West Riverside Elementary School

2801 Herschel Street

School District

Duval County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Duval County Public Schools

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 14, 2024

We have had 8 years at the school with 3 kids in the Spanish dual language program. This school is like a little family and provides so many opportunities for growth and to be known.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2023

Teacher was very nice and kind very good student in this school and my kid is very exited learning in this school
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2021

I’ve been a West Riverside parent for nearly three years. I love this school. This year I had a good experience when I needed to bring an issue to the attention of the new assistant principal. He was caring and competent and resolved the issue. Ms. Mann in the office is amazing. That woman seemingly knows everything and she will get the job done! She is a huge asset. I am also pleased with the level of diversity found in the student body as well as the staff - a huge advantage for the students. The only mild fault I can come up with would be in the area of homework. I fundamentally believe that elementary children should have little to no homework. Just a difference in philosophy. The homework requirements last year seemed excessive, in my opinion. But this year has been has been better. I’m not sure if that’s due to a difference in teachers or a school-wide change due to the pandemic. It has certainly been a wild ride since March 2020, but the teachers and administration have taken it in stride and done a commendable job. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2020

Very bad experience. Academically child learned nothing at this school and ended up several years behind in reading. Still suffers from residual impacts of getting bullied at this school.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2018

Amazing school! Small classes and caring teachers. This school has the nicest kids maybe due to how diverse it is. Unfortunately secret is out there are now wait lists for the magnet and incredible vpk. Still can't say enough good things about West Riverside.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2018

Beautiful school and wonderful caring teachers and staff. Very thankful for all at WRES.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2016

My daughter has attended WRES since 1st grade and she is now in 5th. We have had GREAT, caring teachers every year. I believe due to the amount of parent envolvement it is a prosperous environment for children to learn. The principal for the past 3 years, Dr. Johnson, really loves each child and it shows. With every situation and environment there are going to be those few difficulties, however, I have another older child that we have experienced a couple different elementary schools and WRES has been my favorite by far.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2016

I have two kids at West Riverside and our experience at the school has been extremely positive. My son was in the first class of dual-language kindergarten several years ago, and my daughter started in the first class of dual language VPK. They have had some truly exceptional teachers, inspiring art classes, a good balance of learning without an overload of homework or stress, and access to all the resources a parent would hope for. The small size of this school creates very a warm atmosphere. The staff know all the kids and parents and are really devoted to the school. Drop off and pick-up are a breeze, and the building itself is bright and pleasant. This school is a gem.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

My husband and I could not be happier with our neighborhood school - diversity, academic challenge, parent/teacher/staff support and love are all hallmarks of WRES. Our oldest started kindergarten here and was the first class of the dual language program, which has flourished along with its students. Our middle child was so excited to go to his brother's school for the dual language VPK, which the youngest will join in August. All of us love the family movie nights and family game nights/afternoons organized by the PTA. We have been blessed with a true community of caring!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

My daughter did free VPK last year (phenomenal teacher and assist. teacher) and is in Kindergarten this year. She is in the dual language program for Spanish. Her teachers have been wonderful and are responsive to working with students of varying abilities. She is advanced and they customize lessons for her. The PTA is fantastic - check out their Facebook page - and there are always dances and activities for the students. The population of the school is small and students receive individual attention. I can't wait until my daughter finishes Kindergarten bilingual AND biliterate! Go WRES Gators!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

My children have been attending WRES for 5 years now and I was fortunate enough to work for this wonderful school for 6 years prior to that. Can't say enough positive things about it, from both a parent and faculty perspective. No school is perfect but, overall, our experience has been awesome. Small, family-like environment where all the teachers know all the students and truly care about their academic and social success. Both of my daughters have been given additional opportunities for advanced enrichment when needed, as well as leadership opportunities, and I know every teacher really does all they can to ensure every child is successful. WRES is the hidden gem of Riverside!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

WRES overall is a GREAT school! I love how personal and small it is. My son came from a small private school where everyone knew him. I was nervous how he would transition into a big school where it would take years to get to know him. Within the first 2 weeks of school, the principle, office staff and many other teachers called him by name (and not because of discipline LOL) I also could not believe how much Spanish my son learned after only a few months!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2014

My daughter and I are both new to WRES and couldn't be more optimistic about the year. Last year she attended Timuquan, due to district and not "getting into" the magnet lottery in time to get her into Stockton. While she excelled in her subjects and was never an issue, I count by blessings because she had not 1 but 4 different teachers in her Kindergarten year. Way to set the standard, right?! I also had constant concerns about the end of the day dismissal policy. Never once was my ID checked to assure my child left with whom she was suppose too. I know 1st hand from family who have been at WRES that these are issues I can lay at rest. Just enrolling my child was a healthy and friendly experience. We are so excited to be a part of WRES this year and every year after until 5th grade graduation.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2014

My daughter just finished her first year in the new Dual Language program and we have been really impressed at how the program is run. Everyone at the school is friendly and helpful. We are thrilled that this program is offered right in our neighborhood. Glad we got in when we did.
Submitted by teacher on June 30, 2014

The school should be renamed Worst Riverside. It is more like a shelter than an educational institution. Your heart will break everyday you send your child to school. Your chikd will tell you stories about other children and their lives at s hook and home that will shock you. Sure you can argue that this is real-life and that children need to know about others who are in constant danger or even impoverished. WRES will do everything it can to furnish your chikd with food and medical care, even clothing. The teachers are devoted, but can seldom meet academic goals because of their social work and nursing. This is a neighborhood school without its neighborhood. Affluent Avondale and Riverside has abandoned WRES because of its policies to keep ESOL students ad Starz students, whom are bused in adding more than half of the school's population. If you are a parent in need, or have a child who does not speak English, or has failed more than one school year, this is the place for you. He or she will be embraced and protected. They will be socially promoted out of 5th grade towards their GEDs or military. There is nothing aspirational about this school.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2014

Our first three weeks at this school were tough to due overcrowding but since then, it has been excellent. The principal is truly loved by the students and parents. The new dual language program is providing an extra challenge and the bonus of two teachers for kids in that program. The staff is involved and family like. We are very happy with our choice and wish more Riverside families would come back to WRES. It's now a magnet program and great things are happening.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

WRES has been a great experience for my child. Having experienced kindergarten at a large, suburban A school where neither of us felt comfortable the size and population of WRES has been a welcome change. The teachers and students represent a true slice of life with all races and socioeconomic backgrounds present. I feel my child has made life long friends, as have I, and that the teachers genuinely know and love my child. I'm sad that we only have a year and a half left.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2013

I personally like the school. What people fail to realize by looking at the schools grade is the demographic. We have ALOT of families that have the financial means to send their children to the plethora of private schools in the area. At this point we are left with shipping other kids into our area that barely speak the language. This grade isn't fair representation of what our school is. To the parents that had a bad experience with a teacher, you can get a bad egg in any carton. It's a question of what you are looking for in a school. Our school, our neighbor hood ,is close knit and I feel like they are doing a great job. Is there room for improvement? Yes, but that goes for any learning institution. As far as curriculum is concerned, that's all district based. What our kids get taught is what the other schools teach also.of we want a change we all need to stand up and be heard. Write letters show up for meetings. Be accountable for what and how our young people are being taught. I put it to anyone that reads my post. Do your research on our school before you make a choice.ask questions, look at the general population. We need our local families to come home!
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2013

My daughter has been at WRES since 1st grade, now she's in 5th grade. It's not just a school, it's a family. We, teachers and parents, work together to help our children succeed.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

I want to preface this comment by saying that what I experienced is my experience and not a slam on every single teacher at this school. This was the worst experience I could have ever imagined in a public school. My child came from an A rated public school, but because of the parents reviews on this site, I decided to give it a shot. Truly the biggest injustice that I've ever given my son. This school was nearly an entire grade level behind his old school at the beginning. The teacher he was placed with was clearly unhappy with herself or personal life etc. and brought it to school with her every day. She was incredibly rude, to the children, to the parents, and I even had a member of the office staff whisper to me one day that this particular teacher even scared them a bit. It was a learning experience to say the least. My child will now be going to a private school because that is the only other option at the moment.