Polenta Elementary

Posted: June 18, 2025

My kid attended this school after being very dissapointed how education was very poor when we moved from VA to southern NC, and then a year after attending polenta was a total change. He learned a lot, he made good friends, school is safe.

Posted: June 18, 2025

Posted: June 18, 2025

Posted: June 18, 2025

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Posted: June 18, 2025

Posted: June 18, 2025

Posted: June 24, 2023

My kids have gone to school here since 2018. We have had nothing but positive experiences. I have no idea why the rating isn't higher!

Posted: June 24, 2023

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Posted: November 17, 2021

The school i is very harsh and does not care what your child has to say. And the principal is very mean and only sticks up for the teachers even when they are wrong. Like when I was in the carpool line all of the white family's car door was getting opened but not mine because they skipped me!!!! And one time when they actually open the door for my daughter they give her a sunburn look then slam the door while I am hoping the glass won't break and I keep trying to get a teacher conference but my daughters teachers keep saying she is to busy and by daughter is a special need and she has a disability so one night she comes home crying and saids my teacher yelled at me and then told me to go sit in the halway by myself just because my daughter had misreplace her MYbook. Then that night I get a call that if my daughter does not find her mybook in two days I have to pay 20 dollars for a stupid book like what the heck. I think u should avoid this school

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

Posted: November 17, 2021

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Posted: March 22, 2017

Staff and administrators truly care about the students. My son loves going to school and loves all of the special events and activities they have going on. There is clear communication between school and home.

Posted: October 6, 2016

So far my children have only encountered bullying once. I emailed the teacher and she took care of it the very next day. No more problems after that!

Posted: October 6, 2016

My son has ADHD and works well with alternative accommodations. Without having to get an IEP setup his teachers have found ways to best help him succeed in the classroom and work with me to help at home. This has involved a slightly different homework schedule to allow him to work on homework on the weekends - when he has rested and is no longer agitated, classroom seating, encouragements and rewards, and constant communication with me!

Posted: October 6, 2016

Posted: October 6, 2016

PUMA Paws is a great way to encourage students to act appropriately. They also embrace the color change system but unlike other schools I have seen, they offer the students a way to work their way back up to a good color if they make a mistake. This teaches them that everyone makes mistakes but it is how you handle it!

Posted: October 6, 2016

The teachers have gone above and beyond for my kids. They truly care if they succeed and do anything in their power to make it happen. Constant communication!

Posted: October 6, 2016

My son's homework is relevant and truly helps him to understand the lessons and learn more each day.

Posted: October 6, 2016

I have 2 children that attend Polenta Elementary and I have been extremely pleased! One of my kids has ADHD and the teachers each year have gone above and beyond to help him succeed... without having to do an IEP or go above their heads. They obviously care about the children and their success. Staff is very personable and caring. The school is safe and very careful to make sure no outsiders get in without permission. Each classroom has the necessary tools to help children learn and technology is embraced. My children are both part of the dual language program as well so they get so much more than I can explain! My children love it... I love it!

Posted: October 5, 2016

I feel like my child's homework is the same thing everyday, she is young and doing the same thing day in and day out makes her not want to do it

Posted: October 5, 2016

This school has by far the worst teachers. They also have this color chart that shows how kids are doing each day according to color. Some teachers are lowering students for the smallest of things, leaving the kids feeling like they are bad students. Another thing is that this school says it's all about "stopping bullying" but half the teachers will tell the students they don't want to hear it, or "no tattle tailing" and that just makes more bullies who can get away with anything if not caught. They're always trying to raise money for chrome books, but they could use new playground sets, or even better how about an addition to the school. All of the first graders are in trailers... yes you heard right "trailers" and more than half of the time the AC doesn't work in there. You're student comes home with flushes cheeks because they've been cooking in a trailer all day. This school is not the ratio it shows either, the ratio is actually 24+ to 1 teacher, and more kids are still coming in. Now I understand why so many parents around me are homeschooling their children.

Posted: August 5, 2016

Posted: August 5, 2016

Posted: August 5, 2016

Posted: August 5, 2016

My upcoming 4th grader has attended this school since pre-k. I have been impressed with the overall education he has received. Most teachers are very dedicated and hold students to high expectations. Communication and curriculum have improved in recent years.

Posted: December 15, 2015

Our daughter has attended since kindergarten and honestly that was the only decent year. Communication from teachers and principles are nonexistent and if you do get to talk to 2 or more, you'll get 2 different answers. Car pool is never on time. School functions are preceded by PTA meetings. Websites they use will not work with tablets. Johnston County School system has become a joke.

Posted: July 26, 2015

Our kids have had so many amazing teachers at Polenta! They genuinely care about the children and do everything they can to help them succeed.

Posted: July 26, 2015

Posted: July 26, 2015

Posted: June 13, 2015

I liked being in school at Polenta this year! I loved my teacher and had lots of fun learning.

Posted: June 13, 2015

After six years of our children attending Polenta, they have had the most amazing teachers.

Posted: June 13, 2015

The amount of homework seems to be very fair and not take a lot of time. Children need their playtime when they get home from school.

Posted: June 13, 2015

Polenta's main goal outside of teaching the curriculum is to develop this important life skills.

Posted: June 13, 2015

Polenta is a wonderful school with really great teachers. We have three children that have attended this school.

Posted: June 13, 2015

I have had kids at this school for the last 6 years. They have amazing teachers and very caring staff!

Posted: May 29, 2015

Posted: May 29, 2015

Posted: May 29, 2015

Principle will make uneducated statements instead of searching for truth before she responds to a parent concern.

Posted: May 15, 2015

We love Polenta Elementary! We have a 1st grader & couldn't be happier! He loved his kindergarten teacher & loves his 1st grade teacher. I have been thankful for the extra support by having full time TAs in both kindergarten & 1st grade. The teachers work with him in a small group setting every day to meet his academic needs. The Enhancement teachers are great & by spending a week at a time with our child, they are able to get to know him better. We really like the Enhancement. The Enhancement schedule is different from most area schools in that the students spend a week in each class then rotate. This gives the teacher more time to really teach their content. I love the variety of enhancements: two PEs, art, technology, music, character education, Spanish, & global awareness. Our student adores each person he interacts with at the school: teachers, administration, office staff, custodians, cafeteria ladies, everybody! They do a great job communicating on their website & through phone messages. Teacher webpages are updated frequently. I can t wait for our youngest to attend. We hope that he'll be in the Dual Language class that started this year! Polenta is a great school!

Posted: April 29, 2015

This is our 2nd year at Polenta Elementary. Last year was not great, but none the less, much better than this calendar year. Our 2014/2015 year at Polenta has been disappointing to say the least. Both of our children went from A-B honor roll to barely satisfactory grades. Both have regressed in the same academic areas and the teachers are unwilling to go above the bare minimum to assure each child in their class is set up to succeed. This school is large with a lot of students which has caused some turn over in enhancements. There is a huge lack in communication between teachers/staff. Administration isn't in support of parent concerns even when the teacher shows obvious frustration and lack of concern in a child's IEP meeting. Our family is having a highly stressful calendar year with school/teacher issues and currently in the process of putting our home on the market to get out of this district. There are many areas that this school needs to evaluate. Beware

Posted: April 1, 2015

Lack of communication, school will allow your child to fall behind, school will refuse to provide services, principle has a very bad attitude. Avoid this school if possible, it's a sad situation for our community.

Posted: March 31, 2015

We told the school our son had a disability at kindergarden registration it was noted in the doctors papers. We explained that we sent our son to preschool prepare him for school and learned that he needs great structure. The school then placed him in a classroom that started the year out with a subsitute teacher! He shifted through 9 teachers until they hired a permanent teacher, clearly ignoring our sons needs. First grade again his special needs went overlooked and he was harassed by his teacher to the point of when we asked for her to provide details she in turn sent him home with a red folder labeled "details" with our sons handwriting of all the bad things he did through the day. We were blown away by this tactic! Several more harsh and inappropriate punishments went on, even unknown that we as the parents had to dig up, until we started asking for an IEP. His disability was being ignored and our son was suffering. Nightmares and low self esteem. We finally had to get him evaluated more by outside sources, and get an advocate to bring on our side. Avoid this school if possible or if you are experiencing issues please make reports for change!!

Posted: September 24, 2014

We let my son's teacher know early on that we are going through a separation that is affecting my son's behavior. He has had a few incidents where he has put his hands on other kids, but nothing serious. However, the assistant principal called yesterday and told my wife that if he has one more incident, they're just going to kick him out for the entire year. This seems to be an incredibly extreme reaction to his behavior. He loves school, and they don't seem to care at all about what's going on with him. In fact, when my wife spoke to the assistant principal and tried to explain why he may be acting out, she told her that it was not the school's problem that we were going through a divorce and that would have no effect on the way they treated this situation. How uncompassionate can you be? And these are the people who we are leaving our children with everyday?

Posted: September 1, 2014

It is VERY unacceptable that our kids were at school today with no A/C with a heat index of over 100. Several kids were throwing up. I witnessed this myself. When I walked in to get my son early dismissal once I found out (from another parent), it was VERY hot inside the school. My son and neice came to the office soaking wet and their cheeks were red as apples. A message this evening AFTER the fact seems ridiculous. I would hope all parents will address this issue with Johnston County Schools. The kids did not learn today as the teachers could not teach in these conditions, why not send them home? * Note: It is now 8:45pm and I have not received a call from the school to explain. (The admin on Facebook said we would receive a call this evening to explain)

Posted: August 21, 2014

We are having our first experience with the school as our daughter will attend this year. I will come back and post as needed to give my updated feedback. I hope to see other parents post this year.

Posted: August 20, 2014

This school has not provided their students with competent teachers. My children will only receive adequate education when they move on to Cleveland Middle School. As a parent, I have tried to communicate with both the teacher and Principal on being dissatisfied with the teachers enthusiasm towards the students or the lack thereof...This school has a new Principal however, she appears to be just like the previous one, she will not hold her staff accountable for basically not caring if the children succeed. One of the reasons we chose this area was for the school district. However, the only school that contentiously remains prosperous is Cleveland Middle. Johnston county school district as a whole, needs a complete transformation to become as exceptional.

Posted: May 19, 2014

I love Polenta. My oldest child is in her second year here. I have not had any issues with communication between myself and my daughter's teacher, she always answers any questions or concerns I have. I am pretty happy my youngest will be attending in August and couldn't image them going elsewhere.

Posted: February 7, 2014

This is my daughters third year at Polenta. The first year she was there we couldn't have been happier. Last year we started to notice a difference in communication to parents, and now this year communication is very minimum. My daughter has been struggling since the beginning of the year, and as much as I have called and emailed trying to get her help, it was not until I threatened to call the school board that I was able to get a conference. I was promised certain forms of help, only to have that not fulfilled at all. I have requested that the processes be done to get her into an IEP program, only to be given excuses of why she doesn't qualify even though we were receiving warning letters that our daughter may be retained in the same grade next year. It was not until we hired a tutor that is a teacher at another school, that could press the issues better than we could, to get the help we needed. She even let us know that we should not have been given the run around that we were given. I have saved every email so as to document as much conversations as possible. When you try to get help for your child the school goes into defense mode instead of help mode.

Posted: February 26, 2013

Polenta is sub par school at best. The principal is very unreasonable and insensible and will always choose the side of the teacher even when the teacher is in the wrong. This is not leadership; a principal should always be impartial not biased. One of the teachers that my child had at Polenta was very uncaring and not the least bit nurturing. This school can afford fancy apparatuses however cannot afford a crossing guard to direct the unbearable traffic. The school helpers in the morning/afternoon who open up the car doors will avoid you if you re not white. Plenty of times my car has been bypassed and they opened the door for mainly the white children. This is definitely not a school for minorities. Being a parent you will not find out that your child is not performing at his/her best unless you see the progress report. I am truly dissatisfied with the principal and her always calling for money for the school but can t even listen to a parent in distress over their child unfair treatment and will disregard your feelings but is always willing to take your money for the good of the school.

Posted: November 3, 2012

Most of the staff and teachers are very nice. Unfortunately, my sons have not gotten nice teachers to teach them throughout their time at Polenta. When teachers are rude to me about my son, the principal tells me that I probably overreacted and took it the wrong way. My youngest son is in 5th grade and at the parent teacher conference, I was told by the teacher in front of my child that it'd be a miracle if he made it to highschool. I explained we're having him tested for a possible learning disability, she replied with, "No, he's fine. He's just lazy!" Everyone at this school loves my son, and talks him up whenever we see them in Wal-Mart. Except his current teacher and the principal, Ms. Johnson. And here I thought the previous principal, Mrs. Nettles, was bad. There is no comparison!

Posted: August 26, 2012

I was uneasy about my son attending school being that he has special needs. When the teachers and staff saw how nervous I was. They were very helpful with calming me down and assuring me that my son was fine. I love the school, the teachers and the staff. I give Polenta Elelementary 5 stars becaue of my son. He runs to the bus (no problem here), He loves his classroom (improves through the year) and he comes home smiling!! When he is sad or not himself, we all work as a team to get him back on track. I love that students and staff are aware of my sons special needs and I did not notice this at school, I noticed it at the local Wal-Mart when he is greeted by staff (janitors and lunchroon personel) and students from other classes. They speak and htey know his name. I could imagine him being anywhere else except Polenta Elementary!!

Posted: February 8, 2012

After my son has been here for 6 years including kindergarten, we are finally having true colors come from this school. The lack of communication from teachers, the vague expectations of the teachers and the lack of resources for children to learn are unheard of. I have been trying to have a teacher conference with my son's teacher and it seems like the hours are on their terms and there is no exceptions for people like myself that work night shift. A problem with a child seems to be brought to the parent's attention too late when they have dropped a grade or end of marking period before trying to figure out the problem. The principal seems to be more concerned with her EOG scores instead of fixing why the EOG scores are low. When approaching the principal she has no regard to parent concern. I am currently trying to sell my house to get out of this school district!