Buffalo Ridge Elementary School

7075 NORTH SHOREHAM DRIVE

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Douglas County Re 1 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 August 11, 2024

A wonderful school full of caring teachers and administrators. It all starts top down with the principal, but the character of those who work at BRE is exceptional.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2023

Dream elementary school and then add a dream principal who makes every kid feel known and loved. This is a true community where learning is fun for all kids.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2021

If you are looking for a great environment in a neighborhood setting, this is it! We live in the neighborhood and can walk or bike to school, which is an added benefit. This is a fantastic school full of people that care. We just sent our second through the school and we are on to middle school. Some of the teachers and staff have been at BRE for 20 years. That says it all! Wonderful leadership and a true community spirit. We have many great school options in Castle Pines, but BRE is the best.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2020

This is our family’s 4th year at BRE (our son is in 5th grade this year) and we absolutely love this school! The staff and students at BRE are incredibly warm and welcoming. The school provides and encourages many opportunities for children to learn and grow. Our son participates in several fabulous programs at BRE including their gifted and talented program, National Elementary Honor Society, and BRETV. For parents who want to engage and volunteer at BRE, there are many opportunities to do so. The teachers/admin/staff at BRE exude tremendous friendliness and enthusiasm. The principal, Jen Murdock-Jacoway, has created a united and strong school community that our son (and my husband and I) are thrilled to be a part of!
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2020

Great, we love sending out kids here
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2018

The staff and administration are unmatched. We have had two children finish school at BRE and one currently enrolled. We could not be more pleased with the Principal's dedication to student and families. Academics are excellent and balanced well with fun before and after school opportunities for the kids.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2017

My sons experience at Buffalo was nothing special. It seemed like so much of the school focus is on fund raising. Most of the communication coming from the school and the teachers was about how the kids and parents could help the school earn money through all sorts of fundraising activities. If you are a parent that doesn't like your kids having lots of homework then this is the school for you. My son had short little math work sheets and grammar quizzes once a week and that was about it. He never had book reports or out of class assignments and barely any tests. So much of the in class work seemed to be the kids self teaching on the computer with little or no instruction. I would ask my son every day what he learned at school and he would usually say nothing much. It was really a weird year for us since he came from another school where there was actual homework and projects and tons of learning. The school has art class but my son never brought any completed projects home the entire year. Every Thursday a folder would come home with the kids and it was usually full of flyers for fund raisers or advertisements for after school activities. When my son brought his folders and notebooks home at the end of the year most of them were empty or only slightly used. The communication with the teacher was almost nonexistent. She would never send a note home telling the parents about homework or tests or anything the class was doing. Just a really weird year.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2014

Our experience at BRE has been nothing but positive. We are in our third year at BRE, having moved here from out of state. What we have found at BRE is kind, creative teachers who know each student as an individual and deliver excellent, differentiated education; ability-grouped instruction; involved parents; an on-site before and after school program (also includes a summer camp and offers care on most days the school is closed); and lots of extracurricular activities. I have consistently found the principal to be smart, caring, approachable, a listener, completely reasonable, and focused on making BRE the best it can be. I am surprised by the negative comments below. We love BRE!
Submitted by other on October 28, 2014

I am a middle schooler who previously attended Buffalo Ridge. I have a younger sibling that currently attends the school. She is constantly telling me stories about how bad of shape the school is currently in and how much the school has deteriorated since the new principle was hired. I think that the school will defiantly continue to go downhill unless there are some very significant changes with the decision making at the school. It breaks my heart to see all of the wonderful teachers at Buffalo Ridge quiting and being fired for no reason. These teachers are funny, inspiring people who truly put light in the classroom making the students think that school is fun and exciting. I truly wish that someone would step forward and get rid of this horrifying principle.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2014

Readers need to take these reviews with a grain of salt. This is a wonderful school in a high performing district with skilled and dedicated teachers and staff. Having experienced elementary schools within five different districts around the US, I can confidently say that if you're looking for a top-notch education for your child in a safe, caring environment, look no further than BRE. Not to mention that this elementary feeds into one of the best middle and high schools in the state. Of course, they've had their issues over the years with personnel, turnover, implementing district policies, etc. But, overall, we are very pleased with the caliber of instruction and the professionalism of the staff at BRE.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

I disagree with all of the negative comments regarding the principal and teachers. This is our 3rd year at Buffalo Ridge and we are beyond thrilled with our children's education. They have had fantastic teachers and have excelled academically. I volunteer & am in the school on a weekly basis. I know most of the staff at BRE extremely well and they go above and beyond... I believe many people have the opinion that teachers left because of Sarah McAfee. That is simply not the truth. If anyone had inside information, they would know several left because of other circumstances. The teachers that were let go were not asked for their jobs back because they weren't teaching to the standards that Sarah demands. That is the way it should be in my opinion. We are grateful for BRE for providing our children with such a great education. It is a wonderful atmosphere and we couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

This school and community has been so hurt by the district and now an extremely poor choice in principals. She reallocated the budget to provide assistance for herself and not the children. Reduced special education, reading intervention and psychologist for the children so she doesn't have to work very hard. Arranged no activities for the children outside academics (and we wonder why our children are becoming so violent and hurt.....leaders like this) She broke a state law and excluded parents from having input in any decisions regarding our children or the school. A teacher from each grade has left this year. She needs to go!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

After years of having leadership concerns at this school there was such hope that our new school principal would motivate the staff, parents and children. I'm sorry to say that the staff is frustrated, the parents are angry and the kids are suffering. This is not the principal for our school. She is very controlling and clearly the children are not her first priority. She makes many promises and doesn't follow through, she does NOT support or motivate her staff and the parents are treated with no respect and not a value to the school. DCSD should put a successful seasoned Principal to pull the school up from years of poor administration and move this Principal out.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2014

Over-crowded, unstable leadership, unhappy teachers, no teacher assistants; the over-all tone toward the children in some mid grade classes from the teaching staff is curt and unfriendly. Wonderful parent community.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

I don't agree with the previous writer about our NEW Principal. I think her motivation, disorganization, lack of spirit and leadership is really hurting a well established school. I think her "vision" is misguided and seems to be about what "she wants" and not really about the kids. She wants to make a name for herself, so what about the kids. She isn't the leader we needed and probably a better assistant principal.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2013

This school is on the up. This year (2013) brought a new principal who I believe is making fantastic changes. The kids now have ability grouped learning which I love and so do my kids. Sensible candy in the classroom policy, better drop off and traffic procedure. My point is that the principal really cares, she's highly motivated and constantly striving to improve. Eventually this school will be leading the district.
Submitted by other on October 08, 2013

What these reviews don't tell you about is the alcoholism that was present in the school last year.... By an eductor of significant importance to the school community. The bullying that occurs without reprimand, of the educators who wouldn't put their own children into this school. Just do your research.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2013

Great school. I have been in quite a few and BRE rates at the top of the list!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2012

Teachers at this school go above and beyond!!! Great school !! I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this school
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2012

Outstanding Public school. The teachers and parents are so involved in the success. These kids go to Rocky Heights Middle school and then Rock Canyon High School. All John Irwin award winners. National college admissions Directors treat this group as prep schools.