Gurnee Schools

[Suburban Gal]

Originally Posted by chet everett

since the Illinois test for elementary schools are so pathetic I would have a hard time allowing anyone to say they are "good" -- basically if the numbers that are not in the high 80's / 90's that is cause for concern.

According to the PDF you posted, the ISAT composite score for Woodland Intermediate is 86. The ISAT composite score for Woodland Middle is 87.

Again, according to the PDF you posted, the ISAT composite score for Gurnee Grade is 89, for O'Plaine is 83, and for Viking (the middle school) is 85.

The 83 and 85 could use a little improvement perhaps, but overall, I'd say the ISAT composite scores are pretty good, as the average ISAT composite score for Gurnee is 86. It could be an 88 or higher I suppose, but 86 really isn't that bad. I'd be much more concerned if it was an 83 or lower.

People have to remember, everyone wants to live and work in Northeastern IL. There's a lot of competition here. Given the current status of the education system as a whole, they're doing as best they can with what funds they DO have and that's all anyone can ask for.

[tchr4lf]

BASED on my experiences as a parent, and my standards as a educator, the Woodland District borders on EDUCATIONAL MALPRACTICE much of the time. If you care about your child's education move, or save up for a private school. I know my remarks are severe and require an example. The following is a snippet of my experience with Woodland Schools.

My son entered First Grade at Woodland, after being at Catholic school, ahead of grade level with invites to gifted programs (the North Western program specifically). By the end of First Grade he had actually DIGRESSED! Throughout the year I went to the school with my concerns and was ignored. His teacher did not know that my field of expertise is ADD/ADHD/BiPOLAR. He diagnosed my son with ADD ask that I put him on medicine. Luckily I knew that my son did not meet the standards of diagnosis for ADD. Knowing the uphill battle I was to face, I took him to a Doctor who sent the school the test result proving he DID not have ADD, yet this was brought up at EVERY meeting and conference for the remainder of the year. The Principal did little to remedy the situation. In fact she was apathetic to the situation. I sent her resources (local experts) for teacher in-service days that might help educate teachers on effective classroom management, gender and learning differentiation. I recieved no response. This is not an environment that is student centered. This corporations is clearly more interested in scoring in the high 90 percentile on a regional test for funding, than they are about the education of their students and the development of their educators. OH AND BULLYING IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

[lakecountylifer]

Originally Posted by tchr4lf

BASED on my experiences as a parent, and my standards as a educator, the Woodland District borders on EDUCATIONAL MALPRACTICE much of the time. If you care about your child's education move, or save up for a private school. I know my remarks are severe and require an example. The following is a snippet of my experience with Woodland Schools.

My son entered First Grade at Woodland, after being at Catholic school, ahead of grade level with invites to gifted programs (the North Western program specifically). By the end of First Grade he had actually DIGRESSED! Throughout the year I went to the school with my concerns and was ignored. His teacher did not know that my field of expertise is ADD/ADHD/BiPOLAR. He diagnosed my son with ADD ask that I put him on medicine. Luckily I knew that my son did not meet the standards of diagnosis for ADD. Knowing the uphill battle I was to face, I took him to a Doctor who sent the school the test result proving he DID not have ADD, yet this was brought up at EVERY meeting and conference for the remainder of the year. The Principal did little to remedy the situation. In fact she was apathetic to the situation. I sent her resources (local experts) for teacher in-service days that might help educate teachers on effective classroom management, gender and learning differentiation. I recieved no response. This is not an environment that is student centered. This corporations is clearly more interested in scoring in the high 90 percentile on a regional test for funding, than they are about the education of their students and the development of their educators. OH AND BULLYING IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

Mrs. G (I won't say her full last name....but she is the Woodland Elementary Principal) is very accessible and has been very accommodating for my family. What if every parent started making demands for the agenda on in-service days because they felt they "knew better"? My friends, neighbors and co-workers all like Woodland. I know very few people who send their kids to St. Pats catholic.

I went through the Deerfield school system and Woodland compares favorably for my kids.

Who are you to make blanket demands on effective class room management, gender and learning differentiation? Where is the outcry from other Woodland parents about this? First I have heard of this complaint.

Whats with the rambling discourse about "the corporations is clearly more interested in the.....?" That makes no sense.

And Bullying is also an issue? What are you talking about? Mrs. G is clearly a caring professional lady and very sweet to the kids---come on. I saw her greet each kid the mornings I dropped my 2nd grader off at the school.

I think you have an unfair axe to grind. Malpractice? Thats just insane.

Finally. You mention your "standards as a educator" I'm not an educator, but isn't it "standards as AN educator?"

[MomtoMal]

Thanks again for all of your comments. I know I will have to look into Woodland Schools soon and determine whether or not we will send our daughter there. If we can't move in a couple of years, and I don't like the schools, I will most likely try St. Joseph's in Libertyville.

[tchr4lf]

Lake County Lifer: I am an Educational Consultant. I was offering my services for FREE. The other parents in my sons class were also outraged and the teacher ended up being removed. No axe to grind. I'm glad you had great experiences. The only thing ensuring school accountability is parent involvement.

MomtoMal: remain open and vigilant, I hope that you and your family have a great experience. I suggest to all parents to know your Educational Law (I.D.E.A. and F.A.P.E. as well as school safety laws).