Baker-Butler Elementary School

FANTASTIC elementary school!! I am surprised by this ranking, Baker-Butler is just as good as Hollymead and not nearly as crowded! Plus it's the newest elementary facility in the area! If you're new to the area, this is the elementary school you should select!
—Submitted by a parent

I'd say this is one of the best schools around Charlottesville. My daughter has been there for 3 years and I can't say enough good things about it. The low student teacher ratio makes a huge difference in the classroooms, although it will change next year with the redistricting and having more kids from Hollymead - which is totally overrated. This school is new, fresh, innovative and diverse.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Baker-Butler Elementary! Two of our children currently attend, The teachers care about the students learning and helping them at their level. The volunteering is awesome and I love that not only do I get to be involved in my child's class, but I also get to meet other parents who are there. My sister recently visited from another state and couldn't believe how many parents were in the school volunteering. I am impressed by the way the students treat each other and the way the teachers and administration work with them. The school is bright, cheery, and innovative. I am amazed at what they are learning at such young ages and how they thrive on the challenge. When my first grader came home talking about vertices a few weeks into the school year I was blown away. Each grade puts on a show each year. It was a graet experience last year to watch the Kindergarteners singing and delivering their speaking parts with poise and confidence. The teachers are top notch and in our experience great about communicating with you about what is going on and what is next. We will be moving soon and we are so sad, this school is tops!
—Submitted by a parent

This is THE elementary school for your children. Our first home selection criteria was that it had to be in Baker-Butler school district. It's the newest school in Albemarle County and, as such, attracts the best administration and teachers. We had 3 of our children attend this school and have been thrilled with the administrative leadership and support staff, impressed by the teachers' enthusiasm, teaching abilities and compassion and grateful for the encouragment and acceptance of parental involvement. This is a wonderful school for your little ones to start their academic lives.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school with great leadership, an awsome office staff and teachers who really care. My child has had problems with reading and the school has a very specific personalized program that includes one-on-one 'tutoring' to help get him on track. Also, the music and arts program is fantastic and the best I have ever seen in an elementary school, along with gym teachers that encourage physical fitness through old fashion fun activities. My family moved to this school district just to attend this school; it is one of the best decisions we have ever made!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Charlottesville, last summer, so this is the first year my children have attended Baker-Butler. It has been a great year. My husband and I have been impressed, and extremely pleased with the quality of the teachers, the responsiveness of the administration to our issues, and the effectiveness of the PTO. Most importantly, my children are engaged, challenged and continue to thrive. Baker-Butler has been a great experience for us!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a great location and facility. The students come from very supportive parent communities. The teachers and admin. however do not support the ideals of the community. There are many diverse learners and their is little insight into how to support these within the school. The admin. does their job to defend the staff and their goals but the schools does not support the students. The school has a signifiant issue with girl bulling and cliques. The bulling program or the admin. can not/or does not address these issues

I have had two children in this school from kindergarten through fifth grade. I am extremely pleased with how my children have been challenged, the creative ways they are taught and the many community resources which are incoporated. I have been very pleased with how the school has adapted to meet the varying needs of my children. I can say definitively that they DO divide the children into reading groups. They test the children throughout the year and adjust them as needed. I know this because I volunteer for the literacy time. My children have been continually challenged. I have also found that they have responded quickly to any questions or concerns I may have.
—Submitted by a parent

I have found this school to be less than responsive to our concerns. The school facilitates 'bullying by exclusion' in organized activities. No matter what you're concern, there is almost always something wrong with your child. As far as the parents who are 'supportive' of the schools, well those are probably the parents of the 'cool' kids and the bullies doing that talking. Those of us with normal, average children and not arrogant, self centered, egotistical superstar wannabes have to put up with a total lack of attention at this school. The 'disdavantaged' and the 'gifted' are catered to, normal kids - well the school just wants them to shut up and get with their 'program.' Some of the individual teachers are fantastic - but they are crippled by an adminstration that is weak and reactive. Where is the previous principal when we need him?
—Submitted by a parent

I'm the parent of a child that goes to this school. The administrative staff does in deed deal with problems with a hands off approach. If you have a problem they seem to sweet talk you until you just give up. I feel that they talk the big talk of no bulling is tolerated but they don't follow it. They know there are children that are always in trouble with bulling, hitting and name calling other children but they do nothing. What they do is 'talk' to the 'troubled' child and then expect the victim to accept a half hearted apology. Then all is forgiven. Not!!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent with two children at the school. A new principal and a new vice principal have taken over the school this academic year (07-08) and it has been a rough year. I get the impression that the administration is putting the wishes of the teachers over the needs of the students. Their clear goal is to bring the lower achieving students up to the state minimum standards at the expense of the higher achieving students. I also do not think they are using the input of the parents in making decisions that should be in the best interest of the students. It's a shame to see all of the great work done by the previous principal at such a nice school is being driven to mediocracy by what I perceive as bureaucrats.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent, but a teacher working in another school system nearby. I completed my student teaching at Baker-Butler. Everything I know about skilled teaching I learned from the wonderful staff at Baker-Butler. My time there was so valuable and I find myself using many of the effective teaching strategies I learned there in my current classroom. I applaud their efforts for excellence in education and their principal was a joy to work with! I wish every school could be that lucky!
—Submitted by a teacher

Baker-Butler is one of Albemarle shinning stars as far as elementary schools go. The staff was hand picked by a very experienced principal and there seems to be very good moral. The school is state of the art with equipment and facalty. The parent envolment is extremely good. A great school for any parent to concider. Absolultly a fine elementary. My only concern is that there seems to be an assumtion that all parents seem to be in a med-high income bracket. That does put pressure on lower income families when it comes to extra expences that occur during the school year, like field trips, extra school supplies, and many fundraising events . Even though money may be available, I think the school has an up-scale image that makes it difficult for some parents to reveil they need assistance. These things may become more evident as the school matures.
—Submitted by a parent