VOE is by far the most terrifying elementary school. It looks like a normal school but the facade is the problem. The bullying problem has never and may never be addressed. IT IS COVERED UP! They will say things like the bruises and cuts are accidents. I heard a student this year was given pee in a bottle as a "joke", and another little girl had thoughts of self harm, she is 7 years old. I know they worry more about the way they look then how they actually are. They are not taking the bullying seriously and it's scary. This school needs to be accountable and have the students back when they notice this. The problem is they are oblivious to what is going on. My daughter no longer attends and she was ridiculed daily and depressed. She has a long road ahead and it's because voe victim blamed her. The school needs to be investigated. If you had a similar problem comment please.

This school is incredible. The principal Julie Payne genuinely cares about the students as individuals and has a background in special education. My kiddo is in the SCLC special education classroom. Her intervention specialist Tori Colles is wonderful. She also really cares about these kids and works hard to help them. I’m just really grateful for them both. I highly recommend this school if you are looking for a great elementary school for your children.

The school and admin are great, they are always helpful to guide me with any issues I have, if any. They offer great advance programs, which keeps my student engaged and excited to learn. Also, the teachers are very helpful and you can see the level of care they have to ensure the students are actually learning the material they are teaching.

Excellent School. My boys love their teachers and their friends. Instilling strong values and a passion for learning are the core strengths of this school.

My son attends this school and having worked in education previously, I believe the school excels in many areas but also has some room for improvement. I believe most of the teachers and staff are genuinely invested in their students. However, it does feel from my perspective that there is a lot for teachers to manage that makes differentiation in the classroom challenging. A lot of the differentiation in work comes in difference of worksheets or tablet work but not with much instruction from the teacher. If a classroom is in need of extra hands, they’ll rotate in a support staff member but some of the students are really in need of a paraprofessional full time to help the classroom environment be safe and productive for everyone. My son’s teacher has even admitted that she hasn’t been able to do certain instruction with my son that she wanted too because she had her hands full with one other student who takes up a lot of her attention. I do like the events for families. The PTO and school do a great job at putting together ice cream socials, All Pro Dads, Book Fairs, Open Houses, Carnivals, etc. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see our children in their element! I also quite appreciate much of the safety precautions in place but do wish car line had more precautions in place to ensure children are getting in the correct vehicle such as matching tags or something of the sort. Also, there are often children running through the parking lot to get to school and in the hustle and bustle of drop off, an attendant in the front small parking lot could help ensure their safety. Overall, I believe the school is above average. I believe the faculty and staff do a great job with the resources available. My son does enjoy going to school and he has learned some great lessons.

There are a few gems. Overall I think the concern is focused on making students fit a box & test scores for stats. Having a child with special needs, my experience has been a struggle & a fight. It took A lot to get a 504 plan in place. There was push back the whole way. The school year was more than half over. Asked several times to meet in person with my student after complaints, mostly related to focus & disability. The principal refused but in parent teacher meetings they wanted the student there to hear all the negative. In a previous parent meeting, a teacher made a disparaging comment to my student. The other two teachers just sat there. Not going to put my students through that. The response was to have the teacher call me. I am told the teacher continues to make examples and makes negative comments which adds to the stress of being perceived as different. The teacher also chuckled at a new hair cut. Not everyone learns in the same way or has the same abilities but my child can learn and is super smart just not nuro-typical. I’m not finding it’s the positive environment or education that “shapes instruction to build on the strengths and abilities of each child”. I’d like that instruction please. I do have to say the special Ed Dean is great but feel there is admin. push and pull behind the scenes - just a hunch. PTO meetings are still on-line. That makes it hard to connect. I’ve gone to several PTO events and seen no-one. Gone to sports and no-one wants to talk even in breaks. It’s just- hey are you with Peak- yeah. Where’s the community? The carpool line is insane, often taking 20-30 + minutes. Lots of communication about not coming early so there a mad rush during the window. There have been issues with my work because of long carpool times. I asked in the office for options and was told I could pay money to try to have the “skip the carpool” lotto that I might get or not. For working single parents using a late lunch for pick up, it is really challenging especially when there’s a commute. The only answer is pay more money, Rather than walk up. On a single income. I get they can’t make an exception for everyone. There really is no understanding and sometimes the office staff are just really short. Point being that people do make sacrifices to have their children go to what was is billed as an exceptional school and I’m just not seeing the care or community or the character that is expected from the students.

APBS provides a great learning environment for the students and with classes ranging from 6 students to 15, the teachers are able to provide attention to all students as opposed to a public school setting with 20+ students in each class. I taught there for 4 years and I continually work there as a substitute teacher and I see the joy in the staff, students, and teachers making it for a great learning experience on a daily basis.

I don’t know who writes a 5 star review here, but they are either staff or part of the backstabber crew. This staff doesn’t nurture anybody. If you buck the system, they tell you to leave! YES, that’s right. They have no problem telling you to find another school, and if you do, they sabotage your child’s review. They do not care about security or bullying. They will try to flip the situation back on you, calling you a liar right to your face. The priest is NO MAN OF GOD! What he says and does reminds me a a WOLF in SHEEPS clothing. Definitely a snake in the grass! Kids are not safe here. Education isn’t worthy of the grade. If you’re a sheeple, you will be welcomed with open arms. Question the staff and you’re ousted… Stay Away! Better options in PUBLIC SCHOOL… Sad, I know of 5 families leaving after this year!

A great school with caring teachers that go above and beyond to ensure their students succeed in all areas. The small family environment makes children feel supported and gives them an opportunity to express themselves. The teachers are loving and helpful and the students are kind and respectful. I am so grateful for this school!

We love St. Mary's. Our kids started attending after Covid and this year will be three years. My son is in first grade and probably reading at a third grade level. With the exception of one or two, the teachers we've had have been great. The preschool teachers are amazing, very caring. There is a strong sense of community, high patent involvement and the principal has always dealt with issues in an appropriate manner. I'd highly recommend St.Mary,'s.

I love this school, is safe place, very organized, high discipline, teachers and staff are very supportive.

My Grandson attends this school I visited once to bring him and his class a snack. The office staff made me feel as if I didn't belong his teacher was the same I've never been to a school and felt so uncomfortable I know it's a language barrier but friendly and smiling faces all say the same thing. This is an MPS school and everyone no matter what race or color of your skin should be treated equal and in my experience the whole time my Grandson has been attending this school his experience hasn't been the best. He wanted to learn another language he chose Spanish he's doing awesome even with all the unfair treatment and not being recognized for his achievements as the other students his Mom continues to try and be involved with the staff and to no avail its mostly fails and discouragement. She motivates my Grandson every morning to get him to go to school and be the best he can be no matter what!

My 2 cousins when there. From day 1, my cousin's where harassed. It took 3-4 weeks to get everything straightened out with the principal, students, teachers and my cousin's all do to calling seriously bad names and racism. Oldest cousin that when there was Autistic. Anyways my cousin's don't attend this school anymore and the school secretary says I have to be locked into this school until a notice of the kids attend another school. I'm responsible for tuition, broken laptops, and I'm not there mother. The secretary thinks she's a boss there, so she makes all decisions.

This school needs better staff members, even in the office. They discriminate against the students and at this point promotes violence. The principal and definitely the assistant principal plays a part in this. Most of DeKalb, IL school’s discriminate against students and I’ve witnessed it. This school is the first one that promoted violence along with the discrimination.

My son just started and was bullied by other students within the first couple of weeks. The principal is a very mean man who was extremely disrespectful to me and my son. The special education teachers are not compassionate whatsoever. He has now been there 5 months and not only is he being bullied by his classmates but he is also getting bullied on the bus by high schoolers. I have called the school and nothing is done. My son is slowly going downhill but I can't send him anywhere else.