Ridgeland Elementary School

I worked as a teacher at this school for at least two years before retiring at the end of the year. I was in total disbelief at the inappropriate conduct displayed by the students and the chaotic atmosphere in the classrooms. Everyone from the principal to the administrators at the district office work separately from each other therefore creating a very disorderly and disorganized atmosphere. The majority of the students who attend this school cannot read. There is no support from the special services department. Very seldom, did I observe anyone from this department in the classrooms to render support. I am thrilled to be out of this school district. I can thoroughly understand why this district ranks at rock bottom on test scores in South Carolina and will continue to do so.

This school fails academically, safety wise, and socially. Teachers are made to "teach to the state tests", which leaves little time for teaching the basics. Unless you are capable of teaching your own children, at home, on top of what they get at school, your children will fall greatly behind. Anti-bullying laws are ignored, so each time your student attends class, they will be hit by other students. There is no discipline for the children causing the problems. A blind eye is turned to these incidents. It's just a matter of time before you have a "Columbine" situation at this school. The students run the school. These children are set up to fail. If you value your children's safety, and academic training.......find another school district, or homeschool your children....

I think you have to take into account the population that this school is educating. This is a TItle I school, so that is already a challenge. But the poverty at this school, even in comparison with other Title I schools, is staggering. There is a new principal there and new curricula is being implemented this year. In addition, they have implemented a school-wide discipline policy that seems to be working much better for these students. Also, some of the parents at this school can be as challenging as the students. There are many parents who even provide teachers with disconnected numbers or wrong numbers. Considering all of this, I think the school is doing much better than what others are saying. At least, give the school a couple years under the new leadership, before we judge them so harshly.

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