Grafton Bethel Elementary School

This is a great school for elementary kids. The student body and teachers on a whole seem happy and engaged, and there is an active parent/caregiver presence. The admin staff, especially the principal, is very good. They seem to value childhood as well as childhood learning. Your child will learn without the specter of over-involvement at an early age.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school. Can't say enough about the teachers and administrators.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. Very involved PTA. Super teachers and administrators.
--Submitted by a parent

This school offers friendly & safe environment for my kids. Teachers & staff are very friendly.
--Submitted by a parent

This school ROCKS! The school works as a 'team', with everyone on board to make sure each and every child gets what they need. Teachers and staff are very helpful and any concerns are addressed right away. There are lot's of volunteer jobs, the staff and teachers are happy to have the help! My children attended GBE for 4 great years .
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school from K-3rd. I absolutely love this school and regret having to move him to another York County school. We switched schools when we moved out of the zoning area for GBES. At GBES, the teachers have all been wonderful. The principal is very involved with the students, the staff is very friendly and helpful. It felt like family there. I miss the school very much. PTA was a bit clickish as someone else said, but that probably happens everywhere. I love the after school programs they had for the kids, the way that the teachers are on top of any issue your children may have and communication is great. I would get a weekly email from his teachers telling us what to expect for the week. I'd also get personal notes from the teachers on things my son had done well or if there were concerns.
--Submitted by a parent

I, too, am very surprised by the desire not to have more involved parents in the classroom. However, the staff more than makes up for it. Helen Stephenson, Admin, was very gracious and hospitable to my family even before we entered the school. I attended this school when I was in grade school and have found their strenghts and weaknesses are the same. The PTA, however, Dana specifically, couldnt be more welcoming. I am excited to be working with this group of women and the school. I look forward to a great 08 year.
--Submitted by a parent

I LOVE this school. My daughter has been going to this school going on 5 years. The teachers are wonderful and they make learning fun! :)
--Submitted by a parent

We moved from England and the school has been wonderfully supportive. The teachers have always welcomed us into the classroom for visits and to help. Mr Miller and Mrs Bauer deserve awards for their wonderful teaching and obvious love of the job. My youngest son is going into special ed at the school in September and I am confident that he will be as happy as his siblings so obviously are. 10 out of 10 Grafton!
--Submitted by Anna, a parent

I have 3 children at this school and was shocked to learn parents are not welcome in the classroom at this school. Bullying seems to be an issue. VP very unfriendly. Principal lacks leadership. Very involved PTA but very clickish. Music art and PE are terrible at this school my kids dislike these programs. Some teachers are awesome! Handful are terrible! Had I known about the parental involvement I would have looked elsewhere in the county for our home.
--Submitted by a parent