Mountainside Elementary School

5506 HARR AVENUE

School District

Fountain No. 8 in the County of EL Paso An
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Fountain School District No. 8 in the County of EL Paso An

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 21, 2021

2 of my children attended this school and the experiences differed greatly for both. One of my kids had no issues ever and loved every second. My other child attended from grades K-2nd and I was urged by the school (office staff and counselor) to put my child on ADHD medication starting at age 5 due to some behavior issues, however, the medication didn’t help. I tried explaining that the behaviors exhibited at school were never behaviors exhibited at home and was told my hands were pretty much tied (get the meds or my child wouldn’t be able to attend). Any time my child did something a teacher didn’t care for, I always got an email asking if my child had taken medication that morning. My child was constantly in time out (placed outside of the classroom in the hallway, alone) for not speaking loud enough, not understanding the material, or not answering questions when asked. I personally witnessed my child’s 2nd grade teacher scream in my child’s face in the pick up like for saying hello to me while she was talking to my husband, because my child interrupted her. After being stationed in another location, the new school’s therapists realized my child did not have ADHD, but an anxiety issue and that the medication my child was on would not, in any way, help. I was also notified at this new school that my child was testing extremely far behind (an entire grade level) however none of my child’s grades, parent/teacher reviews, or report cards from Mountainside reflected this. Mountainside had also lost both of my children on one occasion and my oldest on another sending them on daycare buses when the school sent out recorded messages to parents stating that parents needed to pick up their children because they daycare buses weren’t running (they were but the school didn’t send out new messages to correct the old ones) so when I left work early to pick them up, the staff in the pick up line couldn’t tell me where my children were.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2016

Unorganized. My child is singled out. I can't get a straight answer out of anyone. Very unhappy w how they handle my child & my concerns.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2016

LOVE THIS SCHOOL AND IT'S STAFF. HAVEBEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR 3 YEARS AND I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AS TO THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK ETHICS AND COMPASSION FOR THE KIDS.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2015

My son is in there behavioral ASD program. He is way ahead of the kids his age. Can't say enough good about this school!
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2014

My son loves mountain side and is having an amazing second year. We have all enjoyed both of the teachers he's had and all the staff we have worked with. My son has made student of the month twice and is on the honor roll every quarter. We really couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

Mountainside School has a principal, who talks a good game, but does not follow through on promises. Standardized test scores are not impressive. My child is not happy there.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2012

Mountainside is an awesome school. They have a wonderful staff and supportive teachers. Mrs. Zupans, the principal is very approachable and is usually on the school lobby to greet the children in the morning when school starts. They have a lot of great after school clubs for grades 3-5. Not only that, but they bring in the Missoula Children's Theatre where my son has participated each year they visited. Academically,they have ALP for children who is advanced and needs to be challenged; they also have the Gifted Children program that guides the development of gifted learners. We will miss Mountainside. Thank you for all the good times.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2012

We moved to Mountainside with kids ahead of their grade levels and have been pleased with the way their teachers have been able to challenge them. We've been given challenge work in lieu of regular work to keep our kids still moving ahead, as well as their teachers making sure they remain interested. Plenty of after school options for the older grades (3-5), math, spelling, reading, science clubs, plus art, basketball, etc. Our children's teachers have been outstanding in communicating with us and helping our children adapt to a mid-year move. In terms of other "complaints", it is common knowledge that FFC-D8 only offers free half day kindergarten and must be paid for if you want full-day. Complaining that you did not pay your bill for an optional program is not a reflection of the school or its quality. The rates for military families are excessively reasonable for a full-day kindergarten with great teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2011

I have 3 children that go to this school. Me and my children personally dislike the school and how they treat the children. We are a lower income family and my son was attending full day kindergarten because i felt he needed more than a half day because he has a learning disability, when i was unable to make the payment for him to stay in kindergarten they immediately moved him back to half day not even caring that he was doing better in the full day. They would not work on a payment plan with me. They were very rude! I am counting down the days until i move away from the district...
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2010

I've had nothing but great experiences dealing with the staff at Mountainside for my autistic son.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2009

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