Soos Creek Elementary School

Posted: March 9, 2024

My child has special needs and I am so grateful for the teachers and staff at Soos Creek. They are patient and kind, offering encouraging words to my child and me as we navigate what services my child needs to help them learn effectively. They have a few special education programs at this school and bus in special education students from around the district because of the many resources they have at this school.

Posted: March 9, 2024

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Posted: January 23, 2024

I have two children at Soos Creek. It's a small close-knit community school where families really look out for each other and teachers take the time to get to know each student individually. My children have thrived academically and the school is always having fun events to keep families involved. We have really loved our time at this school!

Posted: January 23, 2024

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Posted: October 11, 2021

My child is in their 5th year at Soos Creek Elementary and has enjoyed every year. Each teacher has provided a safe place for them to be everyday while at school. Each teacher has done a wonderful job at providing them a quality education, even through the pandemic closures, that has met their needs academically and social-emotionally.

I would recommend Soos Creek for any parent/family that can look beyond test scores as the only indicator for a great school. Do your homework and you will learn more about the disparities in school ratings based on test scores and teacher experience. Soos Creek staff is thoughtful, kind, and intentional about providing the best academic experience for my child.

Posted: October 11, 2021

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Posted: January 10, 2020

Although the teacher seems like she is caring person in front of us I've witnessed a very different personality outside the classroom. She seems to have favorites. matching the same favored parents.
The principle attended one of our parent teacher conference. He sat there with his arms folded staring at the far wall, silent, making us feel very unconformable. When he did speak it wasn't in a positive manner.
The second conference they started asking personal questions that I didn't feel comfortable answering. Again, it felt like they were looking for reason to " classify " or place her into a category. At some point the comment was made that they ( kindergarten teacher ) were worried about a 3rd grade test that will be given in 4 years. Although, she is spot on academically. The next conference I bringing a lawyer.

Posted: January 10, 2020

The first day of school with in 4 hours the teacher told us my daughter wasn't going to make it but would see what happens in a week. She is excelling. Poor judgement on teachers part.
The home work sent home isn't routine. Home work packets at the beginning of school helped my daughter excel but after winter break stopped.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Posted: January 10, 2020

Posted: January 10, 2020

What leader tells the parents there child isn't going to make it 4 hours into the first day? She is in Kindergarten!

Posted: January 10, 2020

We have had 2 conferences with the teacher. Both times it felt like they were digging for something to prove she wasn't a " normal " student.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Posted: March 13, 2019

Posted: March 13, 2019

Posted: March 13, 2019

Posted: March 13, 2019

Posted: March 13, 2019

So far, I have been sadly disappointed. I had heard through a couple of parents who had their children at the school prior to us enrolling (who discontinued going to this school for one of many reasons) that the current principal is apathetic to bullying and the school as a whole focuses more on the kids with issues but ignores the the victims. Ironically, I learned that on my own twice now as my child has been hit two times by the same kid since the beginning of the school year. This particular student has some aggression issues, evident even with me seeing the child in the school yard with other students, but when my student was hit the second time by this student, very minor issues were taken to handle it once again. In fact, I decided to withdraw my child and I found it interesting that there was no trying to keep my child at the school; just a "we will miss them"....while the bully child stood happily coloring in the classroom. When I was a kid if a kid hit another kid its parents had to pick them up and take them home and deal with them. Kids now a days are not being taught consequence. And the state of our country will show that. Obviously protecting the bully is not working...its not teaching these kids right from wrong. Regardless, my spouse felt that letting our student complete the school year was desirable...I am so disappointed and saddened that this will be my child's memory of this school and that these other parents were right in their view of the school and the principal. I should of listened.

Posted: March 13, 2019

If six hours in class is not long enough to learn and retain something that homework needs to be administered every evening, then there is a problem with the system. Kids need to be kids when the last bell rings and homework is not conducive to that.

Posted: March 13, 2019

I enjoy my other child's third grade teacher.

Posted: July 24, 2018

The bullying here is OUT OF CONTROL!! A teacher was even apart of my sons bullying and the effect it had on him was HUGE. We honestly thought that coming in and speaking to the teacher and principle would have helped, but they quickly shifted it being all our sons fault. My son begged us to change his school, and we haven't had a issue since.

Posted: July 24, 2018

I'm disappointed in the outcome of this school, I wish we wouldn't have took this long to remove the boys from here. The parents that rave about this school are the ones who are able to be in CONSTANT interaction with students and staff, the staff are extremely judgmental and the nurse is beyond rude as well as would always call and leave voicemails about other students. One time she called and argued with me about a dog WE DIDNT HAVE and kept telling me my son had flea bites, come to find out was another child but insisted on still be rude. I've spoken to some teachers that can't stand the school either and admit they wouldn't send their child there. I'm just truly disappointed in how things were handled and its too bad because there are a couple amazing teachers that I wish the world could know.

Posted: July 24, 2018

Posted: July 24, 2018

Some are amazing, others should not be teaching younger children

Posted: July 24, 2018

Posted: July 24, 2018

Posted: July 24, 2018

One teacher really took their time in the growth of our children

Posted: April 6, 2017

Posted: April 6, 2017

I have dealt with this with family members there and the children of friends, always the same, the bully is essentially protected and the victim is blamed for something.

Posted: April 6, 2017

I have seen and heard many negative things regarding this topic.

Posted: April 6, 2017

Worst principal I have dealt with for my children which is a total of5 different schools and 7 different principals.

Posted: April 6, 2017

Bullies are unchecked and public perception is what counts most.

Posted: April 6, 2017

Most are, but the ones who are not are protected by the principal and the blame is shifted entirely to the student instead of trying to find a balance that helps all people involved.

Posted: April 6, 2017

The principal is extremely dishonest and tries to shift all blame from bullies to victims so as to not be responsible for what goes on. I have talked to several parents and students who feel that way as well. The playground is virtually unmonitored and the students are second to test scores and public perception. I would give it one star except for the fact that my children have had some great teachers, but the current principal defends the bad ones to a fault, I am an educator and never seen this depth of denial and blame shifting. Helping students is not the goal at this school anymore. Sad, it was really good before the current principal took over.

Posted: August 11, 2016

Parent
All teachers are not the same. Our son had good teacher first and second grade at soos creek, and was progressing well. Then came another teacher she didn't like being ask about our son's academic progress, we try communicating with her but she would not respond, and had no expectations for students in her class.

alot of bullying was going on at the school especially recess time, and when ask the principal he denied.

We are happy to say our son goes to school he enjoys, and made alot of progress, he has teacher who is enthusiasm about her class, students and their families.

We wanted to have made this review right after we left at soos creek, but we wanted to be fair and see the difference, between schools and teachers.
Some teachers do held students back intentional.

Posted: March 1, 2015

Honestly, I would take off a star because the facility needs work, but that's a district issue, not a Soos Creek issue. Otherwise, we've been extremely happy with this smaller school! Our son is in his second year of preschool (which is a mix of special needs and typical kids who act as peer models) at Soos Creek. We love that it's a structured program that focuses on building the skills necessary for Kindergarten and beyond. That's what our son needs, and we've seen incredible gains as a result. While we haven't had a ton of contact with the K-6 staff, EVERY staff member I've had the pleasure of meeting has been fantastic. If this was a business, I'd consider it to have exceptional customer service. The Soos Creek PTA does an amazing job making the most of their resources and truly enriches the school experience for students, their families and the staff. If you don't judge a book by its cover, Soos Creek Elementary is a wonderful school!

Posted: April 22, 2014

I'm really happy about this school ,we moved here about 2 years ago ,kids really happy with teachers and staff ,teachers always here to help us and kids......will recommend this school to others!!!!Don't know why other parents is not exited about Soos Creek E!!!

Posted: August 25, 2013

It is extremely disappointing that I have to write a little bit about our experience about this school, in particular the ECE Preschool program. We were excited for our child to be accepted into the program considering the special needs our child needed. Our child was part of this program for a couple of years and while there has been great improvements in our child's academics. What lacks in the ECE program is communication. There has been some instances that we had to "chase" the teacher down to talk about the progress about our child. We felt that we were an inconvenience to her schedule than accommodating and willing to work with us. I want the best for our child and expect the same from the teacher as well. Not true in our case. The biggest blow was this past school year, there was a conference meeting she had "forgotten" to inform us about. We were looking forward in learning/hearing about our child's progress, however, the new school had to informed us about it. I guess the new school questioned the teacher and her team why we weren't present, and they promised the new school she will contact us about the meeting. You can guess...they never did.

Posted: August 10, 2013

Response to 8/9/13. Some of your problems with Soos Creek are out of the school's hands. Crowded classrooms are a state problem. The principal - Mrs. Drobny (o, not a) - does her best adding part time aids to full classrooms. Parking is ridiculous but, spaces were added this summer. This was designed as a walking school (as mentioned). What'll help is parents walking with their kids (or organize walkingpools, have a neighbor or teen (they are out earlier) walk with your child. Not possible for everyone but, is for some. Apathetic and impersonal teachers - really? I haven't found this. I've had lots of contact with teachers including phone calls and notes home. All teachers I've dealt with over the last 9 years have cared about my kids. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with our principal. I've found her great to work with. She knows all of the kids, cares about our families, and expects a lot from her staff. She's called me to discuss my kids. She's different from the previous principal but, that doesn't mean she's not a good leader - just different. Over all, I've loved the feeling of community at Soos Creek and feel it's given my kids a great start in school.

Posted: August 8, 2013

The only reason I gave this 1 star is because I could not rate it lower. I have had more than one child go to this school and have experienced the different styles of the past two principals. The difference is night and day. Under the current regime, the classes are over crowded, the parking is ridiculous, the teachers are apathetic and impersonal and the principal is incompetent. The school relies on blending different grades because the Kent school district refuses to properly staff this school. Principal Drabny is a cold and ineffective P.C. enforcer who terrorizes the students with threats of expulsion in order to shape them into scared underachievers. This school went from being one of the best Kent had to offer to being just another school. Kent school districts decision to bus in students after closing schools that didn't "make the grade" has made bringing your child to school and picking them up a fatal car accident waiting to happen. The only hope for your child is to show some exceptionalism in order for them to leave the school to go to Sunrise Elementary across the street. Ten years ago I would have given this school an A-. Now I give it an solid F.

Posted: November 6, 2011

I love going to this school I am in sixth grade currently and I couldn't think of a better elementary school in the state of Washington. Most kids in this school are sent to Northwood Middle School ( probably the most challenging Middle school in the Kent school district). Soos Creek teachers are mostly nice. I think it is a great school, but their are still a few flaws.

Posted: September 2, 2011

I have been a parent at Soos Creek for over 7 years and could not imagine my children anywhere else. Soos Creek has an overwhelming sense of community and closeness; my sons have always been very comfortable there. It's our second home. The staff is not only warm and welcoming but experienced and wise. The principal is patient and fair with both students and parents and handles any issues with grace and competence. The staff is constantly attending trainings and collaborating with others to improve their skills. SC is a very diverse school and seems to embrace everyone equally. A terrific place to spend your elementary years!

Posted: May 5, 2011

I am an active parent volunteer at Soos Creek. There hasn't been one day this school year where there were no parent volunteers. The staff is very amazing, all very helpful people. The student population is diverse and so are the families. My daughter experienced some small issues with bullying that were immediately handled by her teacher and the principle. This is an amazing place for children to get their start in this big world!

Posted: March 15, 2011

If you can avoid this school and Kent School district, in general...do it! My son has had to endure bullies, apathetic teachers and a generally poor learning environment. Very, very disappointed.