Bear Branch Elementary School

Posted: January 1, 2016

There are great teachers here, and not so great teachers here. If you donate $$ and volunteer, your child will be placed with good teachers. I guess that is fair though - if you are not going to get involved or help the school, then why should they help you?

Posted: January 1, 2016

The school expects students to keep track of their assignments, and refuses to share hw info with parents. Teachers do not use webpage etc to communicate with parents, so if you miss class, or your child is confused about what hw to do, they will be left in the dust. It'S great for students who are on the ball, but very frustrating for students who need help.

Posted: January 1, 2016

They have a "first knight" program with virtues like honesty that they work towards. They also have a little pledge in the morning about virtues.

Posted: August 18, 2015

There are a couple of nice and effective teachers, but the majority don't even seem to like children. The attitude, or malaise, displayed by these teachers seems spiteful towards all children and parents. In the middle there a few who try to be nice, just long enough to study for an administration position.

Posted: August 18, 2015

The homework, with one or two exceptions, did little to teach anything. It seemed like busy work with little purpose. I'd rather have seen more reading, which there was little of, or projects that applied the principles taught in class.

Posted: August 18, 2015

The school policies don't promote this environment. There is too much "zero tolerance" for any teachable moments to happen.

Posted: August 18, 2015

BBE focuses a lot on standardized tests and following the rules. Very little emphasis on actual applied learning happens here. This is just one of many example - I went to an open house to see my child's work, meet the teacher, etc. I was shown a math worksheet on "stems and leaves." I asked the teacher to explain it, and she did. I asked her, because it didn't seem at all useful, how would one use it in real life? She said, "I don't know, they just told me to teach it."

My child came to the teacher asking if there was anyone else by the bathrooms? He said that he heard a man's voice and was scared. What did the teacher do? She argued that there was no one there, but NEVER sent someone to make sure no person was in the school!

I've caught the administration telling lies, and caught the teachers violating state policies. They tried to make up excuses, until they found out I was a teacher. As a teacher I am very disappointed in this school. A lot of rules, a lot of testing, very little learning, and even less caring.

Posted: March 24, 2013

BBE is an awesome learning environment for my son. I also like that the school encourages parents to participate throughout the year.

Posted: February 20, 2013

We have been at BBE for 4 years now, my son is about to move into middle school. The teachers have been great, we had one cranky teacher but she has since left the school. Most of my complaints have to do with low funds (lack of field trips, music, computer and art programs are not full year, small and not enough classrooms). There are 28 kids in my childs classroom, it's way too crowded. Two formal parent/teacher meetings a year, in my opinion, are not enough. There are always things a school could work on to improve and I do think BBE is trying. The PTA has a lot of ways to get parents involved in the school. One big way I feel that the school needs to improve is the principal and school counselor. When I tried to reach out to them, neither of them were willing to speak to me unless my child was a trouble maker or had serious learning problems.

Posted: July 23, 2011

My child has been at BB for 3 years and starting his 4th. We've had awesome and concerned teachers. I've had interaction with several teachers and love them all. Most of the critical reviews are old and we don't actually know what the child was like. I have a friend whose child is high strung and won't listen to authority. Does that make the school bad? No. It means you want to school to cater to your child.

Posted: March 7, 2010

We love Bear Branch!!! Great teachers, friendly parents, nice kids. We've been here for 3 years now, loved every minute of it!

Posted: February 25, 2010

Unfortunately we have since moved out of state and have yet to find a school as good as this one. I've read some of the complaints here and must admit I'm shocked! Granted 'some' teachers might be considered 'average' but the overall academic expectations are anything but. We LOVED the Spanish Emersion program and have yet to find its equal. There IS a lot of emphasis on appropriate classroom behavior but having witnessed the alternative enviornment, that's a PLUS in my book! Last but not least, the parent involvement at this shool is excellent and a HUGE part of their success. What I loved best about it was the fact that the teachers actually ecouraged, if not expected it. They were constantly offering opportunities for parents to get involved and encouraged us to participate in classroom activities when it was deemed appropriate. The kids and I absolutely love this school!