West Riverside Elementary School

I enrolled my son in the pre-k program for the 2016-17 school year. Considering the school had no website I was hoping to be informed more during the orientation. The principal Mrs.White gave very basic details about pick ups and drop offs. So after meeting my son's teacher I assumed more information would be coming. I was wrong. The Friday before my son started school I knew nothing and hardly knew how to even pick him up. I was left in the dark about what my son would be doing, when he would eat, and how long he would have recess. The teacher Mrs.Saxton seemed almost annoyed that the parents stayed in the classroom seeming to wait for the same information as myself. I was worried, but told myself it would be okay. I took my son out after a week, and I will list the reasons as follows. In an entire week of school he did not once have recess. He was left sitting in a classroom for 6 hours a day at 4 years old. Second, they without my knowledge or consent served my son a school breakfast. I picked my son up the last day he attended at their snack time before being released. It consisted of High C (22 grams sugar) and a small bag of cookies. He was given candy and animal crackers for compliance though out the day, so he hardly ate the healthy lunch I had prepared. The American Heart association recommends a child only have 25 grams of sugar a day. I was honestly horrified by this school and would absolutely never recommend it.

I agree wgole heartedly with the above review and wish I had the knowledge and ability to remove my child sooner. My child is given sugary snacks and treats daily yet expected to be in the same cramped room with 19 other children for hours at a time. The recess is a joke when she comes from a school that does 3 outdoor recesses daily no matter the weather. This is Florida at least half the day should be spent exploring the outdoors. My child has suffered trauma and it seema they dont care about that and I see how they have completely alienated another "problem" student from his peers all day every day. If the methods are nor effective for just one child why not consider a change in routine? Why are academics so important when developmentally they need something different. Behavior charts need to stop and I am going to the board of education. When you tell a child they have a BAD day with a red sad face it borders on psychological abuse. No one but the parent and teacher should know the progress or lack there of for any child. It is humiliating and ineffective. Please consider less academics and more playful exploration outside. I am moving my child finally but when I met Mr Crux and Dr Johnson last year I was completely sold on this school. My mistake.

My son recently graduated from the pre-k program. Miss Sexton was his teacher and what a wonderful teacher she was for my son. He is now going to the dual-language program and his academics has progressed beyond my and his father's expectations. I was very impressed with the abundance of continuing education that the teachers had put together for the children to continue learning throughout the summer thank you very much for putting the kid's first!

I would recommend west riverside to anyone in search of a school that will both nurture and educate their child. If you are looking for somewhere your child will be able to play all day this is not the place for you, you should find a daycare instead. Both of my children have had Ms.saxton and she is a wonderful teacher. She encourages the children and helps them develop a love for learning. This school as a whole has taught my girls so much and actually travel across town twice a day so my kids can attend.