Somerset Elementary School

1355 Dodd Road

School District

West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan
Grade

PK, K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan 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 March 08, 2023

We moved from another district to attend this school, and it was well worth it. Our child is thriving in kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher is fantastic and provides weekly updates about classroom activities. The school curriculum is centered on kindness and emotional health, which in turn creates a stable, supportive, environment for children to learn. The class size is small, so all the kids get enough individualized attention. The kids are reading, writing, and even creating their own stories! A counselor gives regular lessons on feelings, eg “what is empathy”. There are many other supportive services for specific student needs. (For example, one mom shared with me that she is very pleased with the many services her kid receives to address autism.). The students get lots of time outside to enjoy the beautiful wooded playground. My child’s classroom is small but diverse—economically, linguistically, and racially. We have received lots of support from other families who have been in the district a while and know how things operate. I have found all staff, most notably the principal and our child’s classroom teacher, to be extremely responsive. They answer all of my questions quickly and thoroughly. The school uses a restorative Justice model to address misbehavior—although it is rarely needed. Most importantly, our child is happy and secure. She wants to go to school every day. She comes home excited to share what she has learned. She is truly thriving, and we are so grateful to all the staff at Somerset.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2023

Both my kids were bullied at this school constantly. And nothing was done about it, which has remained with them ever since. I gave it one star because you can’t give less.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2021

We have been extremely pleased with the environment of Somerset. Communication from the school is pretty good and individual teachers write families emails weekly to discuss what was learned in a given week. I feel comfortable and confident sending my kids here knowing they will be nurtured and the environment is friendly and welcoming. Principal is responsive and humble while being knowledgeable about what is happening at the school. There is no homework yet (daughter in 1st grade). I give 4/5 stars because my kiddo is doing very well but is not always challenged to her full potential.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2018

We are very happy with this school. We open enrolled to come into this school and are very happy with that decision. This is our daughter's 3 year at Somerset. Very involved community, staff, and parents.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2017

We had such a bad experience and found principal Joni H to be dishonest and frankly frightening. She did not return calls and emails and was not supportive of advanced/gifted programming. Her poor leadership tricked down to support staff (rude secretary) and many teachers. I would have rated this school very high several years ago. This school has truly gone downhill.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2016

Our experience at Somerset left us sad. The school has some good teachers, but not many. Overall, the academic standards were noticeably lower each year. The principal was primarily focused on fundraising and social events.
Submitted by other on November 23, 2016

Somerset is absolutely a stand out in a state with already wonderful schools. Principal Hagebock is lovely and professional, and puts her students above all else. The programs are amazing and the teachers are at the top of their profession. LOVE Somerset!!!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2016

As a parent of three children that have all attended Somerset, I have personally experienced the three principals that the other reviewers have talked about. Yes, Mary Bowman was great, however, she retired. A replacement principal was chosen and I agree, she did not work out. However, she had big shoes to fill with the amount of very demanding parents at this school that all want the best for their children. The district made a decision to move Joni Hagebock from Friendly Hills (our older daughters' school) to Somerset. Joni is the only principal to this day to to stand outside EVERY morning directing children at the cross walk. She figured out a way to make the parking lot MUCH safer. She has always responded to my emails and when she was principal at FH, she sat down with me personally when I had questions. Somerset is still a wonderful school and we are very happy. Our daughter has learned so much and she is very happy as well. Still the best school in the area!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2016

Our experience at the school was extremely negative, especially with the school principal. We regret trusting the school's old good reputation without talking to more parents. There are a few good teachers at Somerset, but we found the principal to be unreliable, unprofessional, and unresponsive to parents' concerns. When we talked to other parents, we learned that this is the principal's usual pattern of behavior. In addition, the third grade teacher we had this year rarely communicated with parents and had low standards for teaching language and math. We feel that they both don't care much about kids as human beings, which is utterly unacceptable! We chose to leave the school.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2016

I agree with the 2 star rating the parent on 5/15/15 gave. The teaching staff at Somerset is absolutely amazing. I cannot praise them enough. Our kids have had great teachers every single year. In addition, the art, music, Spanish, gym and other teachers are also fantastic.The reason for this 2 star rating is similar to the previous parent's review I noted above. The principal is dishonest and not in touch with parents. She indeed does not return phone calls or emails. The students do not like her, and having met and interacted with her, I can understand their feelings. This principal is arrogant, unkind, unapproachable, and childish. This is incredibly unfortunate, because the teachers at this school are absolutely fantastic. Three years ago, I would've and did recommend this school to the parents of prospective students. However, I would recommend that parents of prospective students visit Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Moreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet School, and Mendota Elementary School in addition to Somerset. This school has greatly declined in the last 2 years. It was a top school and I considered myself very lucky to enroll my kids at Somerset. If you can overlook the principal's ineptitude in favor of the amazing teaching staff, you should consider Somerset Elementary School.
Submitted by other on September 08, 2015

Amazing teachers! Out of all of district 197 elementary schools we visited, Somerset stands out! It is harder to get into, if you are not already in the zone, but it is definitely worth looking into. The school has a very quaint feel, the students are cheerful, teachers are friendly, and we've been loving the Spanish and reading program quality.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

We have great teachers, and support staff. Annual readathon is a great fundraiser that gets all the kids involved in raising money for the school and we get the best reward for it our kids read like crazy. We include the great outdoors in our education which I love. The gym teacher helps the kids understand that we move our body for fun and health. The music teacher and her after school choir are wonderful. I couldn't be happier with my school. New principal this year as our retired. We will miss our beloved Mrs. Bowman greatly she knew each and every student by name even the first day of school.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2011

We have two daughters at Somerset. Somerset is a wonderful school with wonderful teachers and a wonderful principal. Every time I see Mrs. Bowman she is happy and cheerful and such a positive person. It is easy to see that she truly loves her job and the children. The test scores just prove how great the staff is doing. It is also nice to see so many parents volunteering and caring.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2011

I've been an elementary school teacher for 19 years and have had many opportunities to work in schools both here and abroad. We are so grateful that our daughter is able to attend Somerset Elementary. We are constantly in awe of the attention, care, and high expectations of all the teachers and staff. The students, in turn, achieve highly in this kind of nurturing and supportive environment. Thank you, Somerset!
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2011

I will have 3 kids at Somerset in the 2011-2012 school year. We are so pleased with the close community feeling, the fantastic teachers, the awesome principal, the many opportunities for academic, musical, and physical fitness growth for our children, and the personal care each member of the staff gives to our children. Thank you Somerset!