Kendrick Lakes Elementary School

1350 South Hoyt Street

School District

Jeffco Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

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 November 14, 2024

I think a lot of the complaints about Kendrick Lakes are from years prior when there was a different principal. The new principal (Touher) has been a wonderful addition to the school. The changes have been very positive. Every teacher we have had has been invested in my child's emotional well-being in addition to their academic progress. There is clear communication with Parents, and lots of great ways to get involved. You can be as involved as you want to be.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2024

After relocating from a deplorable school system on the other side of the country this school was a breath of fresh air. The staff is kind and helpful and my son who was struggling with reading has improved significantly in the last three months! They have many activities for family engagement and the community really shows up to support the kids.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2024

They have no communication skills, told they are too busy to communicate with parents by the principle. Theyll just call the police department if they have an issue with you, scare your child, and push you away. Academics are not too great, my child has strive since leaving.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

So much bullying. There is a never ending abundance of bullies. Teachers are zero help. If your children are like stepford wives children you will love this school. Otherwise steer clear of their shiny new school. It’s a facade.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2022

Kendrick lakes is a top school that feels like a real community. Teachers are very invested in student progress and they are rebounding from COVID. The new building is amazing, PTA goes above and beyond, and the leadership is strong.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2022

I have two children attending Kendrick Lakes Elementary school. It is a wonderful school. The new facilities, building and playgrounds are less than a year old, are great. The teachers, support staff, and administrators are engaged and supportive. I always feel informed about my children's progress and opportunities. I highly recommend Kendrick Lakes Elementary.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2019

So far we love it. Many different ways for the kids to sit in class, multiple recesses, access to teachers and my kid is learning to read at an incredible pace!
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2019

I can only speak as an incoming parent my child just started kindergarten. I have gone to many of the PTA meetings and volunteered at the school to try and get a feel of the environment. With the transition from preschool to kindergarten, so far, we have had a great experience. The community is very welcoming, most parents I found (95%) care about their children education and are involved. The teachers and staff are very professional and strive to be the best, they appreciate all the parent involvement. You will find a lot of diversity at KL. I was hesitant about sending my child to KL but I’m happy I did- a school is what you make of it and with the solid parent involvement it’s been a good transition. The main criteria for me was I wanted a solid-good small “neighborhood-feel” school that my child would feel welcoming and KL didn’t disappoint. The teachers and staff all know my child by name. We enjoy seeing my child’s classmates at community events, sports and rec centers. Finally, the afterschool activities are fun and available to all kids (affordable). My child loves all the craft activities that is offered. The principal (in my opinion) seems to be moving the school in the right direction, one of her goal is to make each grade systemic so it doesn’t matter which teacher your child gets, they will all be learning the same material and more collaboration within each grade levels. Very transparent with sharing how the school is doing overall, what the strength are and what needs to be worked on. I feel when I address my concerns they are listened to and I don’t have any hesitation in doing so. Finally an additional bonus KL will get a brand new school within the next year or so.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

Having personally grown up in North Denver, and going to the inner city schools (Valdez/Columbian, Horace Mann/Skinner, Denver North), I cannot say enough good things about the way this school is operated. The staff is amazing, the PTA puts together amazing events throughout the year, and my child is accelerating at a rate I couldn't have possibly imagined. 100% proud supporter of the Kendrick Lakes Dolphins!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2018

Horrible the teachers are the bullies they encourage bullies to behave worse
Submitted by other on May 23, 2017

The teachers are, for the most part, great. The new principal could care less about the school. In order to 'fit in', you must be part of the PTA. If you are not, you are basically shunned. There is a bully problem at the school, however no one wants to deal with it or admit it. There have been some pretty mean things said to my kid from kids who fit the 'in crowd' or PTA community. If you're a sheeple kind of person, you'll do fine. If not, avoid this school at all costs.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2016

My child just finished up kindergarten at KLAKES. To my knowledge, and based on our experiences thus far, the school is a great elementary school as schools go. However, our kindergarten teacher was pregnant this year and missed an abnormal amount of days (we're talking 15+ easily). This without a doubt effected our child's learning experience. We feel alternative accommodations should've been made early on in the year, and that the responsibility of 20 young minds during such a crucial time in their development should not have been intrusted to someone so focused on other things. We will not be moving schools, but are hoping for a better year in first grade. All in all, if you plan on paying for full day kindergarten here, it may leave much to be desired.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

What a breath of fresh air! We transferred from a nearby high pressure, high scoring school after my children began to hate school. Now they love school! Our new principal as of January 2013 focused first on creating good relationships with the staff and parents and it's made a big difference in the feel of our school. We made a big effort to help the lower achieving students with math last year and they are doing great! Our gifted and talented programs is project based and the kids enjoy working in an environment like the real world. Our general ed teachers are stable and caring. This school has a diverse community of families and we celebrated it with an International Fair last fall. A huge success! Join us - our kinder teachers are fabulous!
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

My children have been attending this school since 2006. We chose this school because it was our neighborhood school, and had good enough test scores. Since 2006, they have had 3 different principles, and I have never had a conversation with any of them, ever. However, the teachers at this school are amazing!!! Every single one of them! They are all very experienced, dedicated, and good at their jobs. When we moved out of the area, we stayed at KLES because we were so impressed by the teachers. They are what make this school so great. My kids have learned so much from them, including how to be a wonderful person (which is not something they test for). We love this school!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2014

We've been very happy with the choice we made to send our child to this school. It's friendly, comfortable, and welcoming right up front. The GT program is challenging and the after school activities are numerous. We highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2014

We have, in general, been pleased with KLakes. I'm sorry to see that others are not. We have a little different situation in that we are in the G and T program and maybe things are different there. What I will say is that there seems to be a strong community of parents -- which can be good and "bad." When you get very strong parent opinions, sometimes those may will out over what is best for the school. I have noticed that the "bullying" that goes on in my kid's classroom is handled in a very "let's try to all get along" approach and I would like to kids held more accountable for their actions. We love the teacher we had last year and hope to have a similar positive experience this year. Although at times, the home work was -- wow -- a lot -- we think our kid has really accomplished a lot and enjoys the challenge. We personally wish there was more structured play time during recess instead of kids just roaming around gossiping -- there doesn't seem to be much incentive for the kids to be active outside and if it slightly cold or raining they come in and watch movies. We figure if that is the worst issue then things can't be too bad. :)
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2014

My husband and I were skeptical of this school given the rating and state grade; however, decided to test it for a year. We were extremely disappointed with the handling of a bullying situation that surfaced shortly after the school year began. Our child who loved preK became closed off about school and no longer enjoyed it. We approached the Kindergarten teacher who confirmed the bullying was happening. We asked her to keep us abreast of the situation and received no follow up. We attempted working with the parents of the child but they would not spare any time to help the children work out difficulties. The principal made it clear he wanted no part in mediating with us and the other parents and even said he did not believe a child in Kindergarten could be a bully, though the teacher along with a substitute had confirmed the behavior. Lastly, the very child who bullied our child along with other classmates was given a 'citizenship' award at the graduation ceremony. We are extremely disappointed and surprised at the negligent mishandling of this situation, especially in light of the problems with bullying escalating in CO as well as around the country. Would not recommend.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2014

This school is on the right track!! It has been a year now since the new principal has been in place and I have to say that I m EXTREMELY pleased with his leadership. Any time that I have had a question or concern, he has been prompt to respond and I feel his decisions are fair. I have also noticed improvements in the way that my child s teacher manages her classroom and is working to engage students. I HIGHLY recommend Kendrick Lakes to others. This school has a fair amount of diversity and strives to challenge students to be life-long learners. For those who are displeased, it s important to remember that EVERY school has challenges, and the experience you have is directly related to what you put into it.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2014

Teachers are all about making sure they teach to the "test". My child is only evaluate based on his ability to "score". The principal is new and no doubt wants to stay there so the pressure to have test scores high is incredible. They removed their PYP programming which was a devastating blow...not enough "teacher buy-in". Well of course not. Not when the pressure to teach to the "test" is all this school is about. If all you care about are state test scores for your elementary child's education than this is the school for you.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2013

This school is awful. Their student to teacher ratio is so low that they have to merge grades in order to accommodate their students. Their special needs program is severely lacking to the point where we have to home school our child. The teachers are uncaring and stand by while other students get bullied, beaten, and while gangs of students attack one child, yet the one child gets in trouble just because he is labeled "special needs". We are withdrawing our child immediately. I would never send any of my other children to this schoool. Horrible.