Lone Tree Elementary School

9375 Heritage Hills Circle

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 October 02, 2024

This school has exceeded my expectations! My son entered Kindergarten without recognizing all of his letters. By the end of the year he was proficient in sounding out words and reading simple sentences, now he is at the beginning of first grade and fluently reading even difficult words. I definitely continue to see progress in his learning. The emotional support of the Principle is amazing and if your child is having a rough day or anxious about going to school, she will personally come and greet them and take care of them. I have also been impressed with the school counselor-we have only had to have her help once since my child is overall well-adjusted and happy to go to school-but when we did, she gave us her cell phone and called us to ensure that our child was doing okay that day. All of the staff I have interacted with are very caring and provide a nurturing environment for our kids.
Submitted by teacher on October 19, 2019

The best by far. I would take my children back if I could.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

This is our first year, still in observation mode. Teachers seem little laid back and just trying to check mark through the curriculum set by Douglas County by offering a bare minimum, of course to make it better without any homework.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2018

This school needs lots of improvement before it can make it to at least 3 stars.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2018

Adequate but uninspired. Reliance on websites to teach instead of hands-on teaching. Nice but complacent teachers and leadership. We changed schools because we felt our child wasn’t being challenged enough academically. I thought the small class size would be great, but it didn’t translate into as much personalized attention as promised.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2018

Excellent school that instills good values and character !
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

We moved to Lone Tree from Maryland and our biggest concern was finding a school for our 6 year old that would be as good or better than the school he attended prior to moving. We found Lone Tree and I couldn't be happier!!!! The staff are amazing and kind. The teachers are focused and determined to help the students. My son gets one-on-one attention daily, I know because I've volunteered and seen how involved the teacher is with each student. The leadership has community events and parent involvement throughout the year. It's a real community feel at this school and best of all, our son is excelling!
Submitted by student on April 03, 2017

We feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing school. We were able to get in for my son in 3rd grade and now we are in 5th. Every teacher, every year has gone above and beyond for him. They are so understanding and supportive at whatever level your child is at. Mrs. Hogan and Mrs Twete helped our son so much with his math struggles while building his confidence. This school deserves 1000 stars in my book and will be sad to have to leave this elementary school next year!!! Taking a leap of faith and leaving our home school to come here was the best thing to happen to our family!
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2017

Principal Mindy Persichina makes this school. I love the principal. Some of the teachers are simply amazing, but that does depend on the personality matches with parent, child and teacher. My son is in first grade and has Mrs. Arro and she has been wonderful to work with. My son is not the easiest child to work with, but she has been great to partner with to find solutions for him. He is thriving and progressing with his learning much faster than he ever did in Kindergarten. Kindergarten was a bad personality match between his teach and myself. I have had a night and day difference between Kindergarten and 1st grade. The one constant, positive influence that brought me back for first grade for my son is the principal. I can't speak more highly of her and her administrative front office. She really has a heart for kids and their progress. I can't say Lone Tree Elementry (LTE) is a perfect fit for everyone. The community surrounding LTE does have an impact on the school for better or worse. There are a lot of cliques. Money and influence do have an effect on the kids. Some of the positive affects are the smaller class size, great technology in class room and technology lab are top notch. There are a lot of parent volunteers. Fewer fundraiser most years than other schools. PTA is great to work with. Perfection is for the gods. LTE is excellent, however.
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2015

The teachers and staff at LTE really seem to be committed to developing our kids. We were in Ireland for a few years and when we came back, they made a special effort to make sure the kids fit back into the groove at LTE. In fact, the kids fell behind while in Ireland, but are quickly getting back on track. Great principal and an office staff that really cares.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2015

Our son attended this school for 3 years and the experience was awful - both academically and socially. He was bullied from day-one, and our multiple pleas for help from his teachers and the principal were ignored, denied or met with half-hearted attempts to help. After a first year of incessant bullying and exclusion from the "clique", our son simply receeded into the background and got lost. When he was designated as a Gifted learner (through test scores and an outside assessment), there was ZERO done to teach him at a different level. There was no "personalized learning" despite the LTE PR campaign. No ILP, no support from the teacher, nothing. (Which triggered me to remember that I was told during enrollment by LTE staff that if our son had any learning challenges, LTE would not support him/was not the school for him.) This school looks great from the outside and many people strive to get their kids into it because of the rich demographics surrounding it. For us, this school was all veneer and no true substance: Poor academics, overwhelmed teachers (some who yell at the kids) and a primary focus on maintaining an "elite" school status.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2015

It is a great little school with a private school vibe. There's limited enrollment and only 3 classrooms/75 kids per grade level. Think small and cozy. The principal, Ms. Persichina, is energetic and dynamic. My child started here in K last year and has thrived. Before you apply for admission, know that this school requires a commitment. There is no bus service. There's a $200 fee to cover some of the technology costs. It feels like a very exclusive clique once your child is accepted. Yes, the school is a little bit snobbish. Yes, there are a lot of moms who pick up their children in Escalades while wearing Lululemon. Yes, it is true. Several Broncos coaches and Denver media personalities have children in this school. Yes, the gala fundraiser raised over $100,000. Yes, girls wear Uggs to school. But the staff stresses an environment of kindness. Because of the small size, they become a close-knit group. You will also find racial/socioeconomic diversity here. Sure, some kids live next door in Heritage Hills, but some come from Aurora and Denver to attend. The registration process is very competitive but it is worth it. I would not trade schools!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

We opened-enrolled our oldest to Lone Tree Magnet Elementary and have been so happy with the strong educational foundation she has been given at this school. The leadership from the principal is top-notch and has trickled down throughout every member of the school's teaching and staff team members -- this group invests so much in this school to make it excellent for students. Our daughter is learning critical thinking and academic skills that are beyond what her peers at other area elementary schools are learning, and all in a fun environment with 3 recess opportunities (a.m., lunch & p.m.), which is such a rare combination in today's schools. And despite the issues at the Douglas County Schools district level, you feel very removed from that at this school. We love LTE!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2014

Best thing that could have happened to my daughters. Their kindergarten staff is the best. Overall atmosphere is very good. Surprisingly the school is not affected by the snobbish atmosphere of surrounding parents.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2012

We have been at this AMAZING school for 5 years. This school teaches children to be critical thinkers. They have excellent teachers and a strong principal. Who cares that this is our 3rd principal, if they all have strong leadership that is all that matters. Both of my children are academically strong, have excellent problem solving skills and and critical thinkers. We take Pride in LTE
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2012

We recently moved to this school and have been very disappointed. Everyone is very nice and friendly; however, there does not seem to be a priority given to academics. The school is very behind compared to other elementary schools in the district. When teachers are asked about spelling programs, etc. their response is "we're still working on that." Since I am coming from an education background, they shouldn't still be figuring out programs and curriculum halfway through the school year. All the curriculum should be worked out in the summer. When students enter the classroom the first day of school, the teachers should have their curriculum and lessons in place for the entire school year. This could be why the tests scores for this school are low compared to other schools in the area. This school could be great if they got a strong leader to run the school. Three different principals in 5 years does not help. Hopefully, someone at the district level will read this and make some necessary changes at the school.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2011

A new year and another uninspired, under qualified teacher. The principal left the school one week before opening day, and left her new hire in the hands of the interim principal. Just because you worked in the business world, or worked as a substitute, does not mean you should teach 6th graders! This school has not had ONE year since it opened that the 6th grade team has remained intact. What a horrible way for my son to end his tenure at LTE. What teacher, besides an inexperienced one, tells students "we will not behaving any fun this week" on the first day of school? My son's best friend is in the neighboring 6th grade class, and they are taught to LOVE learning through FUN. Wake up LTE administrators. We have been sold down the river, again.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2011

We are very happy at LTE! All my children love going to school and I attribute that to the great teachers they've had as well as the Highly Effective Teaching model. This school is creating learners who can problem solve, self question/evaluate and collaborate effectively. If you think your children learn best in a traditional program (i.e. skill and drill) or you focus solely on standardized test scores then this is not the place for you.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2011

If you are someone who doesn't mind waiting and hoping for the best then maybe this school is for you but if you are someone who needs data and a proven track record or indication of a prospectively successful track record then this is definitely not the place for you.