University Elementary School

1111 North Russell Road

School District

Monroe County Com Sch Corp
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Monroe County Com Sch Corp

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 September 14, 2024

Incredible administration and staff with a highly diverse student population.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2023

A kindergarten teacher who hates kids shouldn’t be teaching. A 5th grade teacher that pressures and brainwashes her students against her own parents shouldn’t be teaching. All this school cares about is the rainbow flag. Kids are not allowed to talk during lunch they are yelled at if they do and threatened to not have recess all the time. So if you want your child to have a mental breakdown everyday send them to this school. Children are not robots. My kids ask to not go to school since they started it here. They used to love school. Be aware they have the kids locked up like in a prison and good luck trying to get your child out for a dr appointment but the whole back of the school where the kids play is not fenced. They don’t care about the kids they only care about themselves and their robotizing curriculum.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2023

My daughter did a year of preschool in another state before we moved to Bloomington, In when she started kindergarten. In preschool, she was already learning some reading and was sounding out words. 7 months into kindergarten, she not only doesn't read but seems to have lost her progress from preschool. My daughter and other kids in her class complained that their teacher hates them. One time my daughter needed to use the bathroom during recess, but they wouldn't let her, so she went into the bushes and peed her pants. A girl in her class seemed to have autism, but she never got the attention she needed; I don't think the teachers (or parents) even recognized the symptoms. My other daughters, in 2nd and 5th grades, haven't seemed to progress either. Maybe Indiana's education system is far behind the state we moved from, but I don't think it's acceptable. There are huge "textbook fees" from the schools, but none of my kids have ever seen a textbook at school. They have iPads, but the school doesn't seem to provide any learning apps or accounts, so the iPads just get used to watch YouTube (there don't appear to be any filters). The school puts a lot of emphasis on LGBTQ+ inclusion, so there's that, if that's what you're into.... If my wife was writing this review, it would be much worse since she's the one that actually deals with all this. She has string feelings against this school as well.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2022

We brought our daughter to University from a neighboring district and we could not be more happy with her development. She is now in 6th grade at UES and she is so well-rounded thanks to the International Baccalaureate curriculum, strong teachers, diverse community, and supportive administration. We couldn’t be happier with University and the education that our daughter is receiving.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2020

University Elementary is great! The Principal and Assistant Principal provide strong leadership, and the teachers are competent, caring, and really seem to care about their students. The hallways are calm, the students are learning, and art, music, Spanish and physical education are all part of the curriculum. And, it's an International Baccalaureate school, which nicely reflects the fact that there are always a number of international students at the school, due to proximity to IU.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2018

My son transferred to University Elementary from a private school, and has been so much happier here. The teachers are more compassionate and seem to have better classroom management skills. At my son's last school, his teacher complained about his behavior. He is an active boy and sometimes has trouble focusing. At University, the teacher says she's had no problems with him or any other child in the class. And he's learning a lot of history. He came home the other day talking about Fort Sumter and the Civil War. And they just learned cursive -- in second grade. There are many other things as well. The food served in the cafeteria is homemade on site by a few ladies. They make the kids cheese omelettes for breakfast about once a week. Other days they make a big breakfast cookie for each kid. Very nice. I also love that my son's teacher reads to the class every day from a chapter book. I'm so glad we transferred, and am really looking forward to continuing on in this school.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2017

This school has been wonderful for our son (in second grade as of 17-18) he has learned consistantly about other traditions, cultures, viewpoints all in every subject. We are working at this school to become an international baccalaureate school and the learning involved is more well rounded showing how all things are connected. I cheer on the Principal who has been here since my son came here in Kindergarten for her real work in making sure the enviornment is proactive and works for the students in her charge. We love it here.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2015

I love University Elementary School. This is a fabulous school with dedicated, respectful, and professional teachers and staff. We have a new Principal since last year(2012-2013) and she is wonderful, very approachable. The diversity is wonderful with kids from all around the world. We have an International Potluck and Talent Show each school year that celebrates our amazing population of students and families. As a parent of three kids who have and currently attend UES, I couldn't ask for a better school to help my children thrive and grow.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2014

This school is unbelievable . My daughter just began her second day of school as a Kindergartner. My daughter was getting ready to get picked up from school. Somehow my daughter was not being watched carefully and she escaped from the school and got locked out with no one outside the school .......... My 5 year old was banging on the door to get back in. When i got to the school and was picking her up, one of the teacher in front of other parents told me that I need to teach her my daughter how to stay still. She also told me that I was lucky that they found her. Then she said she was going to talk to my daughter's teacher like she should be in trouble. Could any of you parents think of what could of happened if no one found her? Someone could have taken my baby away from me or she could have gotten hurt. I just don't understand. We trust these people with the safety of our children, yet when they mess up, they want to blame the parents and the small children? The need to be accountable!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2014

University is an incredible school! Our daughter has attended since kindergarten and we are constantly impressed by the professionalism by teachers and staff. It is clear that they care deeply for each child. It has been amazing to see our daughter become inspired by her teachers. She is a very smart child, yet she is always challenged to dig deeper, think critically, and to problem solve. We have never felt, nor witnessed anything that would make us believe that this school "teaches to the test." There are plenty of state-mandated tests, yes. However, the teachers and staff do a great job helping the kids stay relaxed. We truly believe University is one if the best schools in the state. We are grateful for all they have invested in our child.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2014

Unfortunately, I am not impressed with this school. Having come from out of state and this being a small town in the Midwest, we had high hopes for a more open minded and genuine teaching staff, because of the diversity that comes with being so close to the university. Our child came in surpassing the end of year benchmarks but we have to press them for more challenging work and have only received negative feedback from the primary teacher (although other teachers give only positive) and principal who suggested that although high achieving, that doesn't mean that my child is necessarily gifted (who even says that, without testing no less). Don't be an out of the box kinda parent because the school is a very conventional, by the book, teach to the test kind of school. It's difficult to find a non religious affiliated private school in this area and the one charter has a mile long waiting list even for siblings. I've heard that there is a new charter coming in the next year with a much more challenging curriculum. Overall, it will due for now but we are certainly on the hunt for an alternative.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2013

Our son started going to here in 3rd grade and is now in 5th grade. Even though there is a lot of diversity and opportunities there IS still bullying and he endured this in both 3rd and 4th grade because of his weight, he wears glasses, his hair color, just about anything the other kids could think of they did it. Teachers both years were contacted about it and said it was taken care of but nothing really was ever done about it because it continued to happen. As far as his education, he has always been a bright student and always excels past his current standards for his age so that hasn't changed. I think they need to implement new punishment rules for bullying and actually do something to students that continue to do the bullying.
Submitted by other on June 10, 2013

I can't say I like this school, because I don't like the principal very much, but the teachers are mostly very good.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2012

I have had two children attend UES since 2008. There is more structure throughout the entire school day, which is difficult for all the children, and may be frustrating to some parents. My youngest daughter has loved all her teachers and experiences thus far (attended since K), my son related exceptionally well to one teacher he had for 5-6th grades (attended since 3rd grade). Many students have parents working/studying at IU, parental involvement is strong. Music and art are exceptional. Parents run German, Spanish, and chess clubs after school. School hosts GT kids in the area at the elementary level. Educational resources are significant. Overall, it is an excellent public school although not a one-size-fits-all. I wish recess were less structured and kids were encouraged to run and play outside. The school day is very long now and vigorous activity would be greatly appreciated.
Submitted by other on July 27, 2012

i believe i went to this school in 1985-86/87 when i was 5-6+. i was a student from Malaysia. Great school tho.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

My son learned almost for one year there while we adult did our research at IU. Very nice school, professional teachers and stuff, we love that school!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2012

I am sadly disappointed in UES. Our son has attended since K, now grade 3, and we are trying to get a transfer. If you don't mind the NO TALKING rule in the cafeteria (yes, the little kids actually have to READ the WHOLE time, no socialization, just robots) then you're nuts. Worse still was the lack of leadership when our son was bullied over and over at school. The Administration denied our requests to get the bullies parents involved until it had gone too far and we were no longer willing to work with the Administration. Test scores may say it's a good school but I assure you they are misleading.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2012

Teachers do not care about students, only test results are important. The principal is never willing to help or even listen to patents' concerns
Submitted by other on November 16, 2011

I love my school so,so much!!!!!!Which of course i'm talking about University Elementary School.Du.Everything is great there, except maybe the bathrooms, spicily the boys bathrooms.Like one of the things are boys not flushing when they are done using it,and also sometimes they don't wash there hands.