Lean Elementary School

I like that school. So far good experience with teachers. From my perspective I think that parents have to be sure that kids do the reading and practice math at home. We do and we see effects. School offers good software programs to help kids improve.

Our daughter attended Kindergarten through Second grade so far at Pearl Lean. Now that school dismissed for the summer I was disappointed to learn our district decided to send the children in our neighborhood to another school. The teachers in each year were excellent, especially the attention to each child's needs. They were caring in each year and truly excellent teachers. Unfortunately, in this district you have a lot of parents who are not as involved with their students scholastic development as you find in some of the wealthier districts. This detracts and hurts the whole. We met with the principle to discuss items twice, obtaining RAZ kids for our class and the following years class and both times he was extremely professional, accommodating and balanced and went out of his way to assist. There is a problem with overcrowding and thus the need to move our neighborhood's kids to a new school. We are willing to drive our daughter to Lean (no bus offered in this situation) just to keep her in a superior school.

The principal of this school is extremely dismissive and unhelpful if there is a problem with the staff. The staff divulges private information about students to other parents. The principal does not take concerns seriously and does not do his best to protect the best interests of the students. Classes are too large. When there is a problem in class, routine response from teachers is that they can't possibly watch all of the kids all of the time. Constantly watching videos in art, in class, in music, etc. Office staff is rude to children and adults.

I would have given this school at higher rating but we have run into a few problems this past year with the principal that I just can't bring myself to a higher rating. He stands behind the teachers, which is a good thing...but when they're wrong, should make his own decisions. The teachers have always been friendly as well as office staff. They have a lot of students who need additional help and because of that, feel like they don't spend time challenging the brighter children. Lots of parent involvement and contests/asseblies which we liked. Too much fundraising... A nice little school if you want a safe environment with just OK academic options.