x?alilc (Halilts) Elementary School

Posted: June 24, 2024

I went to this school and it was good enough.

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

We’ve had a wonderful experience at Halilts and are thankful for the kind and caring teachers, staff, and administration.

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 24, 2024

Posted: June 9, 2023

My family has been very dissatisfied with this school, which is unfortunate since it is one of the main reasons we moved here. The classes are large and if your child isn’t at the top or bottom of their class they are often overlooked. With no homework and only a couple of meetings with the teachers it is also hard to find out how they are doing in school. As for the teachers, they are hit or miss. It has been difficult to see our children’s needs ignored.

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: June 9, 2023

Posted: April 25, 2022

Absolutely fantastic school with great and engaging teachers.

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: April 25, 2022

Posted: October 17, 2021

My daughter CH attended this school from Kindergarten (Mrs Nordstrom), 1st Grade (Ms Bryant), 2nd Grade (Mrs Keech), 3rd (Mrs Wood), 4th Grade (Mr. Colvert). My wife and I have nothing but praise for the facilities and the teachers.

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 17, 2021

Posted: October 24, 2019

I believe it was a district decision to do away with homework, and I feel that was a major mistake. Not all kids pick up the materials in class, and I'm finding as a parent I'm having to supplement my child's education more than I should be required to do.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I'm not sure it's the teachers' faults in this category. There are a great deal of learning styles present, but the class composition and teacher backgrounds aren't always equalized. Therefore, I believe effectiveness is negatively impacted.

Posted: October 24, 2019

Posted: October 24, 2019

Amii Pratt is amazing. She truly cares about the growth and development of the whole child.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I used to strongly agree with this, but a district decision to relocate many of the specialists to Blakely left a void in the assisted staffing at Wilkes. They need to hire more folks.

Posted: October 24, 2019

BISD wants everyone to have a voice ... even the bullies. There is a real dichotomy in social structure, and it's expressed by the kids. There is also a real sense of entitlement by MANY of the kids, including the children of some of the instructor attending.

Posted: October 24, 2019

All of that being said, I still believe Wilkes is the best school on the island. Having experienced the results of the education at all three public elementary schools -- and several of the private ones -- Wilkes kids are well rounded in many areas. How much of that has to do with affluence and parental involvement remains to be debated. But Wilkes truly makes an effort to promote quality social behaviors and practice fair and balanced instruction to its students.

Posted: September 8, 2015

I am disappointed to see all these negative reviews. I attended this school as a child as did both of my parents and my siblings. I recently moved back to Bainbridge island so that my children can receive the same type of educational experience I had. If there really is this much of a problem with this school then we as parents need to do something. For all of you parents who recently moved here and we're expecting miracles. I transferred to wilkes from a nearby school when I was in fourth grade. The transition was hard because they do require more out of their students. The level of performance expected by the teachers is more than some kids are used to. The bottom line is that you can't move children into a new school and expect things to go smoothly right away. It sounds like a lot of the parents on here just need to shut up and let the teachers do their jobs rather than complain on here. If wilkes truly is struggling then we need to help the teachers teach. Instead of looking at what other schools are doing maybe we should focus on what has worked at this school for so long and support our teachers.

Posted: December 11, 2014

I would say Average to be honest..We are ex Military and we have seen many schools any many states...its not ABOVE or Below. The Classes do have to many children in them. The should be given a TA if they are going to run this size of a class so that all the children get the help they need, and the watchful eye that is needed because kids can be mean and one of mine was picked on by other students. Teachers are amazing there but they need HELP especially with the class sizes they are given.

Posted: March 21, 2014

My son is in the multi-age program at Wilkes and I couldn't be more impressed. His teachers are fantastic, the work is challenging, and his needs both academic and social-emotional are addressed. I am in the classroom volunteering multiple times a week and see teacher sin action all the time. They are fantastic, the administration is wonderful and how the curriculum is implemented is impressive.

Posted: January 6, 2014

Wilkes, BI School District and the Bainbridge Island Community is incredible in so many ways. I always tell people I love living here because everyone here is focused on the right things in life. Raising well rounded children that are educated, loving, and want to give back to their community. I am sad to say because of work we are moving out of state. I was encouraged to use this site to look at schools but to not pay attention to the parent reviews. This advice came from a parent/school psychologist that works in the state we are moving to. After seeing these negative reviews toward a school that both of my children have gone through and loved! I now understand why the school psychologist suggested I skip this part of the site. Wilkes couldn't be a more nurturing environment where children thrive!

Posted: January 30, 2013

I came in expecting a lot given all the talk about the district schools and its state ranking. The education and standards are average and the equivalent of checking the state boxes. Nothing impresses me as outstanding. This year has really been a disappointment with teachers who are marginal, disorganized, or just in it because they get a long summer vacation.

Posted: March 19, 2012

I'm not surprised by the negative reviews, but do NOT agree with them. The principal is now new since reviewed in the past and is eager to work with parents to address issues caused by the economy and other factors beyond the control of one elementary school. The local school foundation is VERY involved (getting funds from parents and local businesses) in helping fund teachers' salaries in an effort to keep the teachers hired and class sizes as low as possible - the fault for the higher class size is not the school or district but the fact that the state is not funding as it should or keeping its commitments. Teachers are caring and nurturing and do the best they can given all the requirements parents and the community demands of them these days. Anyone who can't find one good thing to say about either a public or a private school on Bainbridge Island - where the scores and achievement are among highest in WA state - should definately move elsewhere.

Posted: January 29, 2012

Very surprised by the last review. I have had 3 kids pass through Wilkes and feel that they were all well prepared for higher grades. There are plenty of opportunities for parent involvement (in fact I have actively worked in the every one of the classrooms of each of my kids). Teachers are dedicated and energetic. Yes, classes are larger than in past years. Welcome to public education during an economic downfall. Private fundraising efforts have been working hard to keep those class sizes down. The principal is exceptional and my childrens individual needs have been recognized and addressed in a meaningful way.