Carter Lake Elementary School

this school is horrible. my childs' teacher doesn't even like kids. there are no updates,i never know whats going on, teacher never talks to me.can't wait to get my child out by the end of the year. but i am not really surprised, just look at some teachers facebook.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child's first year at this school and it is horrible. Everyday I ask her about her day and its the same old thing, we watched a movie. I was concerned so I emailed the teacher after 3 failed attempts to meet with her in person (she always had a sub), to see what was going on, she never responded and its been 2 weeks since the last email. We moved on post thinking it would be better for us to have our children surrounded by peers who all are military but its not. I WILL BE MOVING OFF POST JUST SO SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO CARTER LAKE EVER AGAIN! Why are teachers and staff commenting on this post? We know what you have to say, you all should be replaced with new teachers. Our kids already suffer enough with parents being deployed constantly why are you making it worse? I was wondering why everone on my street homeschool their kids!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is the worst, it has no communication skills within the school between teacher and teacher, parents and teachers and teachers and principle. Most staff seem to have little actual interest in the children's educational welfare. I had to finally get the right teacher and complain for a year before my child could get tested, and after he was, he started getting the help he needed. Fifth grade is the worst grade for the kids, it is full of confusion and only one of the teachers seems to care. My kids tested above standard but got low grades and half their class was failing. That can't be the kids. This school needs a major overhaul.. Now in a new school, my kids get honor roll and still test above standards. I personally know many people that chose to home school rather than send their children to this school after seeing it in action.
--Submitted by a parent

I am just amazed that once again the only people that is saying anything about the school is a teacher. So that should tell you right there don't believe what you read. People are still moving off base because the school is so bad or they are driving their children to other schools.
--Submitted by a parent

December 2010 has shown a positive change in Carter Lake. The Special needs team at Carter Lake has been dubbed the "Dream Team". The team is made up of highly educated, motivated, and compassionate professionals. This team works diligently, daily with highly qualified classroom teachers to design the most optimal learning environments for students. Support staff is very approachable and willing to go the extra mile to meet the needs of the students. Be part of the change and come support the efforts of Carter Lake!!!!!
--Submitted by a teacher

This school epitomizes what an All-American school should be. I have worked at over a half dozen schools and this one has the greatest spirit, the greatest staff and the greatest students. Carter Lake Rocks!
--Submitted by a teacher

Special needs program is terrible. Teachers and staff make no effort to communicate with parents, even when communication is initiated by parents. There is not enough help and supervision in the classroom. Negative student to student interaction allowed to continue with no disciplinary action taken. School staff very disagreeable and bad attitude.
--Submitted by a parent

Coming from a high ranked school district in TX, I had my doubts about my above average student enrolling and being happy at this school, especially mid-year. I have been blown away at the transformation my daughter has gone through, she absolutely loves her teacher and her father and I do also. Our daughter is listened to and engaged instead of being held back and discouraged (which her former teacher explained would 'make it easier for her classmates'). I am throughly impressed with the accelerated reading program the teacher has for her, promoting not just above average reading, but understanding ideals and comprehension. Kudos to Ms. Cassel!
--Submitted by a parent

Carter Lake is very disorganized and filled with low quality teachers. The principal called parents to meet in the lunch room to explain that their test scores are at 70% and should be at 90% and thought the parents could work harder at home with their kids. Afterwards the parents got to go to the classrooms to see their kids schedules. 90 min. 'straight'of reading for 1st graders. The reading program is a Dick and Jane like xeroxed program. At least the Dick and Jane books wern't so decodable with pictures and numbers as symbols embedded in the sentences. Most preschoolers and kindergarden kids are above their reading program. Through three unit levels the same words are used but 'one' word is added and one old word is taken away. So, no vocabulary development. The program doesn't follow the natural way of speaking, writing, or reading. 'Mmm Sam I See' What?
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten this year. While this is our first year here, she is absolutely wonderful and we love the reading program that is implemented here. The office staff is wonderful too, and always very helpful. the speech therapist seems to know what she's doing, but my son isn't getting adequate speech services due to her being 'over stretched' with too many students and lack of funding. the other downfall is that Kinder program is only 2.5 hours a day. It is an extremely huge letdown. I'm beyond disappointed in the Kindergarten program. I even thought about going private schooling with my son because of it.
--Submitted by a parent