Birch Elementary School

1035 Birch Street

School District

Boulder Valley Re 2
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Boulder Valley Re 2 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 September 18, 2024

This is our third year attending Birch and the teachers have all been phenomenal so far. It's a great neighborhood school.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2017

This is a wonderful neighborhood school that reminds me of the experience of public school that I had growing up. My daughter has been thriving academically at this school with wonderful teachers and a curriculum that engages and excites her. Granted, she's only been here for kindergarten and first grade so far, but the homework load has not been heavy. Music, PE, and art classes seem well supported, and we appreciate the community feeling that this school offers.
Submitted by other on July 18, 2016

We have really loved Birch over the years. We've been at this school for coming up on 10 years now and have had great experiences with teachers and staff. We've seen this school through a few transitions phases as well, but nothing has ever wavered.Last year we did receive a new principal. I will say that the transition since then has been a little rocky. Maybe it's tough because we had such a great principal before, but while the new principal is nice, I don't get the same feeling from her as I did from the last one. She gives off more of an authoritative vibe, which I think might mesh a little better with middle school or high school students, but not elementary. Hopefully it's just because it was a transition year and things get better. Overall though, with the staff that this school has, as long as they stick around with this new principal, you can't go wrong at Birch.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2015

My family loves this school. The kindergarten teacher Miss Brown is amazing. She works every hard with all her students and she not only teaches them school but manners as well. She is an amazing teacher and I was my son could carry her with him for the rest of his years. :-)
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2015

My kids and I absolutely love this school. We live about 20 minutes away and choose to open enroll there. I couldn't ask for a better community orientated school. I love that the teachers are open & caring about each student. Communication is always open & welcoming between the staff, children, and parents. I am completely thrilled that I was able to open enroll my kids in such a great school!!
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2014

Was a great school until they got the new principle. She is loud and puts on a great show even has a few loud parent cheerleaders but don't be fooled.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

We are in our 2nd year at Birch and have had a great experience. The office staff are always so helpful and friendly. The principal is always up for new and fun ideas and makes the school experience fun for the kids and parents.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2013

We came to Birch from a private school and have found that our kids get all the same advantages here that we we paying for previously. Individualized attention, focus on reading and literacy, involved staff, a great school leadership team and parents who are passionate about the school as a whole, rather than just their children. The Great Schools rating belies the true value, as similarly rated schools nearby do not offer near the same level of instruction or involvement.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2013

Birch Elementary is a socio-economically and culturally diverse school that focuses on teaching the "whole child". The Principal at Birch introduces herself as having 380 kids. That is how she, and her staff, approach their teaching... with a loving hand. Over the past few years, I have watched Birch follow a path of introducing new writing and math programs that are making amazing improvements in learning, and are reflected in our TCAP scores. In addition, their positive behavior mechanism (PAWS), is a wonderful example of how behavior is approached throughout the school -- encouraging the positive. I feel incredibly lucky that we live in this amazing neighborhood, but would, without hesitation, open enroll into Birch if we didn't. It is a wonderful combination of a feeling of community, and a place where my kids can learn to be good citizens, good students, and good friends.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2013

Birch is a great neighborhood school that has high standards and expectations for all students. My children are early elementary age and feel as though Birch is part of the family. Communication is honest and frequent: parents get regular messages about what is happening. There are many opportunities for parent and community involvement, and there is a clear and shared focus. It feels as though everyone is on the same page, pulling in the same direction, giving kids the tools they need to succeed and excel. The principal s attitude is encouraging and innovative. She is student-centered and sets the tone for the rest of the school. She is super-visible to the kids, gets to know them on a personal basis, and they love her! In addition, the school has a great mix of new and veteran teachers in a supportive learning environment. The small learning setting increases student contact with teachers. Staff recognizes that some students must overcome significant barriers, but these obstacles are not seen as insurmountable. Curriculum, and assessments are aligned with state standards and BVSD does a great job in supporting district schools.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2013

I love first and foremost that the school and its teachers and staff are so accessible. Rarely have I sent an email or made a call that has not been answered. Additionally, the teachers and staff reach out to me if I need to be made aware of something, and there's also plenty of opportunity to be involved at the school. Birch's principal, in particular, is very involved with and passionate about the students. In the short time we have been at Birch, I have seen the writing and math programs grow by leaps and bounds and seen how it's affected my own child's schoolwork. I live in the Birch neighborhood and though I could have open enrolled at other BVSD schools, I chose this school because it is a slice of real life the families here are socio-economically and culturally diverse and, though at times that can present its own set of challenges, I love that those challenges exist. Through them, my kids get to see that hard work and perseverance, by anyone student, staff member or parent (and there is a very passionate and hard-working PTO) can make a positive change to his or her own life as well as the community.
Submitted by teacher on May 10, 2013

This school used to be wonderful. unfortunately, this past year has been absolutely horrible for not only my daughter but for a lot of students whom I baby-sit for after school! their reading levels are way be hind as well! Unless their are some drastic changes school year. I don't see this school improving much!
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2011

The teachers and staff at Birch are so friendly, outgoing and approachable. They go out of their way to make all the students feel like they are heard and supported. We moved our kids to Birch from a different elementary school and we are so happy that we did. Our kids are thriving at Birch.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2009

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