Clovercroft Elementary School

This school is overrated. Teachers do their best, but aren’t supported by admin. The front office is unwelcoming and difficult. PTO continues to be a parent popularity contest. There is more mean girl drama than with teenagers. There are so many great schools nearby, stay away from this one! Test scores are deceiving compared to the way the parents and students are treated.

This school is amazing. The kindergarten students "mentor" future kindergarten students before they take a ride in a real school bus learning the rules. The learning starts before the first day of school. The principal has been a dream principal for me, knowing every student by name and talking to them each morning. She has handled some tough parent or student issues with grace and professionalism. The school wants students to be good, kind, productive contributors to this world, who make the most of the learning hours. No fluffy birthday cupcake celebrations here - the kids can celebrate birthdays by donating a book to the library, being the first to check it out, having an inscription in the book, and posting a photo in the library. The focus is on learning. I can't imagine paying for a private education when this school consistently scores in the top 1%. The parent involvement is the appropriate level for each grade. I have a 4th grader and 1st grader here, one is a grade level ahead and the other was struggling to get to grade level. They were never aware of this - treated equally and challenged to grow. I work with relocating employees from other states and countries and several of them have chosen Clovercroft. There is a secret formula here that I just can't describe. If another parent calls it a prison (see other review), I call that safety. After the Sandy Hook tragedy, I understood the need for checking visitors in and out. The teachers have been top notch. When I typically ask "which teacher do we want?", most parents answer, "they are all wonderful in that grade." From opening day, I knew Clovercroft had something very special!

This school is entering its 4th year and I have had kids there from the beginning. Sadly, the school is run like a prison. Dropping off keys in the front office along with checking in electronically where you must give your car make/model and take a picture! When I asked why I had to do all of this to volunteer or have lunch with my child (I have already been fingerprinted thru the county and have a badge), I was told that it was county policy. I later found out this was a lie! Clovercroft had volunteered to be a test school for that particular check in application. Any success this school has, and they do get awards, is because of the teachers. They are great! It is amazing that they are able to teach the way they do in such an environment...and you can tell that the teacher's and administration don't gel like they should. There is definitely a separation-not a team or community feel. I gave parent involvement 3 stars because most parents are treated as outsiders, not partners. Teachers are very appreciative (volunteer in the classrooms!), but you had better be more than nice to adminstration and PTO if you really want to get involved. Don't get me wrong, you will be able to volunteer at events where they need 50-100 people. You will be told what to do...they aren't interested in any opinion that you have. The principal has PTO under her thumb and PTO is extremely selective on who they include in their circle. Like the other parent said, Clovercroft is overcrowded and there is no plan to alleviate this problem. Find another 10 rated elementary school in WSC...there are tons!!