Chloe Clark Elementary School

We have lived int he area for a number of years, and our child started at Chloe Clark as a kindergarten student. Now in third-grade, we have been very pleased by the eduaction that she has received. We love Community Time. It seems to have a great effect on ther start of the day. And the overall environment of the school and the challenging nature of what takes place in classrooms is very pleasing. The staff is caring and involved, as is the principal. There are many opportuntities to volunteer in the school, and it is strongly encouraged by the district and school principal. This really is what schools should be.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal is highly inneffective and hides from conflict. Exceptionally poor communication form the Principal on all fronts without exception. The Kindergarten teacher my son had should not be teaching anything anywhere, but 3 years later she is still there despite complaints and concerns from multiple families.
—Submitted by a parent

I completely agree. The first grade teacher that my son had was the worst teacher I've ever seen. She has no idea how to manage a classroom and defaults to sending kids out in the hallway or to the principal's office for typical 1st grade behavior. She has no idea how to effectively discipline the classroom or work with children to modify their behavior. Additionally, she never talks to the parents and ignores suggestions on how to improve the classroom environment. The principal, in way over his head, simply parrots the teachers and does whatever they say rather than working to solve problems. For a newly constructed school in an affluent area, Chloe Clark is a huge disappointment. I tell my friends to pray they don't get my son's teacher!
—Submitted by a parent

Principal doesn't solve problems, but smooth talks his way through them. 1st grade teacher noncommunicative and the worst teacher i've ever seen.
—Submitted by a parent

Two major school subjects, science and social studies, were dropped from the curriculum without parent notification. We found out when we saw the report card after the second trimester. We were told that funds were not available when enquiring at a parent teacher meeting, with no plans to reinstate it for the remainder of the school year. There were expensive items, such as smart-boards, that were not being utilized by all teachers, yet not enough money for essential academic subjects. We also had problems with Community Time--tardy children were barred from entering. Kids were put on the spot with announcing their birthday plans, given the mike in front of the whole school--it created a cliquish environment embarrassing those students who did not engage in the more popular and expensive activities. Our student's teacher did not communicate things to us in a professional and effective way. Our student had academic difficulties, and on more than one occasion those difficulties were communicated to us in a way that made is seem like a personal affront to the teacher, rather than a problem that we could collaborate on together to bring learning and growth to our child.
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoyed most of the teaching staff. But, my children were miserable because it was very clicky and the counselor did a great job with PR for the school and a miserable job with children who struggle to cope. The school can be very good for popular children. For example, at morning community time, a microphone is given to the birthday child where they have the choice to announce what their birthday plans are. For a child who can't afford go to great wolf lodge, throw a big party, or is not invited to parties, this seems insensitive and even clueless. Supervision on the playground could be better in terms of preventing bullying.
—Submitted by a parent

Chloe Clark is my daughter's 3rd school in the local area and by far the best of them all. The appearance of the school is very impressive and can lead you to believe that school is based on appearances, however the staff and the principal are equally impressive. The have a great bus system and although we weren't able to use the (paid) all-day kindergarten, it is one of very few public schools in the area that offer all day kindergarten. My only complaint is that outside of YCARE, the only child care option in the area is the Mini-Skool which is grossly overpriced. Very happy overall.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had some outstanding teachers at Chloe Clark school and the environment is very positive. The building is beautiful and the student body is well behaved. We have had an enjoyable experience at Chloe Clark for the most part. There are areas of improvement needed. 1. There are WAY too many days off of school. And school is canceled for any dusting of snow at all (district problem, not the school's problem). 2. The KGN program is grossly lacking in academic rigor. Parents are made to feel very welcome and we feel this is the best school in the area. Thank you Chloe, for the efforts you've made!
—Submitted by a parent

Chloe Clark is a school with great potential but in need of major changes. It is very chaotic and it seems to be gross lack of organization. My first impression was open house night when the poor teacher was just stood in a reception line for 45 min so she couldn t give out any useful information. Anything useful was trickled home over the next 3 weeks or only provided when I asked for it which made it very hard to get into a routine. (I am a military spouse with 3 children, 2 in school and fairly organized, just to give a bit of background.) Instead of having all fees paid at once, we received note after note asking for money, but with 2 children in school I had to send in separate checks for each child. One was $3 fee for the use of a pedometer and another $8 for a planner for my kindergartener (you know, who cannot read or write yet). Community time is useless if you pay attention to your child at all. They spend 15 minutes of the day talking about the lunch menu, weather and singing happy birthday. The lunch room is loud and disorganized so there isn t a lot of time for your kids to eat, only 20 minutes and they have to stand in line to get lunch then eat.
—Submitted by a parent

I have mixed feelings about Chloe Clark. The staff is very friendly, warm and welcoming, and they sincerely care about the welfare of the children. However, the academic rigor is lacking. My school loving first grader started crying before school because she was not challenged with the work they were doing in class. Literally, the homework she was bringing home was on the level of what she completed in preschool! My husband and I both spoke with the teacher, but she just kept telling us what we could do at home. For 2nd grade, we decided and the WAVA program and loved it!
—Submitted by a parent

I got Duped in DuPont. There is a lack of discipline standards within the classroom. Yes, it's rated higher than others in the area, but Pierce County as a whole is NOT good. These are not East coast schools by any means. Also, there are no stores in DuPont, one must drive 10 miles daily to buy anything!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son went to Chloe Clark for 3 years. You will not find a better school in the Ft. Lewis area. A+++
—Submitted by a parent

We have had two children at Chloe Clark for three years and have had nothing but excellent experiences. The principal, staff and teachers are outstanding. While another parent commented that Community Time and Friday Sing are not good uses of time, I would argue that those two events are two of the best examples of why you would want your child here: every morning they start off with a positive event where kids are recognized for their accomplishments and on the last day of the week the kids are released with a great feeling from participating in the singing. The teachers (including PE, music & library) really care about the students. We will be sorry to move on when the time comes.
—Submitted by a parent

From the caring and capable principal and administrators, to the intelligent and optimistic teachers and staff, this school is amazing! Although it is growing rapidly, they are able to maintain a small-school feel and everybody there knows my 2nd grader's name. Every year she attends she claims is better than the last, and her kindergarten year was great -- so the bar was set pretty high! I appreciate the way every person at the school goes way above my expectations and I have yet to have a truly negative experience since my daughter started attending Chloe three years ago. Education is extremely important to our family and I cannot think of a better environment for my daughter's happiness and scholastic achievement. The school is filled with other happy kids and parent involvement is high.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best schools my children have attended. As a military family who have lived and schooled in more than one country we found this school to be excellent in meeting the needs of a military family. The ladies in the office are friendly and incredibly helpful. Mr Yoho will deal with any issues that you may have and the community feeling is just lovely. We moved from the area just last week and leaving the school was the hardest part.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is all about appareance their community time and friday sing along Huge waste of time.Community time most of the times is a drug and they keep going and going on silly meaningless subjects 20 to 25 minutes that the kids could use for a fresh start in the morning.The teachers are very incompetent and shallow.The vice principal Mrs Kozyra was one of the school best asset but she's gone now.The principal has no leadership whatsoever.Dont judge a bokk form its cover that's the only advice a have.
—Submitted by a parent

Chloe Clark is a very warm and welcoming school. A very positive environment and a sense of unity.
—Submitted by a parent

They have the finest principal I have seen in a long time. He is involved of every part of that school, and all his staff. He has the kindest and most polite demeanor but when he commands attention from his students and I mean all of them, they listen.
—Submitted by a parent

we love Chloe! We are a military family and move quite a bit. This school has been so military friendly and sensitive to the needs of the children of deployed parents. I will be very sad when we need to leave.
—Submitted by a parent

As parents, we are truly pleased with Chloe Clark. We have seen Mr. Yoho in action from his regular daily activites to his dealing with children and their issues. He is a highly visable principal and so kind and caring. The staff is amazing! We appreciate Chloe Clark for allowing our children to be children! From the classroom learning to Halloween costume parades! As a military family we especially appreciate the support from Chloe Clark. The 'deployment counseling' for the children of deployed soldiers goes above and beyond! We cannot say enough good things about Chloe Clark Elementary and it's staff!
—Submitted by a parent