Northridge School

Northridge is a fabulous school! My daughter is in second grade and has had only the best of teachers! I don't know of one 'bad' teacher there. I wouldn't have my child go anywhere else. GO NIGHTHAWKS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Northridge Elementary. I had three kids attend there, and I have two more kids there right now. Northridge is in the top 30 Elementary Schools in the entire state of Utah. The teachers truly care about each child's academic performance. The computer, art and music programs are excellent. I feel that my children were prepared for Junior High and received a well rounded education. The PTA and parents are very supportive. I can't imagine a better school. Go Nighthawks !
—Submitted by a parent

BEWARE OF FIRST GRADE TEACHER. There is a first grade teacher who was teaching less than half the year. I caught her yelling at the kids. She was very cruel when she was there. She requested no parent helpers so she could "get control of the class" My daughter came home saying her teacher was always mad. She felt sad all year and would come home so upset she would cry! I wish I wouldn't have let her stay. I couldn't believe how she treated the students and my daughter did not learn anything the whole year due to her teachers lack of caring and constant absence!!! I wanted to be supportive of her because I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt, until I actually surprised my daughter for lunch and caught her teacher litterally FREAKING OUT on 2 kids in the class. When she spoke to the kids it was very negative and this should just be stopped. Another parent went to the principle and the principle just told her to go to another school because she was out of area anyway! So, basically a whole year of hardship and nothing learned.
—Submitted by a parent

New Principal is very unorganized. She seems incompetent and lacks confidence as a leader of children and of her teachers. I tried to ask her for help and support for my struggling daughter, her comment was this, "well, that's what's wrong with this school model. It's not what's best for kids." I asked her if it was good teaching practice for her 1st grade core teacher to show so many movies, and she said how else do you control 26 kids?
—Submitted by a parent

My son currently attends this school and has ever since kindergarden .This is a great school academically. I have had no problems with the teachers and the principal seems concerned about the welfare of the school and the students. However I am pulling my son out due to social problems at the school. He has had alot of problems with bullying and the kids don't seem to be very friendly. I am not sure if he personally needs some improvement on his social skills and/or if it's because he is one of the only ethnic kids at the school. Other than that the school is great.
—Submitted by a parent

Excessive homework to compensate for sometimes mediocre teaching. Principal is true politician. There are a number of outstanding teachers and staff members though. Music, art, and computers are two areas I think you would be hard pressed to find any better.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school with very high parent involvement. There are some excellent teachers, and the school is known for its excellent specialty programs. The principal administrates well for the masses, but is poor with one on one and special needs. The school is still on an extended day schedule which is, in my opinion, a very poor choice, especially for the younger students.
—Submitted by a parent

Very impressive programs and curriculum! Great teachers, especially the specialty teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Northridge is one of the best schools in the state and competes with any private school on both an academic and extra curricular level. The only disadvantage is the current Principal who works poorly with the parents and staff and a district that is intent on dismantling the programs because they make all the other schools 'look bad.' A top of the line Spanish immersion program was one of the first causalities.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, this is an excellent school. The extracurricular activities are amazing, most of the teachers are bright and caring, and the new principal has been eager to help in most situations. I would like to see more attention given to students who might have special needs. Great for a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent with four children, 2 of whom have attended Northridge, 2 who attended elementary in another state. This is by far, one of the most outstanding schools I have experienced: outstanding music program, excellent to outstanding teachers-- bright, professional and motivating principal. The only 'downside' I have experienced is the extremely demanding and 'entitled' parents, who push personal interests over benefits for all.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful, caring teachers, absolutely horrible, incompetent, and arrogant principal. If you can resolve problems before they get to her office, you are much better off.
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I have lived in Arkansas and Ohio, since my son was a kindergarten student at Northridge. He is now in the fourth grade. You should feel extremely fortunate to have students attend Northridge Elementary. My son had Mrs. Smith in Kindergarten. She took the time to come to each of the childrens homes individually to get to know the parents of the children before school started. That is so unusual, anywhere, for a teacher to be so involved. She really made him feel worthwhile and a little less nervous about school.
—Submitted by a parent

I found the new Principal tough to work with. I am very pleased with the teachers. They seem to really care about the students. Another item that gives me great concern is the safety of the students. I'm looking for a new school for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

The music program at Northridge is exceptional. Mr. Huish is the finest music teacher in the state and really knows how to insil children with a love of music.
—Submitted by Shannon, a former student

Good academic programs. Outstanding music program. Good parental involvement. Recently changed principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Northridge really is a great school. The music program is exceptional, and includes an orchestra. There is also an 'art club' which meets after school. Parental involvement is high -- for example, there is a 'home reading' program run entirely by parents, where children are encouraged to take home books, read them, then return them and exchange for new books.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic new principal! I'm very impressed with her handling of everything so far. Very proactive in Community council meetings. Great communication with teachers and parents. Love the home reading program (English and Spanish Immersion.) Teachers morale is better this year. I'm amazed at the dedication of the parents to this school. Volunteer hours are off the charts. Daughter is in chorus this year and really enjoys it. Mr. Welch is such an awesome upper-grade computer teacher. Really impressed with the new first and sixth grade Spanish teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a lot of pluses...some fabulous teachers, great extracurricular programs like a good art club, ballroom dance, or orchestra and a very involved PTA. Unfortunately, poor leadership from and communication with the current principal is very evident both with us parents and faculty and is a great detriment to the school. Morale is very low and not only parents notice but the children too. What a shame! Discipline problems, issues with the Spanish Immersion program and other topics have been badly handled by the principal unfortunately. With different leadership Northridge could be a great school once again.
—Submitted by a parent

The most redeaming feature of the school is the computer education class taught by Ms. K Smith. Our boys have learned so much from Ms. Smith and she is always willing to stay after regular school hours to help a student with a problem. She makes the kids tow the line but is extremely fair when they choose to participate. Aside from that the school art program is weak and the teacher moral appears to be failing due to lack of administration support.
—Submitted by Ar Servant, a parent