lab and computer lab time in addition to their traditional academic curriculum. The kindergartners participate in full day field trips and a music program in the spring. Each kindergartner is recognized in a graduation ceremony in May. The PTA supports the students and faculty at Valley Ridge. There are many opportunities to get involved. I am pleased that my children attend Valley Ridge Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten classes are only half-day despite Lewisville's large and growing property tax base. There are 5 Kindergarten classes and 7 first grade classes, and one 'developmental first grade' designed for kids that do not have the skill set to move up from kindergarten to first grade. It concerns me greatly that there is an entire classroom full of children that attend kindergarten here and are not ready for the next level? That's 20% of the kids attending this kindergarten! Also, classes are at or near the state maximum teacher:student ratio. For K-5, there are 700 children in this single school. The school is located directly across the street from a busy truck depot, which large tractor-trailer (including the super-sized 53' trailers) coming and going at all hours of the day and night. Most train traffic is during daylight hours, however, this does coincide with school hours, interrupting class activities with very, very loud noise.
—Submitted by a parent