Wasco Elementary School

PO Box 83

School District

Community Unit 303
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Community Unit School District 303

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 October 13, 2023

We are enjoying our experience at wasco. Covid really messed up the positive trajectory my kids were having academically but we are making our way back. The teachers are thoughtful and pay attention to a child in needed and intervene. I feel Kept in the loop and am glad our home feeds to this elementary school.
Submitted by other on April 15, 2019

My experience at this school has been very confusing. I want to believe they have the best interest of my child in their decision making process, but they only want to appease the loudest and angriest parents.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2017

Have had 4 boys go through here and have been impressed with all that work/educate here. Office staff is super nice.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2016

We are completing our first year here and it has been great. The staff is caring and kind and my children are happy. They do a good amount of extracurricular activities and many creative events such as dances, end of school celebrations, art shows, field trips, etc. Lots to do. Orchestra is available in 3rd grade. It has been fun to be involved as a parent helper too.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2015

We are new to the area and moved from a town with great schools. My second grader is extremely happy with her class of 23 children and her teacher. She is excelling but also being challenged. This is a very quaint and charming school with friendly parents and staff. I love the grounds too. I'm given opportunities to assist in the classroom as well as volunteer for fun events. We just held the Heroes Walk PTO event last week which was really fun. We are looking forward to staying at Wasco for years to come.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2015

There are problems with the PTO at this school. Earlier this year we had 2 amazing parents show an interest in running for Pres/VP for next year and they were chased out by the current PTO pres and some committee members when they started asking to see the current financial standing of the PTO. The principal didn't have all the facts and let them try to destroy their reputations. She didn't even support them after the fact. Needless to say they are not running and have pulled out from helping the school altogether. And with them they took many future parents who were interested in helping next year.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2015

I think it's short sighted to say that this school is great because your child's grade is not over-crowed but other classes are over-crowed. My child was in the overcrowded class in 2nd grade 2014/2015. The experience was horrible because all the behavioral problems stemmed from over-crowding which stopped all learning from happening. The principal made the decision knowing all the problems we had in 1st grade to cram 29/29 student in 2 sections. A complete disregard for the mental wellbeing of the students. This year 2015/2016 we were given 3 sections and I have seen all the students blossom and learn and grow educationally and as we expected there were no behavioral problems. Unfortunately, our principal plans on doing it again next year 2015/2016 we are back down to 2 sections again. I am disappointed in this decision; we are just a number to her.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2014

We have been very happy at Wasco. Both of our children love school and are excelling. We have a couple of elementary school teachers (from outside the area) in our extended family and they are very impressed with what our children are taught and what is expected of them. The office staff is extremely helpful and caring. The school also has incredible parental involvement. The concern about class size is quite valid in some of the grades. Luckily for us, it does not impact our children's class sizes. I am so glad we are here!
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2014

I truly feel this year has been a complete academic waste. Probably the only reason we have left our child in this school is for social skill development. From an academic development standpoint we have taken that challenge on ourself and essentially "home schooled" in the evenings. Glad I'm paying all this tax money for nothing! Ever heard the comment about putting lipstick on a pig? Well, it may look cute, but it's still a pig. That's how I would describe Wasco. On the surface it looks like a great school. Apparently the "9" rating is ancient and needs to be revisited because it is no longer accurate. We moved into this school district specifically for the purpose of sending our children to this school. Up until this year we have been happy. But all that changed this year with the implementation of "common core". Standards have fallen and the teachers don't even know what is going on. No spelling tests? Really? I understand the need to spend time with those that are struggling and those with special needs. They deserve adequate attention too. But why does this mean you neglect the middle and top of the class? These kids sit there bored and want to be challenged!
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2014

Talk to other Wasco Parents before you enroll your child! Ask any Second Grade parent about their child's experience for the 2013-14 school year. It has been a complete disaster! The classrooms are crowded with 29 kids in one classroom and 30 in the other. The learning that takes place is limited. I am worried my child will not be prepared for the Third Grade. The "9" rating is misleading and I would highly recommend that you take the time to talk with other parents before you enroll your child at Wasco. Many parents are looking to pull their kids out after this year. Papers are not graded, tests are outdated, and the classroom can be described as a zoo! Parents are working hard to get the School Board to authorize a third teacher for next year. Many parents are frustrated that this could happen again in the Third grade! The school does offer a wide selection of Extra Curricular Activities. However, it does not make up for the below average teaching going on in the classroom.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2014

My son is a second grader at Wasco Elementary. My son loves going to school! I am extremely disappointed with the Second grade curriculum and the classroom environment. There are 2 Second grade classrooms. Each room has 29 students! It is complete chaos. The teachers teach to the below average and average students. That is the Common Core focus. The goal is to get all kids to hit the Average. If you are above average, you will be extremely bored. We moved to this area because we researched the schools and Wasco was rated high and known for smaller classroom size. We will not be returning for third grade. If you are serious about your child's education and you want your child to be challenged based on their abilities, I would not recommend Wasco. On a positive note, the staff and teachers are very caring towards the kids. The environment is positive. The curriculum is below average. The Second Grade had their first spelling test in March! Papers are not corrected because the teachers do not take the time. The teachers do not hold the kids accountable. Parents are petitioning the school for a third teacher next year. My son's education is too important to risk another year at Wasco.