Union Ridge Elementary School

When we moved to Ridgefield we were encouraged by many to submit a transfer request to South Ridge Elementary, which had better ratings. We decided to stick with Union Ridge and give it a try knowing that they had recently hired a new prinicpal. We have been very pleased with our experience so far. My daughter's teacher, Mrs. McDonald, is a wonderful teacher. I have volunteered in the classroom and have been impressed with her ability to handle a variety of behaviors and learning styles. While in the school all staff have been friendly and helpful towards me. This year they have reported great improvements in their test scores and their rating has increased. I am happy with our decision to send our children there.
--Submitted by a parent

Union Ridge has a few exceptional teachers, a few poor teachers, and many above-average teachers. Our counselor is the best. The school's Challenging academic programs are very limited because of limited funding. Our principal is retiring and we are hopeful that the new principal will be a strong advocate and leader. We have a few exceptional parents that volunteer continually, many that volunteer regularly, but just as many that complain a lot and do nothing. Parents could really kick it up by volunteering and helping out. School funding isn't available and people vote no on bonds...You Get What You Vote For and What You're Willing to Put Into It.
--Submitted by a parent

I can only say good things about this school and the staff they have been great with my children!! My son needed extra support and the school counselor has been wonderful in helping him with some things he's been struggling with. Thank you very much and a special thanks to Mr. Sunkel
--Submitted by a parent

I agree 100% with everything said. I feel most of the teachers are capable wonderful people who do care about their students. Same with school secretary, nurses and counselors. Everyone else seems to be all about teaching for the WASL or whatever it is now called. One of my children, has had trouble reading since K. Have tried everything to get help, but always hear there just aren't funds and there are kids who are worse. Have a H.S.. sophomore. A-B+ grades all high school. Running start test, reading 98, math, 38 (which is where a sophomore should be) and writing 22! How can an B+ student score a 22/100 on a college entrance exam writing section? Because teachers assign essays but students rarely have to edit them. Have a H.S.. senior who sits in classes that teach nothing most days. And calculators! 100% correct on that post!
--Submitted by a parent

See 4/22/07 post and add to that an under-appreciation for the importance of math/science education. In 2009 the 'plan' to deal with failing WASL scores is apparently to have many more in-service days so the teachers can learn (and thus more substitutes and movie days for the students!). We moved to this community b/c of their reputation in 2006 - we are leaving for either a boundary exception or private in 2009.
--Submitted by a parent

A wonderful small community school which is strugling to keep up with its expanding communtiy. Ridgefield has that small town, small class size which focuses on its students needs. It could really use extra funds to keep up with its growing needs.
--Submitted by a parent

Very happy with the success our children have had since coming to this school. The care our children have recieved here is unmeasurable. The quality of their learning has been pushed and helped them to think outside the box.
--Submitted by a parent

Calculators are REQUIRED for 5th graders (how will they learn with them?) 4th graders don't have times tables memorized, 3rd graders haven't been taught how to read a clock. Kindergarteners attend 2 days one week and 3 the next instead of a half day. Hard for them to retain what they've learned each 4 day weekend. Too much time is devoted to studying the state testing... should have been learning this all before, throughout the year. There's quite a few teachers who seem to have stopped caring about the kids... Administration says they care - but they're not willing to work with anyone when they have a problem.
--Submitted by a parent