John Ridgeway Elementary School

107 East Sexton Road

School District

Columbia 93
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Columbia 93 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 other on July 11, 2023

I attended Ridgeway and absolutely loved it! I haven’t had better teachers since. There was hardly any bullying as the whole class was friends. The building is a little old but fully functioning, and the teachers are some of the best in the district. They have a program called IGE which stands for individually guided education which helps kids move at their own pace. IGE nationwide has been dying out and this school is still going strong. Definitely recommend trying to attend this school.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2018

Excellent experience. Kids learn at their own pace, they get exposed to a variety of teachers starting their first year, the combined age classrooms, allow the older kids to be mentors and models for the younger group, kids are challenged and their input regarding their education is valued. Parents are highly involved and there is a it takes a village mentality throughout the school. I can't imagine a better elementary school in this town as Ridgeway
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2017

Great School, Teachers are very caring and Helping
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

My daughter attends kindergarten at Ridgeway. Although we felt lucky to secure a spot , I initially I wasn't sure how impressed I felt about the Ridgeway, having nothing to compare it to. Now that we're half way through her first year, I now am very happy with her curriculum especially when I hear about other elementary schools and what they're doing. My daughter has already been assessed on her abilities and moves around to different writing, reading and math groups accordingly. She's very happy and settled there and loves attending school and feels stimulated. I now realize that Ridgeway does in fact operate more like a private school than a public school. I am grateful to see my child challenged instead of having to wait for the entire class to 'catch up' before she moves forward. Thanks to all of the staff who have made it such a positive experience so far!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

This school is a great asset to all students. The teachers are amazing! My son had a tough transition from preschool to kindergarten. However, his teacher has been extremely helpful in keeping us posted on his daily activities, behavior and progress. She has went above and beyond for our son. I can't imagine this type of outstanding, daily communication and willingness to work with my son and us at any other school.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

This is an IGE (Individually Guided Education) school with combined grade classrooms. We love this school for too many reasons to list but mostly because of the family involvement and community we are lucky to be a part of there.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

GREAT school. Everyone is there because they want to be there. Hard to get into. Good luck!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

Ridgeway is the best elementary school in Columbia, MO, but parents should be prepared to become involved. The culture at Ridgeway draws folks in and puts them to work making the school better. My daughters have both attended Ridgeway and I could not imagine a better elementary school experience for either.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2013

This school is wonderful. My son just started Kindergarten this year (2013) and loves it.He loves his teacher and is doing well. I was extremely pleased. This by far is the best school. I
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2013

This school has a wonderful staff, caring people who know each and every child by name. The school is old but beautiful and old doesn't mean ineffective. The children get to be who they are, advance on their level they get to move forward at their speed not wait for someone else to catch up and or be pushed ahead when they aren't ready. The family support is wonderful. Parents who get involved in so many ways giving support in and out of the class rooms makes a difference. I have never been ask to leave or not stop in. Parents Grandparents aunts uncles, are always welcomed. We have excellent teachers, and our principal is top of his game. He is involved in a boys writer club and the boys really enjoy that special time , learning to love to write.. He is one special person. The two year class room structure helps the children feel comfortable and secure which helps the learning continue year after year. I know that my child wouldn't do well in a regular public school and I couldn't afford a private school. I feel so very blessed to have won the lottery and gotten him in this wonderful school. It might not be for everyone but it works for us. Ridgeway Rams are the best !
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2012

Addressing previous post. 1. I have never seen more than 2 computers in any Unit A classroom, in addition, 42 Ipads were purchased this year to give students more technology opportunities. 2. The school is about 100 years old. Much if not all of the school was repainted last year. Peeling paint should be reported to principal, but very unlikely this claim is true. Many of the smaller schools us the gym as the cafeteria as well. 3. This area has had a dangerous reputation for many many years, so parents are aware of this when applying. 4. Class sizes are restricted to 22 students per class. 5. Students move for Math, Music, Art, Computer Lab, Counselor. Reading groups are within their homeroom and those needing additional reading support meet in groups with other teachers. This changes in Unit B & C. 6. This is a school of choice. Parents who aren't happy with this school have the option of returning to their home school, thus opening a space for the 60+ students on the waiting list. 7. This school has one of the highest parental participation/support, high number of volunteer hours of any in the district. Several Teachers have won awards for teaching excellence.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2012

continuing from previous post... In the kindergarten-first grade classrooms there is not an even distribution of of supplies/opportunities. Some of the k-1 classrooms are on the large side (but still very unorganized) while one is TINY. Others have 3-4 computers in the class, while others have just one. And keep in mind that the only time the k-1 students move to other classrooms is for their different reading groups...so it's not like they get exposure to additional computers. The school itself is very old and decrepit. We're talking paint peeling off the walls and stairs. All the extras (art, etc) are in the basement which is tiny and stifling. The gym also serves as the cafeteria--also tiny and LITERALLY falling apart. The school also has a strange odor. Maybe that will change when they get air conditioning. And last but not least, it is located in a dangerous neighborhood which has very recently had shootings. This might ignorable if the other factors were above and beyond--but honestly, everything good I'd heard about this place turned out to be nothing but hype. Especially the myth about small class size. Not true at all. There are smaller classes at Russell.
Submitted by other on January 11, 2009

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Submitted by parent on October 28, 2008

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Submitted by student on March 20, 2008

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