Creekside Elementary School

I love Creekside. My daughter began Kindergarten there in the middle of the year. She has learned so much more there than where we had been previously. Her teacher has great communication with me and is always available, returning phone calls, email and notes right away. I am amazed at how quickly my daughter has learned to read. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was such a disappointment to my husband and I. We had such high expectations when the school first open in our neighborhood, that we decided to enroll our son there instead of keeping him enrolled in the private school he had gone to in pre-K4 and K5. His 1st grade and 2nd grade year was ok but nothing to write home about, but last year I was so excited that he was going to have the 3rd grade teacher who had been voted teacher of the year in the past. My excitement soon turned into a nightmare, his teacher did not communicate any upcoming test to us ahead of time, we had no pre study notes come home and when I asked about this we were told the kids had gone over everything in class. Well that may work for college students but when you have a class with over 20 kids and other things to teach doing the day, most kids will not retain the info presented early in the day and be able to test on it the following day. We tried to have meetings with his third grade teacher, but nothing ever changed and after meeting with her on several occasion we decided to take our son out of Creekside. Now our son goes to school happy and does not wonder why his teacher hates him.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of children havegood teachers but they do not have any support. The classes are crowded and have many children with discpline problems and nothing is done when problems arise. I have heard of many issues from other parents pertaining to bullying and nothing being done about the situations. The librarian is one of the best in any school my children have attended. She is probably the main reason I have given thisschool 3 stars. This school could be better if they had better leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish I could give Creekside a higher rating, but we are not at all satisfied. I love my childs Kindergarten teacher. Having over 25 kids in her class with NO help, she does the best she can. Mrs. Bowers-Rountree, the principal, is very hard to get in touch with. Email, stop in, call... she will never get back in touch with you & if she does, she will say, "I didn't get your email, it must have went to spam". I've heard this from other parents too. This year my childs Kindergarten class was shown Michael Jacksons, "Thriller" video in music. No, I'm not kidding. This was completely ridiculous to show a group of 5yr olds. My child was scared for several days after this, as were SEVERAL students from the class. The music teacher did not get into any trouble for this either. My child reads on a 2nd - 3rd grade reading level & is also advanced in other subjects. There is no gifted program, except 15 mins. of AR reading a week. They are suppose to just sit & read while the rest of the class catches up.
—Submitted by a parent

Creekside Elementary is a great school for any child to attend. Mrs. Thompsons is a great 1st grade teacher who is very evolved with her students. My son has learned so much this school year from her and I'm very impressed with her teaching methods.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Creekside for five years now. We have found the teachers and staff to be friendly and understanding. They are always trying to build the confidence of each child. Alot of focus is put on reading for entertainment. The Librarian is the best I have ever seen and her enthusiasm is extremely contagious.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! My daughter came from a christian academy and I worried that she would get bored and not seek higher potential. Was I wrong! This school and the teachers are about reach high standards and goal. My daughter is excited about education and that is always a plus
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school that gives great strides to ALL the children.First the teachers encourage and support each child. The Ouality of the teachers and All staff members care about every aspect of learning. Excitement in the school library is a every day thing. Would like you to meet Mrs Richardson. Always thing how to improve on something that goes beyond most schools. Come meet our principal.Always ready to assist you. The outstanding ability to lead. Our coach, what could I say the kids love him and he loves them as well.I feel left out when I see what the children are learning. Way beyond what I could emagine form the standard of learning when I was in the fourth grade. I say hats off to a system that just seems to work. Suffolk administration be proud of this school. I am so happy to tell others my granddaughter goes to Creekside. GO GATORS
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in his second year at Creekside. His first year was awesome. The teacher he had last year communicated with me on a regular basis. I really appreciated that. This year is totally different. The communication with this year's teacher is hit and miss. I would send in notes or even email her and I do not get a response. I am not a very happy parent !
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very disappointed with the school. My child tested 3 grade levels higher then her given grade, but was not allow to participate in classes that met her level. She has been required to sit quietly while the rest of the class catches up. There are no accerated classes offered of the children that are more advanced than the majority. The no child left behind must mean that the 'more advanced children' are kept behind. For a child in first grade that is tested in reading and scores on a fourth and fifth grade level and nothing is done something is wrong.
—Submitted by a parent

Creekside is awesome. Love It Love the Staff. My children so miss going to Creekside. We relocated to Portsmouth due to Military housing. What a mistake (switching schools of course). My heart bleeds intensely. Mrs. Stitt, Mr. Outlaw, and Mrs. Davis were fantastic!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Creekside and my child has had a wonderful experience. The teacher has been extremley supportive and available to us for any questions through the entire year. The school has lots of parent support. We hope to have another fun and academically successful year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been so disappointed by this school system. The Gifted/Qwest program is not up to standard. My child was in Challenge in another state and he was given a complete day of Challenge one day a week and the other 4 days he was in Accelerated classes. Here, he is being asked to sit quietly and wait for the other kids to catch up, which, most of the time, takes days, and the QWEST program is only 2 hours a week (if there's nothing else going on) and no accelerated classes. My child should not be punished for studying and learning the material the teacher gives him in ample time, but should be encouraged and be offered classes that do not bore him.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had the opportunity to work on several committees with the principal at Creekside. She has a great personality and a passion for improving the educational experience of all children. She is a fair person who does not show prejudices towards anyone. The teacher who has a complaint about the principal may have their own personal issues/concerns about her.

I also work at Creekside Elementary and find that the leadership is fair and impartial. It saddens me to read that this was not the experience of all staff members. I have not witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of either administrator. The teachers care about their students and the community. Many amazing staff members!!!
—Submitted by a teacher

I have some major concerns with the level of professionalism that exists at Creekside. Administration does not maintain a neutral approach to their relationships with staff members. Their personal friendships with some staff effect their ability to act as professional leaders to all staff members. Diversity, mentoring, and communication between staff members are not supported by administration.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have two sons attending this school and they have loved it here. Overall, this is a good school and my husband and I have been happy with the quality of the education received...my son's teachers have been fantastic...good communication and they have worked hard to challenge each of them. The gifted program and resource classes are also very good. Communication with administration can be hit or miss. If you are an involved parent, your child will thrive here.
—Submitted by a parent

Creekside is overall a fantastic school if I say so myself. My family has only been in suffolk for a 6 months now, relocating from florida.At first I did not know what to expect, but my main goal was to find the very best school for my second grader. The faculty is very helpful and strive to help every child succeed. My daughters teacher is one the best teachers I have came in contact with this far, and she takes her time to ensure every child is working to their potential. One concern that bothered me when first coming to the school is going inside everyday to pick up my child. My daughters past school had a pick up line for the children depending on grade level, which made it very easy if you have younger children. Although at first this issue was bothersome I'm getting use to it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is Creekisde's second year of opening and a great year it was for my child. The teacher was fabulous and worked hard. The administration is very welcoming and overall the atmophere was very positive.
—Submitted by a parent

We have experienced some good and some bad at the school. The facilities are fantastic, as is the librarian. She focuses on each child's potential and tries to channel that. However, the way the teachers specifically teach to the test and only test with SOL review tests for math has NOT been helpful to any students. If they're wondering why their test scores don't improve, look at that. Also, having control of the class has been a problem in one of my children's classroom. The other child's teacher is outstanding--challenging, thorough, respectful, and insightful into what each child needs. Overall I wish the education was better in a newer facility.
—Submitted by a parent