Ruthlawn Elementary School

This is my 4th year at Ruthlawn Elementary. I am a very involved parent and have always felt welcomed. The school has a small-community atmosphere and my kids are very happy there! There is a high importance placed on academic achievement and I would recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Not impressed with this school at all. No one ever checks your ID when picking up your child or even asks who you are. Also my childs teacher uses inapporiate language all the time during class we will transferring schools next year.
—Submitted by a parent

my grandson did great his first 2 years, then his 3 year he started not wanting to go to school, crying wanting us to walk to the class room with him, and that did not go over with the school, they would meet us at the door and drag him down the hall to his class room he would try to hold on to me crying wanting me to walk him to his class room. I talked to his Dr. he said he did not understand why we could not walk him to his class room and gave me a written not saying so. and my lawyer all so. and I do not like how some of the children are treated at that school. thank you for letting me do a review :)

This is a school whose philosophy is to care for the whole child. Many wonderful opportunities are available for the students to excel, through using the modality in which the child can learn better, opportunities available at no other school in the county (such as a Science Technology program), and with an emphasis on a worldwide, global connections. Our school community is diverse in its heritage, socio-economic levels, and in having high expectations. It's been a WV Exemplary School since 2008, an honor that includes only the top 10% of the schools in the state and must be earned yearly. The school, which involves the students, the staff, and the community at large, expects the best.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is nothing like it used to be. I no longer feel my child is safe in this school and the atmosphere is toxic!
—Submitted by a parent

this school lacks in more than one way. Ive had to quit my job due to the fact they cant make arrangements for my adhd son. Kicking him in and out of school, they see him as being bad rather than having adhd (at 5, so young) I am now on standby 24/7 beside the phone waiting for the words come get him, the days they send him home, are held against his otherwise good attendance :( Very Unsatisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

We absolutely love Ruthlawn! My daughter started second grade at Ruthlawn in the fall of 2004-2005 and we are very pleased. She is getting a wonderful education and is doing very well academically. The principal, Mrs. Laliberty, and all the teachers do a fantastic job. She has had a very good experience both years and has had excellent teachers. There are also alot of wonderful parent volunteers. The new computer lab is fantastic, and my daughter loves it! We are so lucky to have found a school as wonderful as Ruthlawn. She is learning far more than what can be taught from a book, and we are thankful for that. Crystal Ramsey
—Submitted by a parent

Our son attended Kindergarten at Ruthlawn Elementary during the 2004-2005 school year and had an outstanding experience in Mrs. Meadows class. We moved him to the school in October 2004 after an unpleasant experience at another school. Everyone at the school was warm, caring and very supportive and as a result he was able to transition almost seamlessly into the school and have a positive experience the remainder of the school year. We have since moved from the area due to job relocation and unfortunately have not found the same to be the case with his new school. We can t say enough about staff at Ruthlawn...they really care about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Ruthlawn is a wonderful school! Our children are so happy here. They are both getting excellent grades and are learning so much more than just academics. They are learning about life, caring, and compassion, as well. We have an excellent counselor, Mrs. Wickert and the teachers seem to really care about the students. My children look forward to going to school now. With the new principal, they have new, fun and exciting projects and events going on. The school really feels like a family. Alot of people look solely at test scores and any educator can tell you that is not the only important thing. At Ruthlawn, we have ABOVE average test scores AND a great environment for building self-esteem and learning about others. Those are the tools a child needs to be successful in life, and I know my kids are getting that at Ruthlawn.
—Submitted by a parent

My younger daughter is in kindergarten at Ruthlawn this year, and we all love the school. Every member of the staff that we have encountered has been friendly, helpful, and above all open and willing to communicate. Parents and families are encouraged to be actively involved in every child's educational experience, and I feel welcome and comfortable at the school. Communication is excellent; my questions are answered quickly, thoroughly and happily. Though I have an older daughter who is preparing to enter high school, I have never encountered a school this dedicated to meeting the needs of students, parents and families. Ruthlawn is fantastic!
—Submitted by Valerie Sanders, a parent

Both of our children attend Ruthlawn Elementary and are new students this year. They have been treated like they have always been there and not singled out as the 'new kids on the block'. I am greatly impressed on the leadership and the highly skilled teachers. They work hard to bring out the best in each child. Our school has a circular driveway and our children think it is so special that the principal, teachers, and janitors all help the children out of the car in the mornings and see they are safely in the school and safely to their parents cars or the buses in the afternoon. We appreciate the staff for their hard work, concern and love for all the children in the school. Our experience this year have been expectionally good at Ruthlawn. We look forward to 5 more great years to come.
—Submitted by Michelle Thompson, a parent

My family loves this school. We have a new principal who is very motivated and excited about bringing new ideas and information to the parents and staff. Our teachers are doing a wonderful job of teaching and nurturing my children. I am a County school employee as well and have worked in at least 12 area schools and can honestly say our school ranks with the best. We have a new up-to-date computer lab and a new technology teacher that has been hired by the PTO. Parents are welcome at any time and encouraged to volunteer. The PTO is actively involved. Most importantly, my children. who are in 1st and 3rd grade, are very happy and are doing very well academically and socially. This is a great school if you are interested in raising a caring, well-rounded child.
—Submitted by Kristi Nagy, a parent

I love Ruthlawn Elementary! I have had the oppurtunity to visit numerous schools in Kanawha County, and I feel that Ruthlawn is by far the warmest, friendliest atmosphere I have seen. Parents are welcomed with open arms and included in all facets of the school. The self-assurance and pride my son has in his school can only be instilled by a caring, nurturing staff. He loves school (and he is not that I love school kind of child). Test scores only provide one indicator of a schools success, the environment that is established to make children feel valued, safe and acceptant of others is far greater an asset they will be able to use throughout their life than a 98% achievement on the westest math section!
—Submitted by a parent

Great thing are going on at Ruthlawn Elementary. The principle Mrs. LaLiberty is doing an oustanding job & the teachers always do an excellent job. My children have had Mrs. Meadows, Mrs. Raby & Mrs. Browning and we have loved them. All three teachers are great and my children love them! Cathy Sizemore is the secretary and she does a wonderful job! Our computer lab should be up and running very soon and it is going to be awesome for the kids. Ruthlawn's website is really informative and easy to use. I am really pleased with the education and the quality of Ruthlawn's teachers and staff.
—Submitted by Scott Robinson, a parent

Ruthlawn is a small close knit school. We have a new principal (2nd year) she is helping this school grow by leaps and bounds. The cirriculim is improving and the technolgy is catching up to par. We have a major problem with parent invovlvemnet and could use some extra help from the community as well. Overall I feel that we are on track with teachers and class instruction. We still have room to grow through PTO.
—Submitted by a parent