William Woodruff Elementary School

Briarwood Drive West

School District

Berkeley Heights Public
Grade

K-2
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Berkeley Heights Public School District

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 July 01, 2023

Great teachers, great principal, fabulous “what I need” program for pointed learning for your children including social emotional support, and fabulous PTO.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2022

With the new principal it has downgraded.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2015

Woodruff has a definite neighborhood school feeling. The kids play on the playground every day after school while the parents socialize. This is very unique to Woodruff school due to the playground being right outside the exits. So many parents with kids moving to the middle school lament the lack of socialization there. Parent involvement varies and is up to the individual. The lucky ones that have time are able to volunteer in the school library, participate in the PTO meetings and help with PTO organized events. All teachers and staff are accommodating and welcoming. The principal is sometimes stricter than necessary but this ensures good behavior from all students. She will even scold parents if they don't follow the rules but without any hard feelings. She has been a principal of Woodruff for many years and runs it hands-on, so this might have something to do with her wanting everything to be perfect. Overall, great school where most parents and students feel at home.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2013

Overall I feel that Woodruff is a good school and I do not regret putting my children here, however it did not come without challenges. The teachers are great, in particular, Mr. Waller. The nurse was great, she was always friendly and down to earth, however I never felt up to par to Mrs. Gasparini. When we first moved here I was very impressed, just like the reviews below say, she clearly ran a tight ship, she did seem to know each child, I was very excited, however as time went on, I realized my son was in trouble for 'everything'. By everything I mean the littlest things. Things that I really didn't believe justified a detention. All children need fresh air every day, they all need a break to go outside and let it all out, boys are especially in need of this, and getting an inside detention for sitting on one leg in his chair, and now allowing him to get outside (for example) was just silly and did more harm that good. Sometimes they took things too far and as time went on, I didn't even care about his so called detentions because I realized they were ridiculous. I would have rather partnered with the school but we didn't see eye to eye in what was disruptive behavior.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2013

This school is not bad and is certainly safe, but I would not recommend it for boys. Having two boys in this school and talking with multiple parents of boys, it is clear that there is a longstanding history of bias against boys and a lack of insight about the development and fundamental nature of boys. With the exception of a few good teachers, my boys have found classes fairly rote and disengaging. There is a lack of technology integration, project-based learning, kinesthetic learning, or any real innovation that engages kids--at least my boys. Additionally, I cannot say how many boys I know of, my own included, that have been penalized for things that are simply developmental on the part of boys-playing Star Wars with pretend light sabers on the playground becomes a zero tolerance issue, for instance. This I attribute to Ms. Gasparini, who is very rules and test score oriented as opposed to student-oriented. Nor does she particularly engage families beyond outdated PTO/fundraising efforts. In short, I would say this school is great on a 20th century metric, but not ideal for children in the 21st century. If you are looking for traditional, this may be a good choice.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2013

I have my fourth child currently enrolled at Woodruff.The teachers have all been nothing short of excellent and Ms. Gasparini has been there many years for good reason,she's an excellent principle. This elementary school tends to have more special Ed kids because they have a great program. Yes, she runs a tight ship and yes,boys can be more demanding than girls but they are taught the rules and respect that enable them to be successful in both the Middle School and High School.I've had both boys and girls in Woodruff and although my boys are a bit busier than my girls, she manages to teach them the rules of being orderly which in my mind is necessary for life experiences in general. Two thumbs up. Parents are involved in every aspect and the office doors are always open for a conversatiion or conference.The end of the year can be a bit more structured for 5th graders. I think this is to prepare all of the kids for the Middle School and that they are responsible for their own actions. I remember my son being repremanded for what I thought was trivial in 5th grade but it also taught him that what he may have thought was funny,wasn't. He did learn a lesson.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2011

It all starts with Patty Gasparini, She sets the tone for excellence, she knows every child by first name and write a personal note on every report card. My kids feel loved there, it's a family. The teacher's and staff are always smiling,always looking out and overall great people.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2008

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Submitted by parent on August 22, 2008

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Submitted by student on April 16, 2007

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