Charles Barnum School

Posted: May 11, 2020

The teachers care about there students. They are kind and supportive. They work with students at their own pace rather than over whelming them.

Posted: May 11, 2020

They have monthly assemblies where they talk about character development. The students and staff are both involved in planning these events. The students have a great time with it!

Posted: May 11, 2020

The principal Mr. Danner is great. He is always involved with the kids and runs before and after school programs. The vice principal Mrs. Post is not my favorite person. The office secretary Becky needs to treat parents and staff with kindness. She is the face of the building and should act like it.

Posted: May 11, 2020

The special services teacher is amazing. She is kind, loving and very patient. She makes modifications as needed for my student to ensure that he is successful. The teachers are great about forming small learning groups in the classrooms for those that need or want a little extra help.

Posted: May 11, 2020

Sadly my son dealt with one bully for a couple of years. I talked to the teacher but nothing happened. It want until I made it extremely clear to everyone that this student couldn’t be in the same class as my son that they finally separated the two.

Posted: May 11, 2020

They give the just right amount of homework. They keep it on topic and there is only about 15 minutes of homework and nightly reading.

Posted: May 11, 2020

Overall, my kids have loved this school and I can say that I am glad they are there.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Compared to schools south of the Mason-Dixon line; yes!

Posted: September 30, 2019

Yes, when it is written in an email to the Vice Principal and the teachers. Put everything in writing. There is a school psychologist to help too.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Mr. Sabilia is the best 5th grd teacher a student could ask for. He prepares his class to be ready for middle school next year by mentoring on what is expected of them. His classroom is about more than teaching to a test.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Yes, there is a PBIS program implemented. It's only a few of the paras hired early in the school year every school year that are lacking on character development. Usually they are weeded out by the end of the year because they do not last long in their jobs.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Ms. Post is a Vice Principal that is available to parents whenever they want to discuss their student, or have an issue that needs to be resolved. I've heard the Principal, Mr. Danner, made appearances during the school day, but he is not available to the parents and rarely seen unless there is a special program happening.

Posted: September 30, 2019

As with any school, there are those that are great at their jobs and want to be there, and those that are there just for a paycheck. Thank you to the teachers and admin that helped and guided our family, and let us know their doors were still open if needed; even after we left the school.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Homework is not given just to have busy work. The minimal amount of homework given is within the guidelines. Plus, there is no empirical evidence of homework being productive in the elementary grades.

Posted: August 8, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2019

As so many others have already stated, the principal does nothing about the bullying problem at that school. I spoke to him about a situation that happened on the bus between my son and another student immediately after it happened. He looked at me as if I was being ridiculous for even bringing it up and the problem continued to the point that I was forced to rearrange my schedule so that I could drop and pick my son up from school. We also moved after that school year. Also, two of the kindergarten teachers seemed to have an "Us vs Them" mentality when it came to dealing with the parents. They were also best friends with each other, go figure. I rarely felt heard or I started to distrust them after a period of time due to false accusations they made that turned legal. That's another thing, after talking among other parents, I learned this school is very DCF happy. Ridiculously so. Academically alone, it's a great school. It's just not enough to make it a great school altogether. Now that our family has been to two other great schools where the teachers and parents are respectful and supportive of one another, I'm even more disgusted with Charles Barnum.

Posted: August 8, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2019

Overall, the school is wonderful academically but there needs to be better parent-teacher communication and support.

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: February 13, 2019

Love it and so does my son!!!

Posted: February 13, 2019

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Close to the Navy base and Navy Youth Center, also offers great after school care through Treehouse.

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: May 12, 2017

Reading log every night is tedious and not necessary

Posted: May 12, 2017

Horrible climate of bullying special needs children!!!

Posted: March 19, 2017

As a parent, I couldn't ask for better teachers and staff. The school isn't flashy or new, but inside, you'll find genuinely caring individuals who want to make sure each and every child gets what he or she needs. My two children love the school and take advantage of so many of the added programs. This school wasn't our first choice when we moved to the area. We fell for the appeal of one of the new magnet schools first. Unfortunately we wasted our time with the magnet school, but when we got to CB we were so relieved to find it. I'm happy with the academics, extra curricular programs, the teaching styles, and support staff. All of which, I'm sure helped them to receive their Blue Ribbon Status.

Posted: March 19, 2017

Posted: March 19, 2017

Posted: March 19, 2017

Posted: March 19, 2017

The standards are high in these regards. Especially in their after school clubs.

Posted: March 19, 2017

My children have very attentive teachers. On several occasions they have needed extra support with a subject or a behavioral habit. Their teachers have been quick to recognize and respond each time.

Posted: March 19, 2017

Homework is not an every night task and I appreciate that when my 5th grader does get a homework assignment, it's not pointless busy work.

Posted: August 20, 2016

The teachers are communicative with the parents and want the parents to be involved in their child's learning and in the school itself.

Posted: August 20, 2016

The school focuses on encouraging and promoting positive behaviors. The children are recognized for their positive behaviors. If they act inappropriately appropriate consequences are given.

Posted: August 20, 2016

Charles Barnum is surrounded by Navy housing, and they make a wonderful effort to involve the families and make each child feel welcome. From the principal to the teachers, to the front office staff, I have had a wonderful experience having both of my children in the school from kindergarten to 5th grade. The staff is responsive to parents' concerns and will work with the children individually to ensure they are achieving at the best of their abilities. Chorus and band and other extra activities offered helped my children to have an enjoyable school year as well. I highly recommend this school!

Posted: May 26, 2016

Unfortunately, this school has become a breeding ground for bullying. This is something that has really gotten out of hand an has not been addressed properly. The front office isn't really welcoming at all. No matter how happy you may walk in there, they (mainly the lady with the short black hair, bangs and wears glasses, she seems to be the leader and everyone just tiptoes around her) blatantly let you know that they don't want to "deal" with you. It wasn't like this last year. I don't know what happened. It's really disheartening to feel unwelcome at the front door.

Posted: May 26, 2016

Posted: May 26, 2016

Posted: May 26, 2016

Posted: July 8, 2013

Wow! I'm shocked at the low school rating. This school is top notch. When we moved here from California, our daughter hadn't been taught fractions yet, at Charles Barnum, they were already in review on the subject. I feared that my daughter was going to struggle, but she had individualized help to get her caught up. It was quick and my daughter had no complaints. in just a couple months she was on par with the rest of her incredibly tiny class of 19. She went here for 2 years and the only issue I can think of is the pick/up drop/off situation and the lack of ac, but none of the schools here have it. Tons of parents are super involved (over-involved in my opinion) and there is zero tolerance for bullying. We were super happy.

Posted: October 12, 2012

I started going to Charles Barnum when I was in 2nd grade.... The place was amazing to go to as a navy brat.Summer fun was held there,NCYFL Football practice,Movies on weekends w/ pop corn, games.. Mr grimes, Mrs cyder..wow...the memories.R.I.P. Mr cunnigham will never forget when he passed the best (custodian)... Mrs. Appacelli too..! Charles Barnum is full of nice memories and I learned alot in this school

Posted: March 15, 2012

my child just transfered to this school-since this schools ranking is higher than the other Groton schools i wanted my child to attend this school- then over time i noticed that this school favors girls and they react on hear say from the students- i've called the school a couple of times to tell them my concerns and i'm rushed off the phone by Mrs. Nelson or over talked by his teacher-if you have a daughter this school is the one for you. also my child was called a derogatory name which i addressed to the school and they did nothing about it- a staff member said something that hurt my child feelings i called the school and was told that"that doesn't sound like something she would say" are you kidding me you didn't even ask the staff member before even responding-this school is not all that it's cracked upto be!

Posted: March 10, 2012

My daughter has been attending Charles Barnum for the last year in the integrated PreK program after being diagnosed with developmental delays last year. From the moment you walk into the school, you immediately feel welcome. The office staff has always been very friendly and knowledgeable and actually remembers which child is yours. My daughter's teachers and aides have been wonderful. So kind, patient, and encouraging which has been reflected in how well my daughter has made considerable improvement with her delays. My only minor annoyance is setting up some of her special education services. The school has one occupational therapist assigned to two schools in the district, but is only at CB once a week. I had to stay on top of the process for having my daughter evaluated for her OT. That, I feel, is fairly typical for special education services at most schools. Other than that, I highly recommend this school for anyone moving into the area!

Posted: February 24, 2012

My daughter is a second grader at this school. Charles Barnum is arguably the best elementary school in the district. The staff are excellent and they really care about the students. I know that Great Schools rates CB at 6, but I have looked at the raw data from the test scores and they are comparable to Mary Morrison, which is rated at 7. CB does better at reading and writing, MM does better at math. My only problem is with the district as a whole. I feel that they don't have any programs for exceptional students, so sometimes my daughter isn't being challenged because she's forced to wait for the other students to catch up to her.