Centennial Elementary School

Was not impressed!! We had 2 kids in this school for two years. We are a military family and have had the opportunity to live in several states and have had our kids in several school systems. This is not a bad school, but like most schools in Western Washington, the focus is not academic, but more towards "diversity." The teachers in the school are nice, but not that engaged. Your child is part of the herd thats getting pushed through, don't kid yourself. It seemed to me the academic effort was ramped up a bit just before the mandatory state testing, (which has a lot to do with "No child left behind.") In the end, we pulled our kids out and are now paying for private school. They are still taught diversity, but they are actually being prepared for High School and College. The good news is Olympia High School is actually a good school. We have friends whose kids are in this school, and they are happy with it. These friends had their kids in the same private school (K-8) as ours, then put them in Olympia High School. We probably won't be here that long, but if that is your plan, live in the Centennial, Washington Middle School, Oly HS district.
--Submitted by a parent

I have one child at Centennial with another starting in the fall. My son's experience has been excellent. He has progressed rapidly this year to well above grade level in reading (from being just average last year) and I feel that his classroom teacher and his reading teacher have been very responsive in moving him up and providing him with material at his level. He is excited to go to school. There is a great deal of parent involvement at Centennial and I'm very happy to have my children there.
--Submitted by a parent

Centennial Elementary is a wonderful school! My 4th grader has been going since Kindergarten and I also have one that just started Kindergarten this year. I can not think of anything that this school lacks or needs to work on. The staff is awesome, supportive, understanding and sensitive. My child loves it here and from what I hear of other schools or districts, I could not imagine being elswhere. They aim high and always achieve success!
--Submitted by a parent

Over the years I have attended many events at Centennial Elementary and am never disappointed in the evident quality of the teaching and student participation. Outstanding1
--Submitted by a parent

We came to Centennial after moving from another district. We are impressed with the staff as well as the academic curriculum. Our child is continually challenged yet feels like she is also accepted for who she is as a person. We cannot say enough about the excellent preparation she is receiving for middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

Centennial Elementary school may be wonderful for children who do not have disabilities, but for children with disabilities, it appears they are much less flexible. I would prefer to place my learning disabled child in a different school if I had a choice.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Centennial are smart, engaged and committed to providing a quality education to the students. The parents are very involved. The curriculum is geared toward reaching students at a variety of levels, and keeps students challenged and interested.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are amazing. My son is in 5th grade. They recently got a new principal that we are not sure about. She doesn't seem approachable or friendly when we have attended school functions
--Submitted by a parent

Our children attend Centennial, and we couldn't be happier with every aspect of all that goes on at this wonderful school!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Centennial from 2002-2004, grades 3, 4, 5. We were happy with his teachers and the overall climate of the school. Lots of parent and community involvement by the school. My son had one disciplinary incident that the school handled fairly well. Academically he was challenged appropriately, as he is a very bright kid, but struggles sometimes with organization, work, habits, and the typical immaturity issues young boys deal with. School was built in approx. 1990, so it is reasonably modern, and the campus is clean and pretty, in a wooded setting in the midst of several neighborhoods of single-family homes.
--Submitted by Jim, a parent