John E. Ford K-8 School

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

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Posted: April 20, 2024

I’m a substitute teacher and have always been very respected at this school and the students all want to learn and love the staff.

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

Posted: April 10, 2018

This is our second year at JEF and I am always impressed with the teachers kindness and care for each individual child.

Posted: March 8, 2018

The early years (K-1st) I have to say were exemplary. I had never seen an approach at a school that young for solving social disagreements. The peace table and peace rose were emotionally effective. 2nd grade - my child was hit and bullied, to my shock, and I received NO notification of the conflict nor how it was handled. EXTREMELY disappointed. I reached out to the substitute and principal for a clarification of policy and protocol. Seems like a no-brainer to tell a parent when a child is abused by another student. Fortunately, my child is no pushover and told us everything in the car on the way home. This was one of the areas in the school that I felt positive and strong about 'til this incident. Teachers must ALWAYS notify the parent.

Posted: March 8, 2018

It feels like my child's educational growth was allowed to stagnate academically. It appeared school was hours of playtime for her or social development. I am no teacher but if it were not for our diligence at home she would not have been progressing in Math or Reading. I was impressed when her 1st grade teacher recognized her writing ability and saw to it she had cursive writing practice. Science class is the only time my child gets excited about homework because of the new information. She has recently been scheduled to work with a math coach. I will update this at the end of the school term.

Posted: March 8, 2018

A letter to the principal was responded to the same day and within 24 hours all parties involved were communicated with and given instruction to move towards a solution. Time will tell as far as implementation between all people involved but the staff is usually nice although no quick, positive results have been initiated by the temporary staff. Side note - Every year I am told different policies on how they handle food sensitivities/allergies. I can't tell you how many handwritten notes, plus doctors notes plus copies I have given to the cafeteria, front office & teachers. Where do these things go?

Posted: March 8, 2018

In three years my child has had many non-physical conflicts where the students were taught to work problems out for themselves.

Posted: March 8, 2018

iReady offers some challenges but my child complains that the loose leaf paper handouts for homework are "too easy. Honestly, she can possibly get questions wrong for lack of understanding, in iReady, but it is usually due to rushing or software glitches.

Posted: March 8, 2018

I want to give more than a neutral here so badly. The more present a teacher is the more effective he or she can be. Substitute teachers try but can not replace the attention a child needs from a regular teacher-student relationship. K - a positive uplifting experience for my child. My child did come to the school with advanced reading and math skills and was not academically challenged in class BUT developed other important social skills and learned to be a helper. The teacher recognized the need for advanced education and did everything in her power to help her get into gifted. 1st Grade - Positive interaction with the teacher and very interested in my child’s growth although, in my opinion, a peculiar amount of substitute teachers. Additionally, I did not feel the teacher neglected my child’s needs for more advanced study and did everything in her power to offer my child challenges and assistance. 2nd Grade - Still a heavy need for substitute(s). An attempt to offer an appropriate education to challenge my child was made by this teacher but it does not trickle down to substitutes. With so many substitutes between 1st -2nd you get an occasional bad apple. If I have to pick, I guess I can stomach an uncommunicative sub then a short-tempered one. Additionally, I have learned by three years of experience that little information is passed down from grade to grade so I have to literally advocate for my child in each grade. Only recently did the newest principal request my child work with a math coach. So grateful the coach is on staff, but this is three months before Summer.

Posted: March 8, 2018

Disappointing but hopefully improving. There is slow progress. Her loving teachers and friends make this all so difficult. My baby began speaking early. Knew her alphabet by age 1. She could read at 2 1/2. By age 3 competently read aloud from Shel Silverstein and fully understood addition, subtraction, borrowing concepts and the distributive property of multiplication by the age of 4. Somehow, my child is not in gifted. The test was issued on her birthday and during the last week of school (a time chock full of distractions and an unprofessional period for testing for a new 6-year-old, in my opinion. The timing possibly could not have been helped by the tester or could have just as easily been a calculated move to avoid a separate test for 5 and younger). She missed "gifted" class by a small margin. I have spoken with a woman at the school board in charge of Exceptional Education and Student Services. She confirmed my child as an exceptional student. Although when I notified the school of her intellect before enrolling they assured me each class had two years ahead, with the Montessori method. But she is not allowed to move ahead in 3rd-grade work, apparently, while the teacher is out. My husband and I have gotten a better result in the last week communicating with the principal but the school year is nearly over. This is after parent-teacher meetings and the last involving the guidance counselor. She is now scheduled to work with the school's math coach but look how long this took? Three teachers and two principals later. This is so sad. I will say, go to the top if you want faster results at this school, rather than working on the teacher level. It may feel uncomfortable going over the teacher's head but communication and, temporary, livable results come from cutting through corners although there is more waiting. My child is advanced and often complains of boredom and the results are slow getting work that is challenging. Communication with the present 2nd-grade teacher is difficult even when she is at school. Although it is medically necessary for her to be absent the communication with the substitute(s) and teacher assistant has dropped to an uncomfortable zilch, in spite of my efforts. I feel everyone who needs to know about my child is officially notified and MAYBE now, if not gifted classes, she at least won't be further stagnated. Now more waiting.

Posted: May 29, 2017

Posted: May 29, 2017

Posted: May 29, 2017

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Posted: May 29, 2017

Posted: May 29, 2017

My son started kindergarten in this school. He is now about to enter middle school. Ever when we moved closer to another school, he has begged me not to change his school. He has been an honor roll student every report card... I don't care for a select few employees there, but the majority of the school is great.

Posted: January 13, 2017

I love this school my son is in Mrs.Luecht's class and she's a wonderful teacher she does everything possible to make sure my son learns everything that's needed for him she also keeps up with his IEP's and she's always coming up with ideas to make my son progress with my son having a learning disability I thought it was going to take him a while to adapt and learn things but not at john e ford they are making sure he get's it and understands it Ms.Grace is excellent also she's very involved and loves my son I could not ask for a better school for him thank you john e ford

Posted: March 6, 2015

It is a very nice school. I have been working in many schools as a substitute teacher and I always feel respected in this school. The teachers care about the students and the Spanish program is great.

Posted: September 27, 2011

john e ford is the greatest school ever!!!!!!!! the teachers there really care about the students and want to see each of them succeed they work with them until they learn what they need to know!!!!!!! john e ford has a great faculty from the women in the front office to the guidance office they all make you feel that you & your child is their family!!!!!!!! and last but not least ms. tina & ms. parker are the best principals in the world!!!!!!!! i love you john e ford!!!!!!!!

Posted: June 3, 2011

Ford will stimulate your child and teach them to be a self-directed learner. What more could you possibly ask for? It is diverse, organized, and my son is excited to tell me what he did each day.

Posted: April 28, 2011

I have three children in the Montessori program. When my youngest is old enough she will attend as well. The teachers are professional, caring and passionate about children becoming lifelong learners. I can't say enough great things about this school. If you believe in diversity and children experiencing other cultures they have that too!

Posted: April 26, 2010

Posted: April 25, 2010

I chose this school's Montessori program for my son next year, and was very impressed by every teacher and curriculum offered. It's one of the best-kept secrets in Jacksonville.

Posted: November 23, 2008

Posted: March 19, 2008