Northridge Elementary School

555 Southpark Road

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 June 17, 2023

We will give an honest review of our experience and observations over many years. Principal works hard, is approachable and seems to be liked by most parents and employees. Office staff is no longer friendly and can be downright rude on the phone. So maybe don't take it personally. Specials offered are nice but there are too many. Kids don't get enough time in each to learn much in any one subject. Phys Ed is really lacking. If you want your kids to learn sports, rules and test basic physical aptitude it won't happen at school. Good social emotional lessons. Very good school counselor but sadly she quit. Academics are okay. Northridge is one of only a few in the district with the discovery GT program. Teachers and parents call it a school within a school. It helps Northridge with high testing scores it receives every year. The school also spends weeks teaching to the standardized tests and putting kids under pressure to perform leading up to the test. Maybe that is standard at all public schools? Discovery program at the school is not good for students who learn too early they are not special or good enough or smart enough to be included in discovery. We have even seen the rest of the students referred to as "non-discovery". There are a lot of cliquey parents associated with the discovery program depending on the year who can make other families feel excluded or as if their children are less than. Other school districts manage and integrate GT programming better and more compassionately. Really high turnover rate with students and teachers. A few great teachers. Too many teachers and support people who are really burnt out and negative who need a new challenge, grade to teach or career change before it affects too many more kids. Being able to connect to your child's classroom and teacher is inconsistent and mostly lacking. A few teachers request classroom volunteers. Majority in each grade do not welcome any help or any parent presence. This is uncomfortable and has concerned us for many reasons. The school building is old. They fix and update some things but the age and too many students crammed in to the old building takes away from their learning experience. This has improved somewhat with fewer and fewer students every year. Still too many kids for the building. Overall Northridge gets a C from us as a public school in Douglas County in 2023.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2023

Our three children attend this school and it has been wonderful for our kids and family. Northridge has an inclusive culture and environment, they focus on the whole child, and they emphasize problem solving and critical thinking. The children at this school are really nice, bullying is minimal, and behavior problems are delt with in a constructive way. The school fosters good leadership, teamwork, and community. ALL the teachers are engaged and passionate about educating and helping the kids. The whole school (teachers, staff, administration, etc.) genuinely cares about all the children and work to help all of them each according to their needs. Finally, the principal (Katie) is outstanding and she works hard to make this a good school, and to protect the children, teachers, and staff. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2023

I have a child in G&T here and another in a “regular” classroom. We love this school so much. My G&T kid is involved in multiple clubs and competitions and has received so much support from his teachers and the admin. The diverse student enrollment is amazing too - especially for the area we live in. The school embraces that diversity with school activities and the specials that are offered. We open enrolled here knowing that our kids would receive an amazing education.
Submitted by other on December 26, 2022

The admin of this building are despicable. They will spend their efforts lying, covering up their lies and deflecting blame. They will not spend time supporting your student, building a positive school culture, or holding them to rigorous academic standards.You will have to fight with them tooth and nail to get them to do things correctly they should have done initially.Avoid this school at all cost, it is not worth the damage they will do to your child and household.I’ve never seen a worse run school.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2021

Both our kids have learning differences. One was on an IEP and now is on a 504, and the other is in G&T. The school has been wonderful for them and us. They really do care about the children and work hard to make sure their needs are met. They also work hard to provide a good environment for the kids: they take care in hiring good teachers that fit with their approach, they are on top of bullying and bad behavior and take a productive approach, they encourage good leadership, they help kids with development and growth, and they foster and reinforce an inclusive environment. The kids are able to reach their potential and the results are reflected in the test scores and ratings for this school.
Submitted by other on September 17, 2021

this is the most amazing school - i can't even put it into words. northridge was my HOME. i know how silly that sounds for an elementary school but its true. i joined in 2nd grade for the gt program, called discovery, and all the teachers i experienced were just incredible mentors and friends. the fact that mandarin is a special is awesome, and i now speak relatively fluently in just 4 years because of the brilliant mandarin teacher. its a very warm and accommodating school; they have lgbtq+ and blm posters in the hallways. in an elementary school. its so welcoming. im graduated now, and when i visit nre for my little sister, i have to refrain from tears because of all the nostalgia.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2018

I couldn't be more happy. 2nd and 3rd grade were great for my kids. The entire staff is wonderful positive and are obviously happy to be working with the kids.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2018

Terrible. We will not return next year.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2017

Compassionate teachers, plentiful learning opportunities, awareness of and appreciation of learning differences, small community feel, friendly environment. We are SO FORTUNATE that this is our neighborhood school! Couldn't ask for more!
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2016

Northridge is a place where students are truly valued for who they are, no matter what. There are so many opportunities to grow in a variety of ways. My son loves his teachers and really enjoys the variety of specials that are offered. We are so happy to have a place where we feel confident in both the administration as well as the teaching and support staff.
Submitted by other on January 27, 2016

I would have rated it five stars, as I loved K-5th Grade. However, the 6th grade teachers were horrible. You just get a big packet of worksheets in math, and the English teacher just lectures while you take notes. I got to seventh grade and was completely unprepared because of these bad teachers. But K-5 was great. The 5th grade team is one of the best, and the kindergarten teachers are great.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2015

We have been thrilled with the academic and social development of our children since they have been at Northridge. The teachers were quick to see the children's strengths and weaknesses, and adjusted what they were doing so that each of our kids was challenged. Our kids loved the before and after school activities and the specials. The principal was very involved and supportive.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2015

The principal here is rude to parents. The teachers are allowed to do whatever they like regardless of strong parental negative feedback. Parents who stand up for their kids will be treated badly. My son was bullied for 4 months there, as were other children, while the principal tried to say it was all in his head! I've never hated a school like this one, I cringe just hearing her voice. The sixth grade teachers are horrible. They don't teach - for math, you get huge packets of worksheets. English and math are also completely on computers except for these huge packets. ReadingPlus is a horrible program that causes headaches and doesn't align with the mental model of reading (skip back to improve comprehension) - as a usability engineer with an MS in this field, I voiced these expert opinions - the principal could care less. I am desperately trying to find another place for my son - my daughter just barely survived sixth grade there, and he would have the same "teachers". My daughter is a cute, athletic, fun-loving, comedic gal who makes friends everywhere, except Northridge, where the girls will ask you whether you're a Republican and who your parents voted for. She eventually found some good male friends, and the kids loved the Chinese teacher, but for the rest, unless they get rid of the horrible principal and 6th grade teachers, I would beware.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

We have moved around a lot for work and this is by far the friendliest and most academically rigorous school our kids have ever been in. You can feel the love that the teachers and administration have for kids when you walk in the door, and you can tell that they have high expectations for children by listening to the type of conversation that the kids have with one another and their teachers. Thank you Northridge.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2014

I didn't realize how exceptional this school was until we left (moved out of state). The teachers meet students at whatever level they are at and work with them to excel from whatever the starting point is. Academically this school is top-notch. It gets the outstanding scores for a reason.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

This school provides so many different avenues for kids to learn! It is one of the only Douglas County schools with a Discovery program for talented and gifted kids. My daughter is in discovery and has had amazing teachers since Kinder.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

My family loves Northridge. I have a kindergartner and a third grader. After three and a half years at this school, I have had nothing but positive experiences with the school, the teachers, and the administration. Mrs Morris (the principal) is so passionate about her students and keeping the school heading in the right direction. The teachers are all amazing. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteering, lots of extra curricular options, help for students at all levels, and many community events to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness. It's an amazing place to be and everyone in my family is thrilled to be a part of such a great neighborhood school.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2012

I am so grateful for Northridge!! Just in half a year at this school my son has begun to improve scholastically and socially. Both my 1st grader and kindergarten student were welcomed in mid year and the teachers were more than I could have imagined. Both teachers were Attentive, easy to talk to and the communication was excellent on all levels. My son's 1st grade teacher was outstanding and spent extra time helping him catch up and my daughters teacher was wonderful she loved her class and learned so much. I open enrolled my kids here and are so thankful they were accepted in. The principle is committed and communicates effectively and in a timely manner. She is a very sincere person. Parents are friendly and welcoming , so many school activities and functions , parent participation, academics that nurture each child. So pleased with this school!!!! Outstanding all around Northridge !! Thank you!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2011

Northridege has been the best thing that has happend to our boys! We have moved from state to state due to my husbands job and the level of education we are recieving at this school far exceeds the rest! The teachers go out of their way to make sure each child is succesful, understanding the material, and to top it off they make it fun! My 2nd grader is having a blast, my Kindergartner is writting, reading, doing math, and even a bit of spanish! What more could you ask for? Northridge has it all! I love this school and more importantly my boys love this school!!! Hats off to Elizabeth Morris and her team they get an A+