Robert E. Lee Elementary School

1208 Locust Street

School District

Columbia 93
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
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 parent on September 02, 2021

My experience with this school has not been a warm or welcoming one. 1) During drop off and pick up they have staff but they are not helpful much. They want the kids to move fast but are not doing anything to spend up the process. 2) They are not good at keeping parents informed. If my child could change schools I would not hesitate.
Submitted by other on August 10, 2017

Clearly not suited to children who are not "artsy". Too bad if you live in the area designated to go to this school, but your child is more math/science/technology-inclined. If you are not "expressively artistic" you are on the outside and out of luck. Children like this who fall in this district should be able to move to a different school more in line with their interests and to keep them interested and motivated.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2017

By far the best elementary school I've had the pleasure of being a part of
Submitted by other on December 20, 2016

Oh Lee, how you could improve. Administration complacency, lack-luster instruction, and despicable 'resources'. Learning through the arts is a catchy motto yet when kids don't even have one playground ball - the basic needs are not being met. Constant PTA fundraisers for 'needs' rather than advocating for a higher quality of education and instruction. Overall: clingy crowd (teacher-parents), traditionally poor, zero innovation, sinking below the bar
Submitted by other on November 21, 2015

Despite some of the reviews I have read here I must say that Lees approach in putting the arts in a seemingly prioritized light has been a great way for my child to remain excited and involved on a day after day basis. The fact is that the "harder" real world subjects such as math or the endeavor of learning to read and write ALWAYS involve large amounts of boredom and frustration. These issues must be overcome at home where kids are uninhibited. If you find that your child is struggling it is important to make sure that you are doing all you can at home with your own time. Parents don't have their own time but it seems some parents think that education is the schools job. Schools provide curriculum, structure and a social atmosphere. Parents provide education. Lee is a great facilitator of my child's interest in her education and makes my responsibility to educate her much easier than most public schools. Thank you all so much!
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2013

I completely agree with other recent reviews. The school does not put any focus on any other subjects other than the arts. I am a huge proponent of arts programs but as a supplement to a curriculum that teaches kids the necessities. Our daughter began her school career under Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kephart and we/she had a great experience all the way around. Now in first grade, she doesn't enjoy school, her new 1st year teacher is completely inconsistent with assignments, and when we requested a class change we were told it couldn't happen. She struggles with behavioral and educational issues that were not a problem previously. She always excelled at everything until this year, where it seems she has now stalled completely. We believe that it may be time to start homeschooling in order to get her the education that she needs/deserves.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2013

Lee's artistic approach doesn't seem to incorporate any of the other subjects well. We've gone for 3 years and have had troubles keeping up. The only time we've met levels is when supplemented with homeschooling during our own time.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2013

We went to Lee hoping for a solid education that used the arts to explain concepts. Lee supports expressive arts - they just don't seem to tether the arts and teaching together very well. Our child is struggling in math and barely reading, but can sing "the blues". Not what we were after.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2012

Lee is an EXPRESSIVE arts school, where the faculty works together to integrate the arts with the traditional core curricula. (however,do not expect an "arts academy type school) By learning through music, visual art & dance, kids get a broad based education that keeps them engaged and interested. This school is unique in that 50% of the students and families live in the "lee" boundaries, but the other 50% are here by special request. The school's location near the MU campus enhances the diversity of the student population and provides many unique learning opportunities--students regularly engage in "real world" learning activities and frequently take walking field trips. I would say that this school is weak in academic RIGOR,but I have felt that my kids are getting a good educational experience that teaches them to respect others, to appreciate the arts, and to make connections between what they're learning at school & real life. The current PTA is growing and active. Parents & community organizations are very involved at this school and my children enjoy attending here. Behavior issues seem minimal. Some issues with weak new teachers will hopefully be resolved soon.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2010

Lee is advertised as the progressive arts school so I transferred my daughter there. VERY disappointed. They didn't teach her to read. She hated doing her homework because she was getting no direction or support. Every issue was essentially a parenting issue, the staff and especially the administration is above review. She actually quit doing art at home which she formerly loved. There has been no program continuity with the new principle. Long story short I transferred her to Russell elementary in our own neighborhood. She went from reading below grade level to above in 3 months,it's easy to get her to do her homework, and all the parenting issues have magically resolved themselves. Do not believe the hype..