Ripley Elementary School

I have lived in Jackson county my entire life until I recently married and moved to Virginia. I attended Kenna Elementary, Ripley Middle, and Ripley High. I had an amazing successful experience at Kenna and had heard less than great things about Ripley Elementary. All of that changed when I was placed there to do my 12 week student teaching. I could NOT have asked for a better learning experience. I was placed with a 'new' teacher whom I worked extraordinarily well with. He just received 'Teacher of the Year!' I also worked with a 'veteran' kindergarten teacher that had a negative reputation. She proved to be the most amazing teacher. I wish I had been in her class 20 years ago. I have learned so much from this school, it's teachers, and it's students. I can only hope one day I can return to this fine, fine school.
--Submitted by a teacher

When my husband's job was relocated, we chose to move to Ripley specifically for the school system and have not been disappointed. Having moved from an extremely small school to a large school my children have thrived and we still have that feeling that our children are greatly cared for and respected. The administration and teaching staff are outstanding, and go above and beyond what they have to. Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Miller, is perhaps the best teacher any of my children have ever had. She makes every child feel special and you can see that they truely enjoy being with her. The special education teacher is also a wonderful asset to our child's education. Kudos to Ripley Elementary
--Submitted by a parent

I'm not from this area and moved here ten years ago. We're not an affluent family. I've had family members in Ripley Elementary for six years and I've found the staff to be extraordinary in their care and capability. They are well-trained, responsive, and compassionate. Ripley Elementary is the reason my husband and I have stayed in the area. Our children are safe, supported, and educated. No matter the background of the child or who the parents are, all children at Ripley Elementary are treated with concern and respect. It's like having a huge extended family taking care of my children.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great with all the children and skilled in helping even difficult children to learn.
--Submitted by Gary, a parent

I totally agree with the other review. I have went through the same things. You have to be born and raised in this town to be included and treated equally. Most teachers who teach at this school graduated from Ripley High, thus knowing most all of the childrens parents and then giving them preferential treatment. Also, students do not learn much, teachers are to into socializing amongst one another and catching up on old times.
--Submitted by a parent

Ripley Elementary is only average, in all courses and extracurricular activities. The teachers are all veterns yes but they can not keep up with all that is new and needs to be done in the classroom. A lot of the teachers take as high as three days off a week, the children usually learn from sustitutes all year. A lot about the way your child is treated also has to do with who you are in the community, or who you know. That is wrong to judge the children on their parents and not intelligence. I have found that the schools outside of Ripley have more to offer, they are Fairplain Elementary, Kenna Elementary, Cottageville Elementary, and Gilmore Elementary.
--Submitted by Bobbye, a parent