Nansemond Parkway Elementary School

I have been very displeased with this school. The bathrooms are unkept--my kids refuse to go to the bathroom. Each year there is a disruptive/violent kid in my child's classroom and when altercations occurred, I was not notified. One incident my child was in line and this very violent kid turned around and covered my child's nose and mouth for no apparent reason and then pushed another kid into the wall. When I found out about it after picking my child up, I called the school and confirmed the incident with the teacher and talked to the assisstant principal. All she did to the perpetrator was scold him. Even when this child has been a holy terror for the teacher (ie..throwing chairs, tipping over tables, hitting, etc)That was it!! The school is too concerned with keeping the one disruptive child in the classroom rather than letting the other 30 kids learn. The lunchroom personnel are intimidating to my kids. Positives: office personnel are great and friendly: the teachers that we've had are good, too. They just need to fix the hygiene issues, some of the personnel, and include better programs for the children who can't be in a regular classroom, and it would be a decent school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very active in my daughter's classroom and with the PTA. I have to disagree with the previous reviewers. Instead of complaining about problems and issues - work towards solving them. Get involved with your students school. See what is actually happening behind the scence and you may get a better understanding. With todays economic hard times, and budget cuts - more schools and PTAs are doing more fundraising. The school PTA raised money for the 2010-11 school year to bring outreach program to the school for each grade level. Stop complaining and get involved.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at NPES and we have been extremely pleased with the administration, teachers, staff, and the PTA. The school is dedicated to providing a well rounded education. Each and every Friday is "Day without a Desk" giving children an opportunity for hands on learning. The PTA is very active, well organized, and dedicated to creating a family-school partnership, PTA efforts are focused on our KIDS - raising money through fundraisers etc. to bring much needed educational programs that enhance learning (due to budget cuts field trips were eliminated this year) to the school for each grade level. Resource programs (Art, music, PE) are great (although there could be more PE time), the children put on a fantastic holiday music program in December.
--Submitted by a parent

I did not like the school. I came 2 times to see my grandson in Christmas programs and it was too hot and crowded. The rest room did not smell very well either.

We were VERY disappointed in this school. It is very dirty and the bathrooms smell of urine. The other reviewers are right, the janitors there are all friends, so they sit around talking all day, no cleaning is ever done in this school. The Principal does nothing about any complaints and the teachers yell at the children. I cannot recommend this school to any concerned parents.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had ok experience with this school. Cleanliness needs to be improved. Janitoral staff is more interested in chatting than working. Some teachers need to be concerned more about the childs education rather than it's their job. Agree with other poster, that focus is on fundraising and not sure where that money goes. Otherwise, pretty good school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have not had any bad experiences with this school, although a significant level of frustration with the bus schedule -- if it happens to arrive at all. The teachers seem nice but there seems to be a focus on fundraising. Not overly impressed with the school system but have no specific problems with the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, I have had terrible experiences with this school since the beginning of the school year. I would not reccomend this school. The teachers here are not concerned with our children's education.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had at least one of our children at Nansemond Parkway Elementary for the last 7 years and have been very pleased with everything. The teachers are wonderful with the students and are very warm and caring. I have always been amazed at the amount of parental involvementat this school...it is overwhelming how many parents go above and beyond in donating their time to make Nansemond Parkway Elementary the best that it can be. With the staff of Nansemond Parkway and the Parents of the students, our children are sure to succeed !
--Submitted by Mary, a parent

I have been very pleased with NPES. My children are in a pleasant safe environment and the Teachers are very attentive to their needs. The PTA programs are wonderful. This school really brings out all of the children's talents!
--Submitted by a parent