Cheat Lake Elementary School

Because of various moves, this is the 4th elementary school my 3 children have attended and is the school that I have been most satisfied with. The teachers we have had have been great, some even outstandingly so. Safety and character education are emphasized. The PTO is very active and provides many benefits to the teachers and students (after school foreign language courses, teacher stipends, science fair, special educational visitors, etc.) Their gifted program offers far more than most schools across the country provide. The music teacher is amazing! I'm not completely sold on their math program, it is so different from what I knew. But, it is growing on me. The principal can come across as a bit impersonal at times, but I haven't had any direct problems with her and she runs a 'tight ship'.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is very good both academically and socially. They teach values about life along with their lessons. The teachers are very nice and the work is very advanced. One of the best schools in Morgantown!
--Submitted by a parent

Wow, I must say some of these comments shocked me. I have been at CLES for 4 1/2 years now and have never felt unwelcomed or disappointed. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised at the academic excellence of the school. Moving from a university town in Virginia I was worried about the schools in WV, but now think they are in some respects superior. I feel the staff is working very hard and unfortunately most schools around the country end up teaching to the test. I also believe the administration does a good job at helping out families with difficult situations and work hard at helping when they can. Last school year I even heard reconditioned computers were given to needy families. This is also the only school my children have been at that the principal knows all 600+ children by name! I personally thank our teachers and staff.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to this school for a year and I must say, I am disappointed. The kids are pretty aggressive, even in kindergarten. My daughter is a little shy but has always found it easy to make friends..I noticed she didn't have a single good friend by the end of the year! The girls had their cliques and the teachers really didn't seem to care..Academically also I had always heard rave reviews about CLES..but really I think everything my daughter knows is mainly from what I taught her at home. So I am overall pretty disappointed. A very average school.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, students at CLES are exposed to a wide range of subject matter which is very good but still, the basics of math, English, language arts, spelling rules, etc., need to be taught and reinforced. CLES has an excellent special education program (and teacher) for reading and language arts for 3rd and 4th graders. And, yes, the CLES administration caters to the 'rich and famous.' If your kid has any problem, whether academic or otherwise, if you don't have the right address, you'd better be prepared to fight for your child's rights!
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the comment posted on October 16, 2007. There is no parent support and teachers do not communicate or provide feedback.
--Submitted by a parent

Education content is geared toward Westest. Do not teach the basics. No study tools provided. Parent support for children is very discouraged, feedback is poor. Just a poor exuse for a school
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! caring teachers, great focus on learning, responsibility and fun. We are very glad to have our children at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically this school is pretty good but they do seem to be teaching more for doing well on the standardized tests. Many parents feel that it is lacking in cursive and multiplication skills and seem to feel that teachers expect this to be taught mostly at home and that kids should know it before they come to school. Very snobby atmosphere by the end of 2nd grade. If your child is shy or even just from a middle class family they will not feel welcome at this school. Kids place too much emphasis on the 'right' material possessions and not on personality, which in elementary school is just wrong.
--Submitted by a parent