Edmonds Elementary School

Edmonds Elementary has a new principal this year and the changes are amazing. The entire community seems more cohesive, stronger, more positive. The students definitely feel the difference in the overall tenor of Edmonds Elementary. The new principal strongly believes in a holistic approach to education and the community feels this in many ways. She teaches empathy and caring and really looks at the child as a whole person - not just someone who needs to learn reading, writing and 'rithmetics. I have seen first-hand the positive changes in her dealings with volunteers, teachers and staff, too. She listens carefully and chooses a measured and positive response. It seems that she leans into "Yes we can do it!" so much more than "no way, you're crazy!" I am so glad that EE gets a chance to continue it's growth under this new leader.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here from abroad and the school have been magnificent with my child. He has had some transitional issues that they have really helped with and I firmly believe that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help him settle in. The communication between the school and myself as a parent is wonderful and I really could not be happier. Plus my son loves school now! :) (I am surprised to hear the negative comments posted below as my family have had such a great experience.)
—Submitted by a parent

Our kids transferred to EE from another school dist when we moved to Edmonds. Many of the stories we've heard about the school have not proven true. We've found the teachers to be compassionate & genuinely invested in providing each child with an excellent education. We've found the Administrative staff to be helpful, professional, & warm. The principal is informed, attentive, & provides appropriate leadership, despite many rumors to the contrary. The parent community has a heavy volunteer base in the classrooms & is incredibly generous in raising funds for both the PTA & the STARS enrichment programs. Our kids have felt welcome & have been encouraged to perform to their best ability since they began at the school. We have appreciated the teachers' friendliness & openness to having parent volunteers in class. Moreover, there are many extracurricular activities available as a result of PTA & STARS programs. Please consider that, generally speaking, people only write the very best & very worst opinions when reviewing businesses/services. Can we improve at this school? YES. Cohesion between parents/administration is the first important step for creating a stronger school.
—Submitted by a parent

Love, love, LOVE the school my kids are at now since leaving Edmonds. Very happy with the positive environment and overall communication between parent/admin. Such a night and day difference. Thank you EE for showing me what to look for in a school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are delighted with the supportive,caring,dedicateed staff and principal at EE. They are all welcoming and friendly, always willing to go that extra mile to make the students feel safe and cared about. Most teachers and the principal can often be found still at the school long after the school day is over, in a sincere effort to give each student the education he deserves through their extra work. It is puzzling to read critical remarks toward the principal as to power and lack of leadership. I wonder if this is made on a more personal level rather than what is good for the students ? What do I think?? Principal leadership at this school has been strong, effective and fair. Perhaps a step back and a good look at the total picture is in order for some people.
—Submitted by a parent

It's nice to hear some people have had recent, positive experiences with the administration of this school. Unfortunately, our experience was not so positive. We had high hopes for going to and supporting our neighborhood school. During our time at EE, we had some truly wonderful teachers that cared deeply for our children. It's too bad that a few of those excellent teachers are no longer there (what's the real reason behind the departures?). Many of the wonderful, extra school-wide activities were provided by the same small group of parents each time (hats off to you!). Other parents were either too busy (totally understand this) or did not want to join in because of all the politics that existed. One can read the stress and tension in the posts on this site. I can honestly say it felt 10 times worse at the school before we left. Truly sad. We are now at a new school where the strong, effective leadership of the principal has created a cohesive community for all involved. Everyone's focus is the children, not the fighting. Declining enrollment, teachers leaving & test scores are not issues. Principals make 6-figure salaries in the ESD. Effective leadership is worth every cent.
—Submitted by a parent

What a positive atmosphere. Our four children attend Edmonds (the BEST school in the district) and we appreciate all the individual/small group instruction they receive. It s obvious that the principal and teachers really care about the kiddos. We appreciate how supportive everyone is and that staff members make a personal connection with each one of our kids. Every time we come to the Edmonds campus, the staff greets us with friendly wave/greeting. I am amazed at some of the unrealistic comments posted. People who are making bogus statements on this GreatSchools site should be MORE OPEN-MINDED and realize that in three years, Melissa has turned this school into the best learning environment possible. We appreciate Melissa s open-door policy and how willing she is to assist us. Also, these same people need to realize how much the staff goes out of their way to provide a superb learning environment for their children. It is obvious that the teachers and principal work many more hours than typical educators and it shows in the weekly activities that take place at the school. Our children feel 100% safe and know that the staff at Edmonds will do anything for them! Edmonds Rocks!
—Submitted by a parent

Our three children attend Edmonds and we appreciate all the individual/small group instruction they receive. It is obvious to us that the principal and teachers really care about the kiddos. We appreciate how supportive everyone is and how each staff member makes a personal connection with each one of our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE Edmonds Elementary!!!!!! My two boys attend E.E. and they always talk about how all the teachers are nice and care about them. They also enjoy that the principal goes outside to do running club at lunch. I think they see that the principal is someone who they could go to if they had a problem. As a parent, I have the utmost confidence in the school/teachers/principal. It is obvious that the staff give 110% to unsure that the students receive a top-notch education.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a perfect example of the devastating effects poor leadership can have. Once a thriving, supportive, truly happy school with a phenomenal principal (who has since retired), this school has become a place more focused on power than the welfare of its students. More interested in their version and perception of problems within the school, they show a complete disregard for how their students feel or are perceiving things, and show absolutely no interest in considering outside opinions or facts. Whatever the principal said is taken as the 100% truth and end-all-be-all of everything. And those who speak up with ANY concerns are automatically black balled as 'out to get' the administration. Anyone who agrees that there is something wrong is seen as causing problems. Children are not protected from bullies, parents are afraid to voice any concerns, and teachers are railroaded into saying (or not saying) whatever it takes to ensure they are not out of a job. It's heart breaking to see the school system failing so tremendously for nothing more than personal gain. The students should be the priority here and sadly they are not. The teachers, though, still get 5 stars!

So funny the recruiting efforts to post positive comments for a high community rating. Hopefully it is all true. Our experience wasn't so. Makes me question the validity of the posts.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has had a great start at Edmonds Elementary. He was a shy and nervous student but has thrived for the last two years since coming to Edmonds. He loves his teachers and has really come out of his shell. Thanks to everyone for making this such a wonderful school and giving my son the attention and support he has needed to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Polarized community and environment in turmoil regardless of the efforts of wonderful teachers, talented students, an giving parents. I am truly sad to see so much time, focus, and effort placed in a struggle for power by the administration. Since when has educating our kids and giving them a healthy community become about "putting power where it belongs," as someone proudly declared below? Sad.
—Submitted by a parent

I hope this school gets better next year. The admin just needs to be more involved and connected with the parents. It looks like they are trying, but still seem to scare away a lot of good families. Its unfortunate because we gave it the old college try at the expense of our children. Oh well live and learn and check the test scores to get an idea before trusting people with our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Edmonds Elementary school. My daughter loves all the fun activities that goes on at her school. The staff and teachers are nice and care about each child. I feel so lucky that she is getting a great education and it all starts from the top administrator (Melissa). My fifth grade daughter loves the Watch Dog Program. She says all her friends love their teachers and they know that the teachers are willing to help them be successful.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Edmonds Elementary school. My daughter loves all the fun activities that goes on at her school. The staff and teachers are nice and care about each child. I feel so lucky that she is getting a great education and it all starts from the top administrator (Melissa).
—Submitted by a parent

From "top to bottom" I give Edmonds Elementary an A+. Professional, involved administration; Caring, knowledgeable teachers; Helpful, willing staff. How could the children fare any better?
—Submitted by a parent

Edmonds has a caring staff. My son had an incident happen on the playground and it was handled with the upmost confidentiality and professionalism from the recess teachers to the principal. Thank you for caring!
—Submitted by a parent

I appreciate the staff and teachers at Edmonds they have shown care and safety of my daughter's education. The office admistration is always helpful and accomadating to my schedule changes. Thanks Edmonds Elementary staff for your great service to the children of our community!
—Submitted by a parent

Edmonds Elementary really has (and had) some wonderful teachers, staff, students and families. Unfortunately, the leadership needed to provide and sustain a cohesive, cooperative, spirit-building community is not present. As such, good families and teachers are leaving. Academics have suffered. The district really needs to start paying attention to the real reasons behind the declining enrollment.
—Submitted by a parent