West Springfield Elementary School

Posted: March 21, 2025

I absolutely love this school. Both of my children have attended this school for 2 years and they are thriving. My son has pretty severe ADHD yet the teachers seem very patient with him and students like him. My daughter's confidence that we have empowered with is elevated by the supporting teachers. My son was getting bullied at one point (it happens no matter how great the schools are) and the teachers were right on top of it. They let me know right away via email and addressed the situation accordingly which is all you can ask for. My daughter's favorite teacher was Mr. Yarmolovich (5th Grade) and I can see why. He keeps learning fun and engaging. I was even able to attend a field trip where I got to speak with him and witness his intelligence and organization first hand. We need more teachers like him.

Posted: March 21, 2025

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Posted: June 26, 2024

Mine just completed 1st grade with a teacher with no experience who struggled to pass the teaching exams. Everyone starts somewhere and my older ones have had new teachers, but this one was overly confident that she knew better OR was the victim because no one at her school has helped her and told her rules/policies. No in between. My kid and others were miserable and we learned to feign interest in things she liked (go packers *eye roll*) to get on her good side. I’ve been told by other parents that this teacher doesn’t represent the school as w whole and I hope that’s true and 2nd grade is better. If so, I’ll update my rating.

Posted: June 26, 2024

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Posted: June 25, 2023

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Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: June 25, 2023

We moved here last year and this was my child's first year starting school. It was a bumpy transition in the beginning since they are on the Autism Spectrum. But I had many staff members help my child find their way to a relatively solid routine so they could focus on learning. The IEP process was a long journey, but it also provided me time to meet with the staff assisting my child in a regular basis. There weren't any turnovers throughout the entire school year, which made it consistent. So far, we are happy with the school and staff. And look forward to next school year.

Posted: June 25, 2023

Posted: May 7, 2022

My oldest grandson attended this school, I loved the true teachers, which are no longer there. It was a great school then.

However, I’ve since lost confidence in this elementary school now. The trained so called Special Education teachers have no experience or very little, that they do not care to research or take classes for children on the Spectrum. Especially ones of color.

They are tossed to the side, no care is given when other children treat them differently because they cannot keep up or very limited in their vocabulary.

Just maybe We should stop trying to make them fit in our status quo and step into their world, to understand how they learn, then teacher them wouldn’t be a burden (sic) on the so called Teacher.

Posted: May 7, 2022

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Posted: September 30, 2019

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Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

I've had nothing but wonderful interactions with the teachers and staff!

Posted: July 28, 2018

Excellent - both of our children attended WSES and moved into the Gifted & Talented Program in Middle School thanks to the great education and support they received at WSES.

Posted: July 28, 2018

There was quite a bit of homework in 6th grade, but my kids benefitted from that; in fact, the homework quality and quantity prepped them well for being in the Gifted & Talented Program at Irving Middle School.

Posted: July 28, 2018

The teachers are favorably involved with the students and likewise engaged with the parents.

Posted: July 28, 2018

WSES recognizes their students of character every year during 6th grade graduation.

Posted: July 28, 2018

We found the school administration to be professional, pleasant and polite.

Posted: July 28, 2018

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Posted: April 21, 2018

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Posted: April 21, 2018

Overall experience for us was ok.But some staff members and Assistant Principal are really rude.Teachers don't seem to have control over class.Diversity is not appreciated at all in this school despite hyped claims.Thinking to move my kids to another school.

Posted: April 1, 2018

Posted: April 1, 2018

Posted: April 1, 2018

Posted: April 1, 2018

My daughter required assistance with reading and the school provided her with a tutor to help her get caught up. They frequently test her progress and met with me quarterly to go over her progress.

Posted: April 1, 2018

The workload was manageable and did not overwhelm the children. They received packets every week and knew exactly what to do each day.

Posted: April 1, 2018

Teachers were heavily involved and encouraged parents to be as heavily involved. My daughter needed extra help and the school provided additional tutoring to help her get up to speed.

Posted: April 1, 2018

My children attended this school for 4 years. We had a great experience here. The staff is very warm and welcoming. The teachers are very nurturing and really care about the students. The children that attend the school are great kids, if you’re new to the area this is a great school and your children will make friends fast.

Posted: February 26, 2018

It is a privilege to send my kids to WSES. The students and staff at WSES are a close-knit community where every student is motivated in excellence. My children are having FUN learning and their skills have really advanced. I love the experienced teachers and invested staff. Nothing but great things to say about this school. So happy we live in this neighborhood.

Posted: February 26, 2018

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Posted: May 1, 2017

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Posted: May 1, 2017

Great school located in a quiet neighborhood. Most kids walk to school. The principal and vice principal know all of my children and me. Involved community keeps the school going. Almost like a private school due to the small size. Just wonderful!

Posted: October 20, 2015

Posted: October 20, 2015

My daughter really enjoyed her time at this school, 2003-2010. The teachers are involved and enthusiastic. The parents are very involved, and there are lots of enrichment activities going on. The PTA raised enough money for smart boards, a 1/4 mile track, extra hours for gifted and talented programs. The children learn so much while enjoying themselves. Great participation. Great results.

Posted: September 9, 2013

Every school should be this GREAT! The office staff meets my needs quickly. The teachers are respectful, knowledgeable, loving and or point. The teachers keep me informed and keeps my child on track in a polite, caring format. Best school we have attended.

Posted: August 25, 2013

My son just finished Kindergarten at WSES. We were initially excited about the hype the team of Kindergarten teachers advanced regarding their teaching style, approach, and results. My son entered as a strong student. I volunteered often in his class - the teacher/child ratio is high (25 kids to one teacher and one assistant), the environment is noisy and the kids expected to ultimatly guide themselves. My son tested very high at the end of the year - "he scored 195 out of 197!" - on a test that came with no explanation and when queried, ultimatly meant nothing. I enrolled him in an academic summer camp to keep his skills sharp. The camp teacher immediatly asked if he was a public school student and when confirmed, noted he had no grounding in phonics and couldn't read - "but he scored 195 out of 197!" After 8 weeks in camp, and a lot of hard work, my son is reading chapter books - on his own! - and working on fractions and word problems in math. Don't believe the hype...out of all the public schools, they may be the best, but that doesn't mean your child is getting the best education.....we aren't going back to WSES.

Posted: August 24, 2013

I rented a house, and got a job, and moved from halfway across the country so that my daughter could go to West Springfield Elementary School.

Posted: July 10, 2013

This is a public school that has a private school feel. It's smaller than other area elementary schools. There is very strong parent involvement and community support. Great teachers (although more new teachers than a couple years ago).

Posted: July 9, 2013

I can not say enough wonderful things about WSES. I have two children at the school (upper and lower grades). I have found all of their teachers to be outstanding and they are getting a wonderful education. The community around the school is great and the parents are very involved. The office staff are warm and inviting. I know that there is a concern about the focus on tests. I've been in several elementary school and think across the system the SOLs are stressful and impact the way teachers work. I don't think it is unique to WSES. The school has given my kids the tools they need to be very successful in their academic careers and they are very happy at school.

Posted: July 1, 2013

The author of the post in this thread who mentioned that this school places too much emphasis on testing has hit the nail on the head. This is an excellent school for the lower grades (K-2), but leaves a lot to be desired for the upper grades.

Posted: June 3, 2013

My son attended Kindergarten at West Springfield Elementary. This school is phenomenal! The kindergarten teaching team is outstanding! They have been teaching together for a long time and have there routine down pat. The parents are very active. The administration is involved and responsive. The office staff is friendly. The school is a good size. The last I looked this school was ranked 17th in the state. Housing in this neighborhood is very hard to get in to because of this school.

Posted: April 13, 2013

I started going to this school in 6th grade, and i loved it! I was very sad to leave it for middle school. Its very welcoming and everyone was so nice. I loved almost all the teachers. The consoler is great too! The principal and vice principal are mean though. But i loved going here sooooo much. If you can, definatly go to this school.

Posted: October 6, 2012

While my children have enjoyed the school, we feel there is too much emphasis on test scores and not enough out-of-box thinking. The lead admistration (Jones), while competent, was condescending and unapproachable, leaving little room for maneuver by some outstanding classroom educators. We've noticed many neighborhood families disenrolling their well-behaved, talented childred to pursue less restrictive environments. There is also a high teacher turnover as well. We have moved our eldest child over to Keene Mill for the Advanced Academic Program. We are hoping our younger children test in as well.

Posted: July 20, 2011

Great school - the teachers really care and the whole school community is active in the learning process.