Falk Elementary School

6323 Woodington Way

School District

Madison Metropolitan
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for Madison Metropolitan 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 August 11, 2023

The school leadership and teachers have given my two kids a great experience so far (Eldest is in 1st grade and youngest in K). There are many outreach programs to keep the parents involved and interacting with teachers and the community. My daughter shows me in the Class Dojo APP the fun teacher/ kid racing and other events that keep learning engaging. I know this specific school serves a high number of low income and children without much English prior to starting school. My kids are in the dual language immersion and love it. I am very grateful for the full experience my kids are getting at Anana Elementary (formerly known as Falk).
Submitted by other on March 24, 2016

I am proud to be a part of the Falk school community, a truly diverse school within MMSD. As a former teacher in Milwaukee schools and former MMSD employee, I can say that our school is distinct in its warmth, kindness, and dedication towards all children and their families. They do an amazing job meeting the needs of a diverse population. Teachers are responsive and involved, and leadership is committed to the wellbeing of staff and students.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2016

I am extremely pleased with the leadership and staff at this school. They face a lot of challenges but their commitment is consistent and effective. Both my kids have great teachers, who are smart, hardworking and supportive. I was a bit nervous in the beginning given that the school has had problems in the past, but I have to admit all my worrying was unnecessary. My children are motivated and inspired. We haven't experienced any bullying. Quite the opposite, my kids have been very vocal about how to treat other kids and about the information they have received at school in this regard. I appreciate that my children will grow up in a diverse school with peers from all backgrounds. I believe this will be crucial in their overall education as human beings.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2016

My son was bullied for months. When brought to the principles attention he was apologetic and caring. At one point a teacher told us they knew there was a problem they just did not have the resources. We requested a transfer and apart of that process is an investigation so the moment an investigation the support went out the window and everyone lied to cover their back. Horrible communication, dishonesty and not safe. A very concerned parent
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2015

I love Falk Elementary. The teachers are smart, dedicated, and they love the kids. There is order in the classrooms and the hallways (and the lunchroom!) There is a diverse student body, and students are eager to share their talents and experiences. There is a core of dedicated parents who work hard to make sure that every family has a positive experience with the school. I would highly encourage anyone who lives in the neighborhood who is thinking of sending their kids to school elsewhere to visit the school and see for themselves what a great place Falk is.
Submitted by other on December 08, 2015

They give my daughter a holistic education: socio-emotional and educational. Teachers and staff are supportive and well trained. This is a great school!
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2014

I cannot speak for the higher grades at school. I did hear that they can be rough and intimidating to some of the students. This seems to be dealt with very aggressively by the new school administration--as it should be. This is my kid's second year in the school (kindergarten and now 1st grade). We had no problem whatsoever. Don't get me wrong, there were a few incidents of kids being a bit rough, but those were nothing more than the normal behavior of the 5 and 6 years olds. Every single time something of this sort happened, the staff and administration dealt with it very appropriately. I am not going to write about any specific incidents because that might identify the people involved, but my kid was involved in a bit of a tussle with another one and that was resolved immediately and swiftly. In terms of academic instruction, I am so impressed with the school's staff, especially my kid's first grade teacher. My kid is just flourishing in reading and math--the result of my kid's and his/her teachers' commitment. The school is also providing interventionists not only for kids who are struggling, but also for those who are advanced in order to keep them challenged and engaged.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

The school is a neighborhood school and feels like one. I got to know almost all of my kindergartener's class mates and their parents. I love the community that is developing in and around the school. I also like the highly educated, energetic and activist parents and PTO who are fighting strongly on behalf of the school and its students. Would like to see more parents involvement (especially parents of under achieving children). The school had difficult times, but we already see a huge change, even in one year, both in scores and in community development. We need behavioral interventionists and when we asked the district for additional support in that regard, they obliged immediately.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

I have a kindergarten son in this school. He is going to first great. I love so many things about having him here: neighborhood school, community feel, great teachers, and an active PTO. The only thing the school needs is help with behavior interventions and I heard recently that there will indeed be more help in that regard in the new school year. The new principal seems to be excellent too. My son reads at a second grade level, cannot want more.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

After 5 years at Falk I removed my child for 5th grade. Over those years I watched family after family leave Falk. But we kept our child there because everyone should learn to deal with difficult circumstances. However, the final straw for us was when one student was dared to hit my student in the classroom...and he did. That child was RETURNED to the classroom after less than 10 minutes. MMSD has very clear rules regarding physical assult at school including immediate removal from school grounds. Falk administration does not abide by these standards. The classroom teachers were as frustrated as I was that he was returned to the classroom. The teachers at Falk are absolutely amazing but they were spending easily 80% of class time dealing with conflict and discipline. It made me sad to remove my child from the neighborhood school but it was clear that my child was not safe at Falk. Until the principal starts supporting ALL children in the school it will continue to go downhill.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2013

My daughter is a current third grader (soon to be fourth) at Falk Elementary. The best testament I can give to Falk is that she loves her school and looks forward to going every day. She takes great pride in being a Falk student. We participate in after school and evening programs and are getting to know our neighborhood better. She is challenged academically and has good friends in several different ethnic groups. Sure wish I had that when I was younger. Some others on this site speak of bullying and I will admit that it does exist. However, the principal and teachers have always handled it quickly and appropriately. We have helped our daughter navigate the waters and believe she is learning how to handle the world she is apart of ... I mean we only have to turn on the television to see bullying happening throughout our society, it is not only limited to certain parts of town. Enroll your child, get involved, and help create a stronger community ... you will not be disappointed.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2013

I will admit that I was anxious about sending my child to Falk before starting, because of the negative reputation we hear about. I believe strongly in neighborhood community and I feel as though it teaches a valuable lesson to my children about life. After getting involved and working with the dedicated teachers and staff, I believe in this school and very thankful that we go there. I am a teacher and have taught in a few other schools in the district. Falk is not much different, if at all. It's really a shame that people pull out before giving it a try.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2012

My child has been attending falk for several years. The first 2 years were a horror with constant bullying from other students, as well as a personality conflict between the teacher and my child. Somne of the staff have a lack of passionb for their jobs. Alot has changed since I was in school. The school has no enrichement for the students. The communication lacks big time! To find out your child is being bullied at a parent teacher conference??? Do these people not know how to pick up a phone and call the parents? The bullying is out of control. Schools sing and cheer at rallies on how their school is a bully free! Sure, and Im santa clause.This is how bad things happen....... then are all left wondering, "how did this happen,"" What went wrong". Not all, but many teachers and staff(PRINCIPLES) have gotten lazier and lazier as the years go by.
Submitted by other on October 31, 2012

If you judge a school only on your child's experience, you have a very small sample. I'd suggest if you really want to know how a school operates, volunteer there. Tutor, help out with trips, participate in extra curricular activities. You might find you have a very different opinion of the school when you are involved.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2011

A lot of things changed just recently. Not for the better. Previous reviews are from last year or even older. Those who want to know something about the school should ask other parents. The 'philosophy' of the school management is rather strange. Last year about 10 families decided to put their kids to different schools because of that. Not recommended.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2011

Those parents who didn't have serious issues with their (probably very young) kids can only have good opinions, but when you see later, in 3-5 grades, how problems escalate when kids from different backgrounds bully other kids they will change their mind...My friend had this with her children, I had with mine, too. They don't do anything about it. The most important is that African-American children are 98% of the class. Discrimination? We are in minority here and don't have any privileges/excuses. I'm not talking about all teachers - many wonderful dedicated teachers...They obviously have nothing to say. School's policy, the way it is working has some serious flows.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2010

We have had 2 years of experience at Falk due to a boundary change. We have been utterly impressed with the advanced curriculum, and have no doubt that our daughter is challenged academically. The staff at this school are there because they WANT to be....from the secretary to the nurse to the teachers and librarian. They all seem to have a real interest in each child.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2008

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