Underwood Elementary

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

For the average kid who learns in typical ways, this school may be ok. If you need ANY kind of support or accommodation this school will fight you every step of the way.

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: September 24, 2025

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Underwood is one of the most family friendly elementary schools in Raleigh. The building is adorable and the staff are friendly! As a former art teacher myself I can say that the specials (art, music, pe) are excellent. Those programs are what makes a school imho. The families are so welcoming and I love watching my child run into school so happy to get there every morning! We live a mile away so we can’t walk to school- carpool is easy! It’s such a nurturing environment. My student has made many friends, loves her teachers and is growing intellectually at Underwood ES. 10/10 highly recommend.

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: March 29, 2023

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

Posted: February 8, 2020

It is an excellent school, my son studied from 1st to 4th grade and it was excellent my son likes it very much and I recommend it 100% a great job very good teachers, excellent the management team. The electives are very good. It is a very good and excellent school.

Posted: April 4, 2019

We have struggled with getting this assessed and addressed through the school.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Many move into the neighborhood or choose this magnet school because of it's long-standing reputation for academic excellence. We have been impressed with the elective experiences and with the other students. Many of the staff seem incredibly engaged. Unfortunately due to the concerns and experiences mentioned above, which are in stark contrast to our prior school experiences, we have been overall disappointed. We are hopeful that we will find a way to engage with primary teachers and leadership in a more effective way for our child.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Elective teachers have been amazing and engaged however the primary teachers have concerned us in lack of engagement. E.g. one raised concerns about our child's performance by writing them on the classroom assignment then was very difficult to pin down for a time to meet to discuss the concerns and come up with a plan together to help our child better succeed. It is my hope this is an isolated negative experience but given it a year long one at such a formative time it is quite disappointing.

Posted: April 4, 2019

Posted: April 4, 2019

Our child has struggled this year and in attempts to understand why and find solutions we have tried to involve her primary teachers and principal but have not found them to be receptive. The principal seemed to minimize our concerns without fully hearing them and seemed rushed in our brief encounter. The level of engagement was a stark contrast to our experience at a prior school where, despite our child not having any issues that would make her stand out there, the principal seemed to really know and actually care about her. I hope these negative experiences are not indicative of what our children will encounter throughout their years at Underwood.

Posted: December 13, 2017

So far, we haven't seen much in the way of bullying (at least what I have heard about). The school is a really positive place and I think the commitment to Conscious Discipline on the part of the teachers really helps with that.

Posted: December 13, 2017

We have no had very much homework at all, much less than friends at other schools, and in many grades it's optional.

Posted: December 13, 2017

So far (we are in our fourth year at the school), we have had wonderful, experienced teachers.

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

I think so but I don't have first-hand experience

Posted: December 13, 2017

We have two children at the school and have been very happy. The magnet offerings are truly awesome and I'm so happy for my kids that they get to be at this school. Kids in 3-5th can do band or orchestra (4 times a week for the school year your child gets to learn a musical instrument!), all grades have many awesome art, drama, PE and dance classes to choose from, there's a really strong AIG program that reaches many more students than those who are AIG identified, great teachers, and a strong school community. The ranking numbers on this website don't reflect the overall quality of the school (it was a 9 last year) but have to do with improvement numbers, which the school is working on but keep in mind that scores are overall already very high.

Posted: November 15, 2017

We are happy there & planning to stay through her 5th grade year as long as it stays the same or better.

Posted: November 15, 2017

Not much experience with homework yet as our daughter is in 1st grade.

Posted: November 15, 2017

So far so good. Mrs. Davis was fantastic (kindergarten) & her 1st grade teacher seems really good as well.

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Posted: November 15, 2017

Not sure yet. Our daughter is in 1st grade so probably not old enough yet to encounter bullying. I've heard her mention a few things but it sounds typical & not out of control.

Posted: October 26, 2013

I am a grandparent who volunteered for two years in my grandchild's classroom. After seeing up close the dedication and deep daily commitment of both teachers, my view of their character-driven sacrifice for their classes impressed me deeply.

Posted: September 26, 2013

My son hates this school. They are not very nice to their kids. I thought we would be going to one of the best schools but I was wrong. They have very antisocial policy's that cuts children's fun out of their life's. All I wanted is my kid to be happy, and how can he do that in a school that will not let him invite friends to a birthday party. If your new to this school look out your kid will not be happy.

Posted: August 31, 2013

I have a 3rd grader and two 1st graders at Underwood. The principal and teachers are all tenured, dedicated, and passionate about teaching. The electives offered each quarter truly enrich our children's learning and we feel very fortunate that we can attend through the WCPSS Magnet Program. The PTA is very active too!

Posted: April 28, 2013

Underwood is a great school. The chance to take a variety of electives in addition to core classes has really given both of my children a broad education at an early age.

Posted: February 17, 2012

My daughter is first grader at Underwood. We love the teachers, principle and Assistant Principle, and all the awesome electives. They have conscious discipline classrooms and our daughter is thriving at Underwood. All the teachers have been there several years. It is a warm and supportive environment!

Posted: August 29, 2011

The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy, the teachers and staff are top notch. My daughter has had a wonderful experience here. We feel incredibly fortunate that Underwood is our base elementary school.