Algonquin Road Elementary School

975 Algonquin Road

School District

Fox River Grove Cons 3
Grade

PK, K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Fox River Grove Cons School District 3

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 June 20, 2024

Run don’t walk, as far away from this school as you possibly can. The principal and superintendent at this school only care about creating cliques and being seen as the “funny” guys. They are incredibly buddy buddy for all the wrong reasons. They are all talk and no follow through. Do not believe a word that comes out of their mouths. Teachers and staff are left unsupported, under paid and thrown into situations they should never be put in. It’s no wonder the turn over rate here is so high for staff. Classrooms are being cleared because of violent and disruptive students way too often and children are not able to learn. These disruptive students rule the school and everyone caters to them. There are no consequences for students who are violent or disrespectful. Parent and teacher input is not valued or respected. It goes in one ear and out the other. This school is going down hill so fast it’s not even funny. If you want your child to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and healthy learning environment, this school is not the place for them.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2024

The biggest problem with this school is the principal, Mr. Walton. He cares more about forming cliques and alliances than providing our kids structure and discipline. We were so blessed with our previous principals and were hoping with Dr. Mayer's arrival as superintendent, he would deal with this issue. So many parents have voiced complaints and we really expected our voices to be heard in firing Scott Walton, but we came to learn last night the plan instead was to fire one of our SEL teachers who was incredible, and a third-grade teacher's position was eliminated reducing each grade to two classrooms. This is because instead of proactively handling children's behavior issues with their parents, Mr. Walton chose a customer-service approach as he lacked the leadership skills to properly handle issues. ARS then approved IEPs for 40% of the 3rd-grade class, and now SEL and teachers are being fired to cover up leadership's poor handling of these kids. I never thought I'd utter these words... but if Mr. Walton stays, we will lose any confidence left in the school board and Dr. Mayer's decision-making abilities, and send our children to private school. It's just crazy how fast this once-lauded elementary school has completely fallen apart. These poor teachers and aides... it's not their faults. It's truly the administration and school board.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2023

The teachers are amazing. The support staff is just as amazing. We came from a neighboring private school. Me personally, kicking and screaming. I was so worried that my children's "everything" was going to suffer. Boy was I wrong! It was the complete opposite of everything I "thought was going to happen." I haven't regretted their enrollment one bit since the transfer. The teachers are absolutely amazing. The effort they put into the children's education and well being is just astounding. Not only with my own kids but with each and every student. The nursing staff, the administrative staff, the custodial staff...I can go on and on. You may be reading this and thinking to yourself that this is just a fluff review in order to bolster stars. In fact, it truly is not. Plan and simple, it's a great school in a great community.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

I don't know why the rating of this school is so low, this school deserves 10/10. We moved from Palatine to Fox River Grove and my kids are absolutely thrilled with the school and the teachers. All huge professionals, my children learned more in one year than in two in another school. I hope nothing will change in the future and the rating will increase.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2022

When we relocated our family, we chose the Fox River Grove community in part because of their schools. We loved the idea of a small community with only one elementary school where the kids all knew each other and we could have the same "neighborhood" community feel we grew up with as children. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Remember, this is an ELEMENTARY school, so when controversial topics were brought up by the teacher on more than one occasion, I was really shocked. I had small children coming home asking me "What's an insurrection" and other inappropriate political questions for such a young age. In addition, the correspondence they sent to the entire community shocked me. While I completely respect that navigating the pandemic put schools and teachers in a very tough position, I found it really off-putting that they their community correspondence was so divisive. I questioned the administration and they were unapologetic and shrugged it off as "their hands being tied". Even if that's the case, the correspondence being sent to the community should reflect that their number one goal is to make the learning experience fun, and positive for these children who have already been through so much, especially the younger ones who have never even had a "normal" school experience. We left ARS and are much happier in a private school, and I know I am fortunate enough to have that option.On a positive note, I know that virtual learning was incredibly challenging for both students and staff, and the teachers were very patient and hard working trying to handle all these kids on virtual meetings.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2021

When my family and i moved to FRG we were super excited to enroll our child in such a great school district and tight knit community. Well.. we were wrong and I'm not the only parent with a child who didn't have a wonderful experience. The school lacks resources for children with needs. My child has ADHD and possibly SPD and struggles with emotions. Instead of contacting me and keeping me in the loop I was given a sheet asking if I'd like to enroll my child in a program that assists with emotional support with their occupational therapist. I was maybe contacted one time about it after signing up and then nothing. Come to find out my child was allowed to swear during his meetings, was put in weighted vests WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!!!! and also made some puzzling comments about his feelings and yet noone thought to contact his parent . My child was more of a problem for them than a child with needs and I am not the only parent who feels this way. Unfortunately because it's a small community, it makes it difficult to complain . Luckily we won't be back so I could care less . This is not the first school my child has attended and the other was open to communicate often, offered advice and keep me in the loop for everything. OH and most importantly asked my permission on things . Shame we left that district and ended up with this one. I won't complain on the curriculum.. a few teachers are no good but most were awesome. The bullying is ignored here if your child has needs so heads up to those with children who have depression, adhd, etc. I really wanted to like this place but they crossed the line one to many times and the poor communication made it a big NO for me . Just to be clear .. this is just a sliver of issues we dealt with.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2017

This school does a wonderful job at building leadership skills and confidence in it's children, while also stressing compassion, empathy and helping each other. They get the kids excited about learning, and prepare them for the challenges they will face at the junior high level. I believe it is a combination of a closely-knit community (I beg to differ that it's "cliquish"), well-educated, resourceful teachers who sacrifice for their students, and great volunteer parents that help the students succeed as a whole.
Submitted by other on May 11, 2017

Friendly supportive staff. Low teacher/ student ration allows for more individual learning and challenges based on the child. So glad I moved to this community perfect for my kids. (yes community is a little cliquish but friendly)
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2012

Impressed and thankful for the hands on attention that my son receives. The smaller class sizes and the amazing leadership of the Principal and the driven teachers to go above and beyond for each student is evident daily. A very pleased parent
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2012

Agree 100% with the parent who posted April 20, 2011. "Narrow minded, provincial...does nothing to challenge gifted students...children come home each day with folders of fill-in-the-blank type assignments." The curriculum offers very little authenticity or room for creativity and is heavy on rote learning.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2011

I am very disappointed in this school. I find that it reflects the personality of the greater community: narrow minded, provincial, and cliquish. If one could give half stars, I would actually rate it a 2 and 1/2 instead of 3. The school does nothing to challenge gifted students and has almost no after school programs. It is a pity, because a school like this with a relatively low student/teacher ratio could offer a much more progressive education. My children come home each day with folders full of almost nothing but fill-in-the-blank type assignments. I had read an article in Chicago Parent magazine that rated the school as one of the best in the county (McHenry). I am very curious about their methodology. If I recall correctly, parental involvement was heavily weighted but the only evidence of this I have witnessed is parental OVER-involvement in sports!