Besser Elementary School

375 Wilson Street

School District

Alpena Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 16, 2023

I waited until my last child was done with this school before reviewing because I didn't want my kids to pay for my opinions. My kids have been going to Besser since 2009, so 14 years. We have been through 4 principals and multiple teachers and staff. It was a great school until 4-5? years ago. When the last principal took over. Then it all went downhill. Parking, dropping off and picking up kids became a huge problem. Kids are marked late because their clock is the only right clock in the world (as I see someone else mentioned). It's just a mess there. Last day of school you could go to line the halls to see your 5th grader walk the halls at the end of the day. Lots of parents showed up. They weren't even allowed to park in the parking lot at the school. We all had to park on the street. Most teachers there no longer care about the kids. There are only a couple who actually care. I told them for YEARS that my daughter didn't know multiplication. She was struggling in math. Finally, the last couple months of 5th grade they discovered that like a third of the fifth graders were struggling in math (most likely due to covid) and weren't ready for 6th grade. imagine that. Now they have tutors this summer. I've already found a paid tutor for my child sine they wouldn't help prior.The year prior I had miserable kids because of masks. They didn't care that my daughter had headaches every day from one. No sympathy. The teachers mocked and made fun of the kids who didn't want to wear a mask. My son missed a ton of school (we eventually figured out why and fixed it) but he was miserable there and I reached out to several staff members. Most of them didn't care and the principal was actually quite rude about it. Only one teacher (my son's teacher from a previous year) replied back to me and was very helpful and supportive. If not for her I would have pulled my son. NO ONE ELSE wanted to help him!!! Again, the teacher's there act all kind and supportive, but the majority of them and the principal DO NOT CARE! This school used to be very welcoming to parents before the recent principal took over. I was always told that that was my child and I was free to come in an observe whenever I wanted. Parents were always welcome. Not anymore. It's VERY parent unfriendly.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2023

If you love bullying and the families and culture that go with it, this would be a great choice for you.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2022

This school has become the worst elementary school in Alpena. Though it used to be a great, and possibly the best, elementary school in Alpena, it sadly has quite possibly become the worst here. The current principal has made things worse since becoming principal. Pick up and drop off is a nightmare that has gotten worse in the last couple years, honestly not long after she became principal. You can't park in the parking lot so you have to park on the road and cross a very busy street. Kids are always late because parents have to wait for the busses to clear before they can drop off their kids. However, one of the busses is always late which makes the kids late. They only go by the time of their "special" clock for counting a student late which is 3 minutes fast according to EVERY cell phone out there. Their clock is correct even though 25 other cell phones claim otherwise. Many new teaches there which I consider a disadvantage. Teachers there don't seem to care about the students like they used to. My child needs help and no one seems to want to help. If you want a kind school that cares go somewhere else. If you want a a school with teachers who no longer care and a principal that is superficial and is two faced then by all means send your kids here.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2022

Used to be the best elementary school in Alpena. Things have changed. For the last few years we have had the worst principal ever. She does NOT care about the kids. Many of the great teachers have retired and the new ones aren't very good and just don't seek to care about the kids. Now, that I think about it, the school went downhill when the current principal became principal. Coincidence?? I think not. They don't care about the kids there. You have staff members making a kindergartener cry because only those wearing a mask were "winners", implying that the kindergartener who wasn't wearing a mask was a loser. SHAME! Awful school. There are only a couple teachers there that actually care about the kids anymore.
Submitted by other on April 07, 2013

This school is great in every possible way.Not only are the teachers and other staff caring and understanding to each childs needs they go out of their way to make sure you have a say about anything concerning your kid and the school.This school and staff are professional in all that they do and strive to make sure the students feel they are special too.I have nothing but kind things to say about Besser Elemantary!