Lake Bluff Elementary School

Lake Bluff is a truly great, character building school. Principal leads with passion and purpose and his leadership shines through the teachers and kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really sad to hear about the experience of parents who felt like they and their children were treated differently or were unwelcome. I agree it is kind of cliquey on the playground among the parents sometimes. I work full time and am a single mom, and I just don't have time to hang out and chit chat much on the playground, or go to the parents' organization meetings, etc. I think that unfortunately the people who are more down to earth are busy like me and sometimes seemed unfriendly. But over time I have made friends with some families. I have two boys in the school and they both love it. My kids seem to have a real mix of friends and some very close-knit friendships. My older son is in third grade now, and my younger son in K5, and their experience has been really good overall. Teachers who really get to know them, their strengths and weaknesses, and who talk openly with me about how they are doing. They learn a lot, not just academically but about how to be a good person. All in all Lake Bluff is a really great part of our family life.
—Submitted by a parent

we moved here a few years ago, and among the families of our older son's classmates met the people who would become good friends here. yes, on the playground it can seem clique-y, but we have always been treated well by the teachers and have found other parents to get along with. our older son had some behavioral challenges in K5, and the teachers helped us work on those. our child who excels in math has been challenged (the everyday math curriculum 'spirals' so that children review material after a few months. it's a shame a prior reviewer didn't get an explanation from the teachers--you they ask about the material?) also, this school has managed to save art and music for even kindergarten, despite statewide cuts.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a great academic reputation that it doesn t deserve. Having moved to Shorewood two years ago, we are still treated like outsiders. Our first grader had difficulty in reading last year. When we discussed this with his teacher, the response we received was well, he didn t go to Shorewood last year . In addition, the school uses the Everyday Math curriculum. My oldest son stared at Lake Bluff in fourth grade, and as a fifth grader was learning the same thing he was taught in third grade at our failing school in Virginia.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my child into this school because of its academic reputation. As a few others have stated, outsiders are treated differently. One parent spoke to me at the new family picnic. Not one parent, not even the room parents, introduced themselves at orientation. I had to approach them and then was met with an "oh hi." I am insulted that many parents had a problem speaking, but did not seem to have a problem calling my home asking for donations to SEED. And yes, my child was singled out and labeled on the first day of school. Sadly enough, my second child, who does not attend this school, has already been labeled by this same teacher. I'm not so sure the academic education is worth the price of my children's mental stability.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two kids at Lake Bluff and I absolutely love it. My kids are challenged, motivated and encouraged by the principal, teachers and other students. They have a fantastic art and music program, and character education and guidance where they give them real solutions to deal with the challenges they might face. They do their best to break the kids out into smaller groups according to their abilities. My oldest (for whom things come very easily) is involved in enrichment programs like the Spelling Bee, Junior Art Docents, even just extra math and reading to keep her motivated. My younger daughter (for whom things can be a bit more of a challenge) got the help she immediately needed to bring her up to speed with her reading in 1st grade within the first month of school. I love the environment and can't wait for my third daughter to start there!
—Submitted by a parent

I can relate with any parent who is "out of the Shorewood area" We too feel like outcasts and our child is treated like a outsider. This school is very clicky and the teachers are not as welcoming as should be. A very liberal school and does not support individualism. Unless you live in Shorewood, you will not be welcomed.
—Submitted by a parent

Lake Bluff offers a wonderful Character Education program where student-lead assemblies teach various good character traits to classmates (honesty, perseverance, etc.. Also, available is a multi-age classroom as well as the traditional single age classrooms. I cannot speak highly enough about the teachers and principal!
—Submitted by a parent

I can absolutely support the opinion of the parent of the African-American child. I saw this first-hand when my son was in Kindergarten at that place, and was one of the reasons we left. I saw the African-American students, in-district or not, largely ignored by the other students on the playground, and their parents ignored by other parents. I did not want my child to grow up in a setting where some people were not welcomed or included. There is no sense of understanding that exclusion is a form of bullying at that school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was a student at Lake Bluff from Kintergarden to 2nd Grade. We had many challenges with MPS schools so we went as far as to relocate to the district to ensure our son had the best education. As a new African American family to the school and district, we were not welcomed with open arms. When I walked in the door the secretary handed me a 220 application assuming we did not live in the district. This should have been a signal to me. While the education program is great, our family was never welcomed by the other parents and parental groups and our son was treated like he had behavioral problems. He was definatly treated differently by the staff because he was African American. We moved out of state where he has excelled tremendouly (straight A's) and is socially accepted by peers and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to give this school a 2 star rating for the absolute hypocrisy of the teachers, Dr. Juffer, and the Board. My son was in 2nd grade when he asked, 'what does 'I'm working without a contract' mean'? I had no idea what he was talking about. He told me his teacher was wearing a button. I told him, I didn't know, but asked him 'how does it make you feel'? He said, very simply, 'like she is not happy' and 'I don't think she likes being there'. Wow! 'out of the mouths of babes'. Dr. Juffer allowed this. The teachers refused to put any art up on the walls They say they care about education. Hogwash, their benefits exceed 40% of salary, they chose the job, and selfishness is killing this district.
—Submitted by a parent

What a wonderful school this is. They have a character education program that is fabulous and the teachers are excellent. Dr. Juffer loves our kids and it shows in the way the school is run.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a grandparent of 2 Lake Bluff students. The minute you enter the door, you know real education is happening there. Lake Bluff is doing everything right.
—Submitted by a parent

My sons have been at Lake Bluff since last year and I am really pleased with the education they are receiving there. I would recommend the school to others. I really love the teachers and Dr Juffer is fabulous.
—Submitted by a parent

Talking of Lake Bluff school brings an image of a healthy smiling face sometimes playing soccer with the students and sometimes chatting with them with dearness and friendly gestures. I did not believe that this is Dr Kirk Juffer, the principal of the school. But he is. That a principal can be so nice and easy to his students and their parents was not known to me before I admitted my daughters to ake Bluff School. It is such a nice experience to have him as a principal. The teachers are so kind and caretaking in this school that there remains no concern as a parent about the child's well-being and learning. There is a lot of interaction in between parents but there are some who are seriously constrained within their own status or preferences and a smile is reciprocated by a flash which dies away even before you passed.
—Submitted by a parent

I disagree with the parent who says the school is insular. It certainly isn't insular for kids who all seem to find their niche. I am not looking for all of my child's classmates to be her best buddies. The teachers and principal are fabulous at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

It is so much fun going to Lake Bluff every school day. I am a 6th grader at Lake Bluff and have been going to Lake Bluff since K4. My Uncle, Aunt, Father,and older brother have all gone to Lake Bluff and LOVED IT! This year our school got 50 new students and we had a meeting to make sure everyone was welcomed there. We also have Character Education Assemblys. If you are diciding what school to go to I reccomend Lake Bluff!
—Submitted by a student

My daughters had a great year (2005-06). The academic program as well as music and art was great and my kids carry very fond memories of its teachers and principal Dr Juffer.
—Submitted by Vidya Subramanium, a parent

My daughters both went from K4-6th at Lake Bluff elementary and I can honestly say the school was extraordinary. The teachers were talented and devoted; Dr. Kirk Juffer is unique in his personal interest in each student. The atmosphere is nurturing but doesn't stifle wholesome competition; the school spirit is such that the parents are involved in school activities to a remarkable degree. The academics were challenging, but the teachers did not lose sight of the fact that some students needed boosts over adademic hurdles, and this was done in a very positive way. A really examplary school; we were fortunate to find it.
—Submitted by Lori Broderick, a parent

The Principle is wonderful with each child, he is hands on, knows what is going on with each of the children. Dr Kirk Juffers is sincere, tactful and really work hard to make the kids, their families and the teachers into a community family. He is a great man, teacher and example as well as motivator for our kids to achieve their best while absolutely enjoying it and being responsible.
—Submitted by paulina kitcher, a parent