Is West Lake Elementary a good school? (daycare, how much)

[Love to travel]

Does anyone go to West Lake elementary or have information on whether it's a good elementary school? I've looked at the stats on the Wake Co school website but would like some input from parents whose children attend there. Thanks.

[NewUser]

I'm interested in learning this also. Our son currently goes to Yates Mill, but we are thinking of switching to year-round and West Lake ES or Middle Creek ES are our closest options. Any input on Middle Creek would also be appreciated.

[LesBaer45]

Both of my girls attending West Lake, last one left two years ago. I'd say we were satisfied with the school and the teachers. They did a good job and we never had any "issues" with the school. As far as public school in Wake County goes, we were pleased.

Can't speak to how much / if it's changed in the last two years. Teachers/administrative staff do move around and curriculum does change over time.

[Love to travel]

Thanks Les.

[Funky Chicken]

My daughter currently attends WLES. We are very happy with her teachers, the support offered to her directly in occupational therapy (she has fine motor challenges that impact her writing abilities), and the general school environment.
We have neighbors who have been less pleased with their particular child's experience with other teacher(s) but that situation is not unique to WLES and I do not think that an incompatible child/teacher combo can be avoided simply by changing schools. I'll also say that the biggest complainers about the school also complain about everything else thay can think of-there is a DNA component inherent in some people that make them serial complainers.
To a strong degree, what your child gets out of school is shaped by the parents' support/involvement no matter what school they attend. That said, we have no interest in changing schools. I have a very strong belief that bouncing your kids from school to school is highly detrimental-possibly moreso than leaving them in a school that is not the absolute highest rated choice.

[DPPWUS]

I have a child at WLES and we have been very pleased with the quality of the teachers at every level from K through 3rd grade. I have heard very few "rumblings" from other parents and as someone said, those rumblings tend to come from folks that like to complain about everything. The PTA has increasingly improved each year and the school events and fundraisers are well attended by what seems like a really good group of parents. We moved close to this school on purpose because it is year-around and the middle and high schools are all within walking distance of this school and of one another and the surrounding neighborhoods. I too have heard good things about Middle Creek ES and the same type of "complainers" have moved their children from WLES to MCES and visa versa.

We have particpated in "lunch bunch" and volunteered from time to time in other capacities in the classroom, at field day, etc and have always found the school to be very appreciative and welcoming of parent participation.

Our son has done very well at WLES - has tested high in the standard tests, has participated in many extra activities such as chess club, science fair, before school jump rope and running contests and has met many wonderful friends.

If I were to complain about anything, I think the playground, while improved and with some new equipment, could use additional upgrades - especially to the landscape where there is very little grass as what was there has been worn to the point where there are expansive areas of only hard clay.

The school itself appears clean and kept up with in terms if paint etc, but the caf and gym could use some updating. (Both get lots of use)

There is a YMCA before and afterschool program right at the school that has received mixed reviews - specifically around the lack of a formal structure for the kids.

I hope all that helps.

[NewUser]

Originally Posted by DPPWUS

There is a YMCA before and afterschool program right at the school that has received mixed reviews - specifically around the lack of a formal structure for the kids.

Thanks for all the good info DPPWUS.

I was actually just sitting here researching the before and after school programs, so this was timely advice.

It looks like the before and after school programs for both Middle Creek and West Lake are run by the YMCA. At Yates Mill they are run by WCPSS. Some days I see craft projects brought home, some days they are on the playground, and others I see that they've done extra assignments in workbooks not from class. The only problem that I've seen is my son bringing home some colorful language from the older children.

The cost for the WCPSS programs seems to be cheaper than the YMCA programs.

[DPPWUS]

Our experience with the Y was definately mixed and we ended up switching to a private after school program. We felt the cost of the Y was definately reasonable but our son was coming home covered in dirt because they were letting the kids dig and do whatever they wanted outside, help with and time dedicated to homework was very inconsistent, the badge programs were never really followed and he was very unhappy in the track out program.

On the positive side, albeit young, the staff was always engergetic and good to the kids. They hold family nights from time to time that we enjoyed and if you are a member of the Y, you do get a discount on the afterschool program.

[NewUser]

Originally Posted by DPPWUS

Our experience with the Y was definately mixed and we ended up switching to a private after school program. We felt the cost of the Y was definately reasonable.

My calculations say $5000/year for before/after school programs + track out. That's $400+ per month

We're currently paying less than $2500/year for WCPSS before/after-school care + a local private daycare during the summer.

Most of this cost savings is because WCPSS and the private daycare allow us to only pay for 3 days/week (wife works part-time). The YMCA does not and you have to pay for the whole week.

I'd hate to turn down the opportunity for our son to attend Middle Creek, but is the extra $200+ a month to attend the YMCA programs worth it? Sounds like you say "no".

[gunni]

YMCA after-school and Track-out programs are discounted if you participate for the entire school year vs. pick and chose few weeks separately. For eg. it used be 150/wk if you chose weekly option, but if you signed up for the entire year and do a auto debit option, it is much less. Registration is usually done in Feb/Mar.

In our experience, it was cost effective to get a Y membership just for the discounted rates, and it costed us way less than 5k for 2 kids.