Cranbury Elementary School

10 Knowalot Lane

School District

Norwalk
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
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 October 11, 2023

WORST SCHOOL EVER my kid is depressed from this terrible school!!!! don't go here!! its a nightmare the kids and teachers are terrible!! and they dont ever care. my kid is autistic and everyone picked on her! please dont go here!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2022

My child is still traumatized from this time there. The tenured kindergarten teacher was probably the worst teacher I have ever experienced. She should not be allowed to be teaching elementary. The sad part is that we heard this from so many people, and when we met with the principal and vice principal multiple times, they basically gave us lip service. When talking to other parents, this was a known fact and could immediately guess who the teacher was without naming names. My child still refers to this teacher as a nightmare. Aside from this teacher, who is only person who had a/c, the pta was pretty involved and nice. Looking back, I realized, I should have never let my child stay in that situation.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2021

Horrible! Teachers and staff are unfriendly and aggressive as well as parents and children. My daughter just entered kindergarten and the experience has been very unwelcoming. Children and parents bully and the principal does not get involved. The principal does and says things that benefit her targeting and picking on my daughter specifically. Not even one month and 4 incidents.
Submitted by other on February 18, 2019

This is a great school and I highly recommend it! Teachers and administrators are all compassionate and work hard for all students. There are many opportunities available for extra-curricular activities. Most parents are very supportive. There are also numerous events throughout the year for children and families, resulting in a positive sense of community.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2018

Teachers genuinely care about our children. Sense of community has improved in the past years
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2018

As a parent of two boys ( one currently enrolled) the other graduated. Cranbury has been a 2nd home to them. Academically, Cranbury has always been the leader of all other Norwalk public elementary schools ( just ask anyone) They have consistently been rated on this site a 8-10. So we dug a little further.....Great Schools has introduced a NEW criteria for ratings. A score is now given basically for how well "disadvantaged" children perform. So "many" schools that were recently ranked as an 8/9 or 10 or now lowered. Our son LOVES this school and we are extremely proud of the education they have/are receiving.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2018

Cranbury has a great PTO that is very involved with hands on parents. That said, the leadership is ineffective and there is not much accountability for the teaching staff. The post in 2013 regarding bullying is still relevant today and not much has been done to bring it under control. There is not much concern about gaining the best from students and learning differences are punished. The school could perform well but new leadership is needed to bring out the best in the staff.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2018

Excellent school. Best public school in Norwalk. Simply put-we highly recommend!
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2016

As a parent of a child attending Cranbury elementary school, I am thankful for all that the school has done for my son. The staff is nurturing and experienced. My son, who once baulked every morning in his prior school experiences, now looks forward to every school day. He loves all of the "specials" (gym, music, library and art) that are part of Cranbury's daily curriculum. The enrichment programs offer him additional time to be with his friends, while learning some valuable life lessons. The online reading and math supplemental programs he accesses at home reinforce what he is learning in school and I attribute to his success, as he is excelling in many subjects. He is friends with children from a diverse array of backgrounds, giving him a more worldly perspective within the settings of this quaint schoolhouse. The new administration (2015/2016) has been fantastic in implementing small improvements. They have put emphasis on teaching and upholding values that promote pride, respect, and tolerance. The active PTO has outfitted many classrooms and the library with state-of-the-art smart boards and brand new playground equipment. The caring environment at Cranbury elementary school is one that will no doubt leave a lasting positive impression on my child. Thank you Cranbury elementary school for creating a special place that invites my child in every day to learn and play. He is developing a love of learning. What else can a parent ask for?!
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2014

I feel fortunate that my children go to Cranbury... not that we have not had a few incidents but that is part of any school experience. What was important was how it was handled and how my children felt with the resolution which was great. The teachers are caring and the school scores have consistently improved over the course of the last 5 years to the point where we have the best scoring in all of Norwalk at any level! The PTO is VERY active and raises a lot of funds that help to fund enrichment programs and family events so that the children not only get exposed to new and exciting learning events but the Cranbury community is brought together at the events to really build a bond. Love the school, and staff! Great school for learning and building character.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2014

We know of a few bad teachers here but so far my daughters have had good academic experience with both Preschool and Second Grade teachers. Unfortunately, what I find annoying in this school are the very snob parents. Moms, with few exceptions, act like "Real Housewives" but are far from afford being ones. Character Education is as important as CMT results and it is too sad to watch the kids believing that a shallow mentality is acceptable.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

As the rating shows, Cranbury Elementary is the best school in all of Norwalk. Thank you to the teachers, staff, and PTO. Keep up the great work!!
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2013

When we moved to CT, we heard good things about Cranbury. I had two children at Cranbury for the worst year of their academic careers. The teachers were poor, the curriculum was well below what they were used to in prior schools in Illinois. In addition, the Principal lectured in long and bizzare morning diatribes. My sons teacher would quietly have the kids go outside to play until these lectures were finished. In addition, the kids are required to say a 'Pledge of Allegiance to Cranbury' every day in the morning and only allowed to say the 'United States Pledge of Allegiance' a couple of times during the year. Even though the school touts Character Counts' program, my children were profoundly bullied. My sons head was pushed in the toilet, he was excluded and isolated daily in a coordinated manner by these bullys. Despite much discussion with teachers and administration, the school was unwilling to address any of these issues. This was a very tramatic part of my son's life, and this is a terrible school. There are few teachers who are excellent, and for those teachers, I truly am grateful. But for the most part, sending your kids to this school is a mistake.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2011

Cranbury is like a small town within the city of Norwalk. Cranbury Elementary has all the benefits of a small town school - caring teachers and principal, active parents and strong community, yet it has all the support and services of a city. We could not be happier!
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2010

CARING STAFF & ACTIVE PTO.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2010

The teachers are wonderful! Such pride in the school and the students. Very active PTO. A new playground is currently being built on the school grounds. We are so lucky to have such an impressive school in our neighborhood.