Essex Elementary School

Posted: June 13, 2023

Learning: While my child was excited to go to school to learn, the school lacks good teachers. The classrooms are over crowded, having 1 teacher and maybe 1 assistant when available with 25-30 students per class with students who have learning disabilities and are learning English as their second language as well as students with behavior issues from being home due to the pandemic, how is it realistic that, that teacher can effectively teach that many students?

Teaching: Many of the teachers at this school are relatively new to the teaching world. Many seem to not have experience with children of different needs and backgrounds. When bringing up concerns, teachers quickly become defensive stating that they are overwhelmed by the number of children and are doing their best. Which maybe they are, but that isn't the student's fault, that's the school's fault.

Social-emotional support: In no way shape or form does this school provide students with mental health and emotional well being. They allow bullying to occur, tell students to just deal with it and really provide no counseling at all for students who have emotional issues. Their answer is, go to the school nurse.

Special Education: That's a joke. The IEP chair doesn't take into consideration at all what a child with special needs really needs. They just assume all children are the same so therefore the same plan works for every child, wrong. They don't take into consideration of what the parents have to say for input, they constantly talk over you and then numerous time I received the comment, oh you came to the IEP meeting? Most parents don't care to come. Oh I'm sorry, I advocate for my child. Which then turns into retaliation from the school. I had to constantly stay onto of the IEP chair about when the next IEP meeting was because the communication was non-existent.

Safety: That's a laughable yet very sad topic. The principal is scared of her student's to the point where she runs to her car after school each day. There have been numerous threats and vandalism in and to the school. Cops are constantly at the school.

Family Engagement: What family engagement? The only way the school involves parents is if you are on the PTA. And good luck, that's an episode of mean girls/housewives. So pathetic.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. It's horrible, I withdrew my child for as they deserve way better education than what Essex Elementary could ever provide!

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: June 13, 2023

Posted: August 19, 2014

MY GRANDCHILDREN ATTEND ESSEX ELMENTARY SCHOOL. ESSEX ELM IS AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL. THE TEACHERS ARE CARING, PROFESSIONAL & OUR CHILDREN LOVE THE SCHOOL. PRINCIPAL GRABNER IS A GEM!

Posted: July 28, 2014

I am stunned by the poor reviews. My son came in with an IEP. In fact, he was supposed to be put into a separate "special ed" school. An Essex teacher was at the meeting and asked to see our son. After speaking with him, she pushed to get him into Essex. Each year, the teachers helped him to grow in confidence and ability. He has progressed from the IEP to GT classes. This is because of the faculty and the leadership provided by Principal Grabner. Any time I had an issue, I was welcomed and they addressed my concerns. While I didn't always agree, they always took the time to explain their decisions. Bravo to Essex Elementary!

Posted: June 3, 2014

I posted on May 28th...I was hoping to see another review. Unfortunately, you would have never gotten what your child needs from this school. This school does everything they possibly can do to work against you and your child. I believe it is their way of building a case against you, should you decide to go to mediation. The school systems have all of the resources, money and power to fight you. The parent rarely wins. Sure you can hire an attorney that will cost you your life savings. You can hire advocates to help you fight. They as well cost a ton of money. I know I have done this. Again, the school has the final say. Two bills are in legislation currently. Go to theburdenofproofmd.org and sign the petition. Also go to FB page Maryland Parent's Coalition for Education Advocacy and post. If enough parents speak we may be able to shift the burden of proof on the school systems.

Posted: May 28, 2014

I am glad that I see two other parents that have posted regarding their frustrations with this school. We have just moved to the area and I have never seen any school like this. They fall short on basic communication between parent and teacher and make no apologies about it. In fact, they try and make you feel like you are being unreasonable when you speak up. Our child is special needs with an IEP and we pulled him out of the school after two weeks. It is very sad that you cannot send your child to school for basic education and special education and feel comfortable. I am hoping that the district will give me another option for the fall. Otherwise we might have to look at private programs. But not everyone can afford that and it is so unfortunate. Oh and by the way, I am still waiting on our IEP meeting that was supposed to be scheduled about 3 weeks ago.

Posted: May 27, 2014

I am in total agreement with the parent who posted Feb5, 2014. I am not sure if you will see this comment, however, I would love to speak to you regarding your experience at this school. I also have experienced verbatim the same types of issues with the staff at this school. This has been an extremely frustrating sad experience at this school.