Point Defiance Elmentary School

Posted: December 22, 2025

-Physical bullying
-Verbal bullying
-Safety concerns
-Racism
-Dummying down
-0 homework
-“Not my Job”
-“Not my problem”
These are all things you will find at point defiance elementary if you stay long enough. I removed all my kids and have never been happier. This school will do your child a disservice. There were a few good teachers but they were removed and placed in a different school. Oddly they didnt share the same views as the teachers who stayed. I had to get the district liaison involved to move on from this scalding memory. My children are so much happier in University place School district.

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: December 22, 2025

Posted: March 11, 2023

I’ve had multiple kids here and love it. Especially since some of the teachers who were done giving it their all retired. This is a destination school for great teachers in the district.

Posted: March 11, 2023

Posted: March 11, 2023

Posted: March 11, 2023

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Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 17, 2018

Great new principal! Great PTA! Great teachers! Lovely staff. Everyone is on the same page in supporting students in their needs, keeping them positive, and on track with learning!

Posted: October 17, 2018

Posted: October 27, 2015

Posted: October 27, 2015

Posted: October 27, 2015

This school has trouble identifying potential issues early on and coming up with systems and solutions to strengthen the overall school for individual student success.

Posted: October 27, 2015

The school leadership is not supportive of students, teachers or families and the institutional culture at this school is toxic because the school lacks good leadership. I have repeatedly heard Point Defiance staffs talking negatively about other parents in the hallways and had a staff talk negatively about another parent directly to me. I find this very demoralizing and disrespectful to the overall morale at this school. There are some very exceptional teachers and very strong PTA. Overall, they do what they can to make their school better for students, but I would not recommend this school to another parent.

Posted: September 11, 2015

Pt. Defiance has been a wonderful fit for us. I have two children that attend school there one in 2nd grade and one in 4th grade now. We started at Pt.Defiance with preschool and have had great experiences since. My children have had different teacher along the way and being a very present parent in my children's education I have had nothing be great relationships with them and continued friendships with some of them. Pt. Defiance is very driven on the subject of reading, but reading is the core to learning and without a strong base learning in the future can be difficult. AR testing is a big thing in every class and it gives the kids a goal to work towards. They have lost of fun and enjoys doing it. My daughter was the top reader last year between K-2 grade. The have a positive behavior program called "3R+S"- which stands for Respectful, Responsible, Ready and Safe. They offer an array of special education programs, Challenge programs, After school activities such as, Dance classes, Brick for kids, Girl scouts, boy scouts, Tennis, Acting and lots of others through out the year. They also have Champions which is an after school daycare located on school grounds and Rebecca the coordinator is Amazing!! The PTA is very involved they have lots of family activities such as movie night, dances, and carnivals just to name a few. My son is looking forward to next year when he gets to go to the Science camp that they have for 5th graders. But don't get me wrong we have had our challenges and issues through out the years with things, but things can not go perfect all the time that just isn't life, and the staff has always been there by out sides to help and support. They never give up on a child and they give them every opportunity to be the best they can be and themselves while still following the school rules and behavior program. They do everything they can to make school a good experience and learning fun. They try to include the whole family as much as possible with sending home a weekly newsletter and all the events, but being a parent that is evolved as much as I am it is easy. I make sure to let every new teacher know they can call and talk to me about anything and I am always available to help out. Parent volunteers are very big at the school as well and help to make the school that much better. It is just an all around friendly, inviting school.

Posted: May 3, 2015

The best school my son went too. Too bad we moved... Recommend it for everyone

Posted: October 3, 2014

Horrible! Some of the teachers are bullies and if you stand up for your kids they center your child out and bully them!

Posted: June 12, 2014

Pt. Defiance Elemantary School is horrible.Some teachers are good,but some are bad.the The teachers always have favorites.They always say things to their favorites and never pay attention to the other kids. Also, my child, who is going to be a fourth grader, had a very rude third grade teacher. The teacher would always ignore the students. I do not reccomend this school.

Posted: April 3, 2014

this school has a awesome kindergaten teacher mrs.riggio but it seemslike the 5th grade teacher dont quit help out with the kids that need help luckly my daughter has found a new middle school that willing to help with what she didnt get in 5ht.

Posted: November 13, 2013

This school is horrid... I wish I had seen this site before I decided where to move!! My sons third grade teacher is rude, pushy and inattentive. My son hates school and has never ever hated school!

Posted: October 1, 2013

Not impressed with this school thus far. While a focus on reading is wonderful it shouldn't be the only focus. Cannot believe the lack of attention paid to math and science. Only three weeks into school and my child has been injured twice with not so much as a leter sent home. I will be looking for a new school.

Posted: September 23, 2013

My son just started kindergarted this year and his teacher is so rude and pushy. I can't talk to her about his progress at all without her changing the subject or cutting me off so I don't get to say anything.. I don't feel comfortable leaving him there with her, I feel as though she does not like him and treats him differently than the other children. Currently looking at otherschools to possibly go to.

Posted: August 11, 2012

Pt. Defiance is a blessing for our family!!! So far three of our kids have attended and the great teachers at Pt. Defiance have taught them sooo much, they all excel in most subjects and are happy to wake up everyday and go to school. The oldest now is in middle school and continues to excel with a 3.9 GPA. I believe that what makes this school great is that principal, teachers and parents all CARE!!! Academics is a priority but to make kids welcome and noticing their hard work is just as important in this school. Our fourth child is going to attend this year and is also getting Mrs. Jacobs!!! My kids like her very much for a kindergarden teacher. In first grade Mrs. Hanson helped my kids with strong math and reading skills!!!! I believe she gave my kids a strong start for the rest of school life!!! Mr. Pittrof is a great fourth grade teacher, my child has never had a boring day in his class, so is Mrs. Watt for fifth grade and Mrs. Ancich for second grade! So far I haven't met a teacher that was not great. Thank You Pt. Defiance for such a great school and to Principal Olga Lay for always making sure our kids get the best education and a great environment to be in.

Posted: April 11, 2011

My son came to Pt. Defiance after not having a successful experience at another school. My son is medicated ADHD and very challenging. I met with Mrs. Lay (the Principal) and explained to her my concerns regarding my son. She was caring and kind and placed my son in Mrs. King's classroom. He is a completely different child. He likes going to school, wakes up happy, and when I told him he will not have Mrs. King next year he was upset. I have spoken to several teachers at Pt. Defiance and the love they have for their children is unlike anything else I have seen anywhere aside from private schools. The teachers treat every child like they are the most important person in the world. I have seen teachers show patience with even the most difficult child. I can honestly say that Pt. Defiance is like a private school without the tuition.