Smithfield Elementary

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

Posted: April 26, 2025

We love Smithfield! My oldest graduated from Smithfield ES in 2024 and was so prepared for middle school. I also have a 4th grader and Kindergartener at Smithfield. Both are happy, appropriately challenged and given opportunities to become a well rounded student.

Posted: March 22, 2025

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Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

Incompetent teachers. Never this school if you love your child.

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Posted: April 6, 2024

Although our little boy was only there for Kindergarten, he absolutely loved it. He adored his teacher and learned as much as could be expected. I was unaware of the demographics of the school; however, I do know that the abundance of non-English speaking students increased and had to make the teaching a bit more complex. Our son had no issues while there and we spent less time than we should have being involved. The school was very well run and organized and they did a geat job of communicating with us as parets.

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

Posted: June 8, 2022

If it doesn’t feel right then it’s not right. I had a bad feeling about my child’s teacher the day I met her, but since she was “certified “ in ways he needed I thought she was the best fit. The WHOLE year was miserable! I would never get updates on what he was doing all year unless it was an annual meeting for his IEP and then I was just told “it’s fine, he’s fine” never anything helpful or insightful! When I would ask things I would get responses that were short or came across as me being a bother to her. Then came a time when I witnessed for myself the blatant ignoring of my crying child. Then on a second incident I was told of by a volunteer that was so bothered by his mistreatment they reached out to me to inform me of the VERY upsetting neglect of my son — I called for a meeting and all they said was in laments terms is that I was wrong and they did what they needed to do and more or less it was my child that was the problem. If I could rate the teachers individually I would bc there are some AMAZING ones, but unfortunately the office staff has tainted my ratings on this school overall. So do your research, read the comments and if there’s more than one saying the same thing it’s probably true.

Posted: October 23, 2020

Ms. Plunkett and Ms. Trotter are AMAZING!! They absolutely love each and every student. They love my kids like they were their own. I know my kids are getting a good education and a living environment while attending smithfield.

Posted: October 23, 2020

You as the parent need to be involved in your child's schooling. Once I reached out to Ms. Plunkett and talked about my concerns she got right on top of things and has been very involved ever since.

Posted: October 23, 2020

Not tolerated. They handle any vully issues immediately

Posted: October 23, 2020

The most homework my child has is reading for 30 minutes. I appreciate this as it allows for family time after school and work.

Posted: October 23, 2020

Most of the teachers are wonderful! They all know my children's name, their story, their struggles and successes. Their previous year teachers all check on them and follow their progression. Its a family there and we love it

Posted: October 23, 2020

Very involved in teaching the children successful character traits.

Posted: October 23, 2020

Smithfield has become an extension of my family. The teachers are involved, principal is wonderful!

Posted: February 17, 2019

Posted: February 17, 2019

Posted: February 17, 2019

Posted: February 17, 2019

Posted: February 17, 2019

THE WORST! THE WORST! THE WORST! THE WORST! THE WORST! THE WORST!

Posted: February 17, 2019

This school is horrible in communicating with me about my child's performance. I am a very involved parent and I had no clue that my child has been struggling. I ask the teacher questions like how can I help my child all the time, and they can never give me anything concrete. How can you wait until a parent teacher conference to give an update on your child. How can you help if you never know that anything is wrong. Or maybe the work that your doing with your child is not helping. This is the worst experience ever. This is the first time my child is in school and the school has made it a terrible experience. They can't even fully explain how they even grade the progress and how everything works. Teachers are supposed to help, they are not helping. Its like they want my child to fail.

Posted: February 17, 2019

Posted: October 6, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2018

I look from time to time to see if anything have change at the school well from reading the reviews nine years later they are still the same the teachers prejudice bullying and still acting like they don't know what's going on shame on Smithfield shame on you but I will get my chance to speak on exactly which teacher and what took place on television as soon as my son make it to the NBA because I have not forgot I will not forgive until I get an apology once I exposed the information I have

Posted: October 6, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2018

Posted: October 6, 2018

It was terrible I was a ameliorated by my son's teacher

Posted: June 1, 2018

Unethical, self absorbed and unprofessional teachers. Very disappointed and surprised to know that people like these are teaching our kids. Is easy to understand why this world is the way it is once you meet the staff at this school. If you want your kids to have a good example, don’t enroll them in Smithfield.

Posted: June 1, 2018

The staff are the first to behave as if they didn’t know who you are. They look down at those who they believe to be inferior to them. Do you want these people to teach your students. As they discriminate families who have moved from other countries to the USA. The staff even stated that the school has become worst since Hispanic/Latinos started enrolling.

Posted: June 1, 2018

Not recommended, unlesss you believe this is what you want for your child.

Posted: June 1, 2018

No they don't. Please, don't enroll your daughter/son if they have a disability. They are not prepared nor capacitated to deal with children who have learning disabilities, it is awful. The rejection is very noticeable.

Posted: June 1, 2018

I heard from other people, parents that kids were saying derogatory things to the student and when asked the school, no one could provide a response. Very unethical and unresponsive.

Posted: June 1, 2018

Posted: December 23, 2017

We have never had an issue with bullying at Smithfield. There are bullying lessons taught by a school counselor.

Posted: December 23, 2017

The principal and vice principal are very involved, know the students by name, and create a culture of excitement and positivity.

Posted: December 23, 2017

Posted: December 23, 2017

Character is emphasized and celebrated. The 7 habits are taught, and quarterly awards given are not just for academics.

Posted: December 23, 2017

Each year we finish the year sad because we can’t have that teacher forever, and each year we get another phenomenal teacher.

Posted: December 23, 2017

Couldn’t be better overall! We love that diversity is celebrated and every student is understood and important.

Posted: December 23, 2017

I appreciate that Smithfield is aware that homework is not the most important part of a child’s life outside of school.

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Good place for students and awesome staff

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: December 13, 2017

Posted: June 19, 2016

My family had a great year at Smithfield. I was nervous about sending my 2nd and 3rd graders there but could not have been more pleased with the principle and our teachers. The TD program ( and Ms. B) are fantastic. My kids felt welcome, challenged and had a lot of fun.

Posted: June 19, 2016

Posted: June 19, 2016

Posted: June 19, 2016

Every student is known to the staff and every effort is made to meet those specific needs.

Posted: May 7, 2015

I have been so happy with Smithfield, it has truly exceeded my expectations. My child has been having problems this year and has just started up with an IEP. The school has been extremely helpful and quick to respond through the whole process. I truly believe they have my child's best interests at heart and want my child to succeed. The teacher has been extremely helpful and patient through this difficult process also! So my child is not a "neurotypical" child, which I believe was the words of a previous reviewer, and I have had nothing but a great experience. I have dealt with the school psychologist and exceptional children team and I give them all 5 stars.

Posted: December 16, 2014

Smithfield is a great school if you are a white, middle to upper-class family with neurotypical children! You will feel right at home with the PTA, who will exclude and shun all others. If you don't fit that mold, expect the front office and door monitors to pretend they don't recognize you, each and every time you pick your child up. Expect to have your concerns ignored and be bullied out of speaking about them by Principal Harris. Also, who are you, parent who also loathes Class Dojo? I was made to believe that I was the only parent who disapproves of it. My child loves the school and enjoys his classmates, but administration grates. We will not be returning next year.

Posted: December 7, 2014

We like Smithfield in general but do not love it. I will give very high marks for Principal Harris - without her leadership this school would likely suffer greatly. I agree with a prior reviewer that the PTA is a social clique and basically worthless. Many teachers seem straight out of college and overwhelmed with no assistants (not Smithfield's fault). Due to this, the "squeaky wheels" get the grease while other students can be overlooked - unless they too misbehave. This year, they took the highest achieving teachers out of the classroom (?) and "promoted" them to a non-classroom role that noone has been able to adequately explain. Finally, they instituted a "Class Dojo" system this past year that has infuriated almost everyone we have spoken with - at least those who dont completely ignore it. The only kids that seem to benefit from this app are the "Teacher's Pet" types. We are looking into Charters for next year.

Posted: September 7, 2014

My three children have all attended Smithfield and our experience has been absolutely wonderful. The staff is cheerful and caring, children feel loved, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Best of all, every one of them had a great teacher every year.

Posted: May 8, 2014

This is NOT a great school despite all the cheerleading you hear. Suggestions for change aren't welcome by leadership The PTA is active but is a social clique that is not welcoming to 'different' parents. Smithfield has a few excellent teachers, but too many of the teachers seem more interested in keeping the kids silent and in their seats than engaged. One teacher who has been there for a long time has a reputation as mean and controlling. Everyone knows it, even the various Principals. Students are afraid of her and yet they keep her as a teacher. We did not have her, but many parents said when they complained their complaints were blown off by the Principals and Vice Principals. In general, I saw more teachers and school personnel over controlling kids so they are like silent little drones, always being corrected and admonished. This seems to be a bigger emphasis than learning. I would not choose to send a child to Smithfield again. It needs a lot of change. Also, my children's test scores, which were always high, dropped while at Smithfield and then went up at other schools. I

Posted: August 27, 2013

Great community school. Very involved parent base, lots of PTA support. Awesome principal & assistant principal.

Posted: August 26, 2013

Smithfield is a positive and encouraging institution for learning. When you enter, you see the enthusiasm of the students, staff and parents. Witness the strong relationships during welcomed lunch visits. Every staff member is approachable. You will see students encouraging one another & being respectful of others. The school impressively has ALL students participate daily in recycling & re-purposing items. Their lunch ends with the students sorting out their trash into recycle, garbage & compost (used in the school garden). They strive in being current with today's technology and preparing our children for success in the changing world around them: computer testing, Smartboards, iPads, tablet Apps, Bring Your Own Technology to School & Sensory Lab. I have 2 children attending Smithfield. Every time I had a concern, I was given time to discuss and work with staff on it. The principal puts so much personal and professional commitment into students. Her high energy and passion show through her interactions with students, staff, parents, and community. For a large education system, we are surprisingly pleased with our experience and education over the years at Smithfield.

Posted: August 16, 2012

This school used to do "whatever it takes". This is no longer the case! We have lost some top teachers over the pat few years and administration is no longer approachable.