Shady Shores Elementary School

It amazes me that SSE could even receive a negative review. So many positive things are going on. We are the only elementary school with a morning assembly where the entire school gets to be part of news, the pledges, and acknowledgement of student successes. The leadership of SSE continues to accept new ideas. SSE is a great school! Get involved and see all SSE does for the students!
—Submitted by a parent

Shady Shores USED to be an amazing place. Unfortunately, when the last principal retired and the new principal took over everything changed. Long gone is the warm environment where you where happy to place your children. The place seems so cold now, and as a parent who has had three children walk through those doors I find it heartbreaking. The principal is responsilble for setting the tone, and how sad it is that the tone she has set for the staff and students is that laughter, happiness and fun are no longer welcome in the halls of Shady Shores. The teaching staff there is truly top-notch. However, I have watched the life drain from their faces over the past few years since Ms. Deussen took charge. When a principal can't even manage to fake a smile for children, it is clearly time to find a new job. I pray that Lake Dallas ISD realizes this before it's too late. Kids deserve a wonderful elementary school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I have developed a good rapport with SSE because of the wonderful willingness of teachers and staff at the school. The receptionists are always very helpful, as are the principal and assistants. My child takes medication while at school and the teachers and nurse have been wonderful at reminding him and even rewarding him for independently coming to take his medication.
—Submitted by a parent

I was terrified before my son entered kindergarten as he has ADHD and had a rough time transitioning even in preschool. The SPED department met with me on more than one occasion to evaluate the situation. Although my son did not qualify for services, he was carefully placed with a kindergarten teacher who took fantastic care of, not only him, but all students in her class. My son has sensitivity issues with crowd noises and has been provided with headphones to wear in those situations! Yeah for SSE!!
—Submitted by a parent

Learn from our experience...the SSE principal rules the school as a dictatorship. We have a smart, independent, willful 5-year old boy. Sometimes he says butt and thinks it s funny, sometimes he doesn t want to do work when told, and sometimes he gets a little rowdy with other boys. We chose SSE based on many of the positive things in other posts, as a transfer student. We thought it would be like adoption once accepted in, the child became one of the school s own. Not so. At the end of school day 26 we received a random call from the principal telling us that she d determined our son was no longer welcome at SSE he was a transfer student and too much effort (opposite what we d heard from his teacher and vice principal just 4 days prior). There was no further explanation given. We have been unable to reach anyone for clarity, and no one has tried to contact us. Had we been forewarned that this is how the principal operates, we would never have placed our son in SSE s care.
—Submitted by a parent

I work at SSE and love the school, staff, and most of all Kiddos. We have a great group of kids that show lots of respect and are very goal oriented. My son xfered into SSE when I took my position and the care and compassion shown to him along with all the other students is amazing. As a Special Needs mom I can not say enough about our SPED program and the lengths our teachers, gen ed and SPED alike, go to to make sure our kiddos are meeting their utmost potential. There is a staff of ladies and gents at SSE that have done my son worlds of good. And I love the changes we have seen. They definately have a "it takes a village" attitude and I think our kiddos benefit from it greatly

Shady Shores Elementary is an amazing school! The adminstration and staff are personable and truly want the best for each and every child. The school is welcoming and inviting to parents. SSE wants to partner with parents to do what is best for kids. I've had two childen attend this school and couldn't be more pleased. I highly recommend Shady Shores Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

I have twin boys who are in 4th grade at Shady Shores Elementary. We have had nothing but a wonderfully positive experience, each year, since kindergarten. All teachers have had much experience, been kind and wonderful. The principal is amazing as well as the staff. My boys were diagnosed with dyslexia in 2nd gr and immediately admitted into the MTA program and are both on or above reading level and excelling. We love SSE!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending SSE for 3 years now and she loves it. I have had no problems whatsoever. It's a great environment for your children to be in and the teachers are great! They are also a TEA Exemplary Campus!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Children's safety is a top priority. My child is in their Pre-K program and loves it. He has come so far.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is great. My son loves going to school. He has come so far in the Pre-K program that I am amazed.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended SSE for 3 yrs now. All of the teachers are great! All of the staff I've met have all been very friendly. The assistant principal on the other hand is very difficult to work with. When talking to parents she comes across as very condescending! I've experienced this myself and have heard this from many other parents. My son has ADHD and finds himself in her office from time to time. Every time I've had to talk to her she just seems to have a very bad attitude! Please get another assistant principal. Otherwise this school is great!
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely great experience with this school! Our son (5) is having some developmental issues and the school could not have handled the situation any better. We ultimately decided to take him back to daycare (just not ready) but we could not have been happier. Our daughter (9) still attends and loves it. The Vice principal and his teacher called regularly with updates and offered good sound advise. Our family feels blessed to be a part of the Shady Shores family!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 7 year old girl and 3 year old boy that were both diagnosed with Autism. They both attend SSE. I can't say enough good things about this school. I have seen huge improvements from both of my children. If you have a child with special needs, this place is a God send!!! The bus drivers, the teachers, the principals, and the staff have always been very kind.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at this school and we really like it. The staff and instructors are pleasant. This school challenges my first grader and there is always something fun for parents to do with their children. The events seem to be well organized too. Overall I am pleased with Shady Shores Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent

I never been to a more warm loving school. The ladies in the office are very welcoming and go out they way to take care of all students and parents. The Principal and Assistant Principal love ALL the children. Any parent should be happy to have their child in such a loving school. As a parent I cannot ask for a better school for my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Shady Shores! The principal is loving and caring towards all kids. She shakes every child's hand as he walks into the gym this morning. She knows many kids by name. She takes extra time with the shy and 'special' kids. Our family is multi-racial and I have never seen a 'different' attitude towards any of my kids, regardless of color, special needs or anything else. Thanks for all you do!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended 07-08 for third grade and really enjoyed it. She had problems focusing in class and her teacher, without asking, got her in to pull-out programs to help her in reading and math. The Instructional Aides are wonderful and caring, as was her teacher. I haven't had to deal with either Principal, but are a little concerned after reading the posts. The front office staff seemed a little unfriendly. My daughter had a class awards program at the end of the year. This really impressed me, as the teacher gave individual awards for each of the students focusing not only on their best qualities, but their personalities and most memorable behaviors in class. It was fun and I could tell her teacher really 'knew' each student and appreciated them just as they are.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter that attends this school. I bleieve that the school is very irresposible for the children. The Vice Principal and principal are very hard to work with. It seems they do not care for the well being of the child just how much money they receive for the child attending school even if the child is truely ill. There are very few awards for the children and not a lot of activities for the children to be involved in. Please get a new vice principal in place and turn this new school around.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't care much for the principals. They feel that only they are right. I have had numerous complaints about my daughters teacher. She wants to teach to students with out LD's and doesn't care about students with LDs
—Submitted by a parent