Gregory Heights Elementary School

My oldest daughter started Kindergarten at Gregory in 2007. Her first two years were a total mess! I will admit she is a difficult kid as she would very much rather be singing and dancing, but she got treated so poorly and immediately pegged as "that kid" and was passed over. Instead of reaching out to her and inspiring her to be a good student she got left behind. I tried to get her transfered out, but apparently Gregory falls in with only a couple other schools that don't fit into the large % of low income but also failed the state testing, so the transfer option was not given to our school. Mrs. Sparks was a great teacher in 2nd grade and I was glad we had her! Mr. Janeke is now my daughter's teacher in 4th grade. I am absolutely thrilled with him! He has such a kind demeanor! He has raised my daughter up and has really encouraged her to be a good student! I cannot express to you the change we have seen in her. She used to tell me that she wasn't one of the "good students". I was so sad that she had written herself off as not being smart. We are so lucky that Mr. Janeke has changed her outlook on herself. I am hopeful we can find just as good of a teacher for 5th grade!
--Submitted by a parent

I used to love Gregory Heights but things have been going downhill this year in regards to student health and safety (though I still love the teachers) It started when the lunches were switched around with the mid-afternoon recess; the time allotted for both were decreased significantly and now kids no longer have time to get out all of their energy before they go back to eat and then class. The kids rush through lunch while being yelled at to be quiet. The recesses were all shortened and now the kids have to line up the last 5 min of each recess. The playground paras now use whistles to bring them in, not the school bell. Additionally, they decided that though school starts at 8:40, kids must be in their classrooms by 8:35 or be marked late. My own child was marked tardy 10 times this quarter. My friend's child, 13. Finally and most importantly, we virtually have no crossing guard. I bring my child early (8:32) every day and there is no one to ensure that kids get to school safely. Traffic is a nightmare as parents cut each other off and/or park in the drop-off lane to talk on their cell phones. Kids walking to school now run across the crosswalk into traffic.
--Submitted by a parent

If your child is currently in Kindergarten at Gregory Heights, are you happy with your child's teacher?
--Submitted by a parent

I really love this school, and have found the Staff to be very caring, concerned, involved Educators. My child is a Special Needs student, and I have to say that the lack of variety in Special Education Services available for students is disappointing. However, the Staff at Gregory Heights have done the best they can with the resources currently available to them, and I appreciate their efforts. I think that there is a good variety of extracurricular activities available to students. Speaking again as the parent of a Special Needs child, I wish more funding and effort were put towards better inclusion and individualized education for the students in the school receiving Special Education Services.
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest daughter just started kindergarten this year and loves it! The school is beautiful & clean and the staff is incredibly nice and accomidating. We love this school!
--Submitted by Kimber McMonagle, a parent

My son has attended GH since kindergarten and is now in second grade. The transition year into the new facility had its challenges but I really feel like the school as a whole is gaining in momentum. The teachers and staff go out of there way to know the names of all the kids which not only feels safer but we also feel like part of a community. The PTSA is great and provide for a number of family activities throughout the year as well as a number of after-school clubs to enrich the students academic life.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Gregory Heights Elementary School. My second-grade daughter attended kindergarten and first grade here (but moved on to Hazel Valley Elementary School to participate in the Challenge Program). My son is currently a kindergartner at Gregory Heights. The school offers many after school programs such as Chess Club, Math Club, Spanish/French/Japanese language classes, Drama Club...and the PTA helps add a lot to an already great school. There are many functions for the whole family, and my kids really feel like they're part of a caring community. Many of the staff know my kids by name so I feel safe having them participate in after-school activities. The staff and principal are very hands-on with students and their families. You will LOVE this school! (Doesn't hurt that it's a brand new facility with top-of-the-line media technology)!
--Submitted by a parent