Brookdale Elementary School

As a mom of students who have attended Brookdale for a while now I must say that it seems like there is way to much pressure on learning for the WASL rather than learning for life. I feel academics are very important but I would have to say that so is the fun of being a child. The staff is fantastic don't get me wrong. I just feel that schools now days are more worried about numbers than the days when parents were in school when the worry was teaching kids to be successful. There is a decent amount of parent involvement when the call goes out.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not impressed with this school. My daughter is in her second and last year at this school and we have not been happy. They do still have a music program but like much of the staff she has been doing things the same way for more than 15 years and sees no need for change. Some teachers do not want parents in the classroom at all. I prefer a school that welcomes parent involvement. If academics is your only concern than its an ok school, but if you want your child t fell safe and cared for do what I did and find a new school
--Submitted by a parent

I am a single mother of 4 girls all of whom have attended Brookdale (3 of whom still do). Two of my children have serious learning disabilities. The teachers and staff at Brookdale have been amazing!! I never worry if my children are achidemically on target or retaining important information. I know that my girls will be properly prepared to move on to the next fase of their education.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has gone here for three years and the first year her teacher was horrible,the next year her teacher was better...this year the teacher is great! I would say that the school means well and is trying to improove things..and they have. Someimes I have just found their way of dealing with issues that arise among the children to be well...less than sensitive.
--Submitted by a parent

my children have been going here for the last 6 years. if you get a chance have you child go to mrs carey's class she is one of the best teached i have ever saw. i am in the military and i had to leave for a few months during the school year. my daughter started having a hard time in one of her subjects. Mrs Carey took her personal time and stayed in contact with me by email about helping my daughter out and her progress. She is the greatest. They also have a great gym teacher how takes personal interest in all the students. he is also involved in the PTA activies. The PTA is also very interested in he school and tries to do activies for the children all school year.
--Submitted by Sarah Kimble, a parent

This is a great school. We sent our daughter there not having any preschool or headstart. She left Kindergarten being able to read just about any word we asked her. She may not have known the meaning, but she could sound it out. Her math was great as well. Her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hoseth is atruly amazing teacher. She is patient with the kids and they all love her. The PTA is very involved and the school expects the parents to take a role in their childs education. The library staff is outstanding and they still have a music program. We are sorry that we are moving out of state. We may have only been Bobcat's for 1 year, but it was a great year.
--Submitted by Robert Smith, a parent

This is my child's first year, I'm glad he did not start here, this School is not understanding I feel his teacher is inexperienced, has no concept of real life, demanding, try's to bully, humiliate and embarrass, the student in front of the other kids to get them to do home work. The school takes no leadership in discipline, instead of time out's or sending the student to the office, they send white slips home and thinks you are going to do something 5 hrs. after the fact (by that time the student does not even know what they have done), the school thinks the parent should all the work.
--Submitted by a parent

When my six year old started school last fall at Brookdale Elementary; I hadn't mention to his teacher about him knowing how to read. The teacher eventually found out within a month. As a result he was put into the first grade reading group. He would come home every week with his assessment test and the grades are outstanding. Every where we go he would read every single word, and I would say to myself that I know he doesn't know that word, and it amazes me that he does. The teachers from (K) and (1st)grade are great and I am so thankful for teachers like them.