Some of the teachers at this school were okay, and my son enjoyed a few of them, but others were completely unprofessional. One of his teachers in first grade once marked him absent even though he was present the entire school day. Thankfully, he was switched to another teacher because her classroom student roster was too full.
Another issue we had was with a different teacher in fourth grade who made the students walk outside in 100-degree heat and forbade them from getting water from the drinking fountain. When questioned about it, she defended herself by saying that the students are allowed to and encouraged to carry a water bottle. That kind of policy still sounds unreasonable, in my opinion, especially for young children, that they couldn't immediately fetch water when they were thirsty, during a heat advisory.
On top of that, the front desk staff is incredibly impolite and unhelpful. They are usually rude and dismissive when parents ask for assistance, whether it's something simple like updating an address in the school system or checking out a child early. That attitude feels unnecessary and unjustified and discourages parent involvement in their child's education.
That being said, some of the good staff members are the ones who wait with the kids after school for their parents to pick them up. One time, my child was at the school for an hour past the end of the day because my husband had accidentally overslept from [work] exhaustion, and I was at work but they kindly gave me a call so I was able to temporarily excuse myself from work and rush to the school to get him. The staff members who stayed with him were sympathetic and kind, which I truly appreciated.
Another major concern is the behavior of several parents at this school. Many are sordid, disrespectful, and seem to lack basic care for their children. It's shocking to see children as young as six years old walking home alone. Additionally, the school's parking lot is extremely unsafe for pedestrians, making pickup and drop-off a stressful and hazardous experience, as you can witness hasty parents in vehicles attempting to run over any pedestrians delaying their departure. On top of that, both students and parents frequently show a complete lack of manners, and even basic literacy skills in conversation seem to be lacking at times.
Beyond that, safety at the school is a serious issue. I've received reports of suspicious vehicles monitoring the school, which is deeply concerning. To make matters worse, the high school next door once had a knife fight incident, which only adds to the overall feeling that this school is not a safe environment.
Because I feared for my child's safety, before he entered 5th grade, I requested to transfer him to another elementary school through open enrollment. I also intend to keep him out of this area of schools (Greer Elementary, Katherine Johnson Middle, and Encina High) until he graduates to ensure his safety and that he receives an adequate education in a healthier environment.
There are definitely some caring and responsible staff here, but the lack of accountability from certain teachers, the unprofessional front desk staff, the unsafe parking lot, and the overall disregard for safety and respect from many of the parents make it hard to fully recommend this school. read more