Skipwith Elementary School

This school is o.k. I have a lot problems with identifying my childs needs for advancement. They are very quick to test your child or get a case study if your child is high energy. I don't know if it a funding issue, where they need to identify as many children as the can for services. My child is not hyperactive nor does he display it home but they seemed to think he did at school. He is very smart, as is my daughter, but they seem to only focus on their weakness.
—Submitted by a parent

My overall rating of Skipwith Elementary is mediocre at best. Their greatest challenge is the teachers attitude toward identifying students strengths. There appears to be a trend were they tend to be overly critical, highlight student errors, and are lacking in providing students with support, encouragement and motivation in so many ways. We had a teacher that communicated pupil performances with sarcasm, even laughing at concerning matters. The principal supported the approach in meetings as well. We are hoping our pupils future teachers are better than Ms. T***e (kindergarten)
—Submitted by a parent

Not happy with school Cannot idetufy a students potantail until the parents get after the teachers in making them understand. A lot of politics.
—Submitted by a parent

Had to switch teachers in the middle of the year. First kindergarten teacher was terrible with my special needs child. Skipwith iha a rep w/ the parents of special needs children. Most of those kids are removed from classroom and placed in higher or lower grade class as punishment or sent home as undocumented suspension. HOWEVER, OUR NEW TEACHER IS TERRIFIC. No problems at all (same child different teacher....proves the teacher makes the difference!!). I hope that Skipwith learns that this lesson!!
—Submitted by a teacher

The staff is great and the kids represent diversity at it's best!
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are awesome..my daughter loves to go to school..
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year here and I am not pleased with what I have seen. My child is not being challenged for his level of learning. I also believe that our kids deserve the occasional school party it breaks up the norm, our old school had one for every 'break' we trying to get a variance to attend a new school now.n One good thing is the running club in the morning my child does enjoy that.
—Submitted by a parent

My children and I have been very happy with the quality, character and commitment shown by the faculty at Skipwith! Most of the teachers try to work with parents/ students when concerns arise. There is gifted and talented program for each grade. The library faculty is the best I have seen! Using a rewards-reading program has helped my children want to read more. The faculty is very welcoming- knowing most children by name... even the teachers who my children have not had. The principal is great- she too knowing each child by name... she has instilled a sense of 'family' here. I do however wish there was more done with the arts programs. I feel that music and art have been left as an afterthought. Perhaps is budgeting. My children love both and surprisingly don't find it fun or interesting in school. I would love to see more done.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to skipwith elementary and She loves it. The teachers she's had are great!! They have a lot of fun activities going on at all times. I love the fact that there are children from all over the world.
—Submitted by Natalia Rivera, a parent

First off, I think Bill meant to give it more than 1 star! :-) I love Skipwith. It has great diversity, dedicated faculty and a great group of kids. Parental involvement ebbs and tides.... the parents who Are involved work Hard to give the kids a great experience.
—Submitted by T, a parent

My daughter has been very happy here, and loves her teacher.My daughter has done great academically here. However, I have to say that I am shocked by the low level of parent involvement, at least in my daughter's classroom!
—Submitted by Stacy, a parent

Skipwith is fantastic. Highlights include a very skilled, dedicated faculty. Strong reading program and a very diverse student body. We have 15+ languages represented. The variety of coursework is very good. There is a gifted&talented curriculum for each grade and students in that program stay at Skipwith. We also have a very avid Destination Imagination program indicating a solid base of parents. Parents are urged to be involved. The PTA is very active and the events are always well-attended.
—Submitted by Bill Cannell, a parent

We have a special needs child. This school has been very difficult to communicate, provide timely responses, and after three months has not returned calls or emails. I would not recommend this school to any parent with special needs children.
—Submitted by a parent

great school all of my children have enjoyed going there and have had some of the best teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! Great caring teachers.
—Submitted by a parent