Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School

707 N Smiley St

School District

O Fallon Central Consolidated 90
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for O Fallon Central Consolidated School District 90

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 June 12, 2024

It was great for my children and the principal was great
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2021

Rating this school purely on academics, teachers/staff, and friendliness. I think the academics and teaching are great. The building itself frustrates me and mostly the pick up/drop off situation at that school. It is a total mess! I’m sure it was enough for the school body when the school is built, but now there are a lot more student which means more cars and more drop off/pick up traffic that creates anxiety (for me). Besides that the school is good.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2017

Our two boys attended EK over the last 4 years. We are a military family. I kindly disagree with the statement that there is an unwelcoming attitude towards newcomers. We were welcomed to this area and to EK with open arms. We have been very happy with the teachers and administration. The principal is always out and about and is very approachable. Our teachers are accessible by emails and willing to work with us whenever there is an issue. My oldest recently scored in the 95% for reading and 75% for math nationwide and my youngest scored in the 95% for math and 75% for reading. I attribute a lot of their success to the academics at EK. My 3rd grader has 19 kids in his class. My K son has 23 in his class. I highly recommend this school. When I ask my boys about EK, they both say they love it and they love their teachers.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2016

There are good and bad with this school. The principal, staff and teachers are great and do the best they can with a serious lack of resources. For newcomers the school is 50 years old and not in great shape. The playground is in such bad condition I don't understand how it's deemed safe. The PTO has very little participation from parents. The school has several military children but the school/district offers no support programs for them. There is definitely an unwelcoming attitude towards newcomers/ people that aren't from the area. The main things we are pleased with are the academics and that the kids are given recess everyday. There is definitely a severe lack of funding for this school and while the teachers do their best with what they have its very sad that the school has to operate without adequate funding!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2014

Both of my children attended EK and had a wonderful experience. Grateful for such a warm and outgoing principal. Despite the economic challenges, EK continues to rise above with such an amazing staff and highly experienced teachers. EK does lack PE class and computer lab, however the kids are able to interact with technology in the classroom with assigned Ipads. The music program still remains and they also continue to enjoy the Get Smart with Art program that is ran by volunteers. I didn't wait for teachers and staff to interact with me so it's important to be proactive as a parent. It's a two way street. If you contact the teachers they will respond. The before and after care program staff has been awesome to work with as well.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

We have been impressed with all the staff at EK. We have a 1st grader who also attended K here. Teacher and principal response has been quick and on point with any concerns. Students all seem to know the rules and follow them. Monthly awards for outstanding behavior. I think the principal knows all the children's names! Happy with the academics. Wish there was music, art and PE every day though.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2013

OFallon Dist 90 schools currently face a severe budget crisis. I believe EK to be the best in district 90. But educate yourself on the challenges facing the district. IL state funds for education are drying up and the situation worsens each year. O'Fallon schools are most vulnerable, almost entirely depending on property taxes for revenue. Class sizes are growing with no money for new teachers, so drastic measures were initiated this year to level class sizes across the district. Once a grade level at a school reaches the max enrollment (28-29), the "excess" students are bussed to a different school, with last enrolled being the ones selected for bussing. EK had to bus 5 4th graders out, and accepted in new kindergarteners, AFTER the school year had begun. It's best to call the school and find out if your child is in a grade in danger of bussing. All specials are in danger of going away unless a vote to raise taxes is approved this April. With kids in grades 4, 2, and 1, and 2 years here, I appreciate how the staff works like a team, cares for the children, and still works to achieve excellence in spite of those challenges. I wish they had more financial support.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2011

I have a third grader and a first grader at EK. We came to EK after leaving a private school. We love it. They do an excellent job with gifted kids, providing in-class differentiation in both reading and math. For a modest fee, the school has after-school enrichment programs in most subjects, including art, geography, math, and cooking. (All enrichment classes are taught by EK teachers.) The school has an excellent special needs program, including reading interventions for kids who are falling behind. All of the teachers have been helpful and responsive. Love it! I actually think EK is doing a better job than the private school that I was paying too much for.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2011

My daughter started at EK as a kindergartner and will be going into the 2nd grade this fall. So far, our experience at EK has been very good. The teachers have been outstanding! However, I am disappointed that there isn't more emphasis on physical education, music, and art. The children have PE and music only once a week, and the art program relies on parent volunteers and is only offered to each grade level once a month. The state of IL needs to shoot some tax dollars down to Southern Illinois to fund an art program that happens at least once per week for these kids... or the principal needs to collaborate with one of the local colleges to bring some art students in to volunteer on a weekly basis. Other than that issue, we are very happy with the school.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2011

Interesting back and forth between the reviewers. Frankly in the time we have been at EK, I have not seen an enthusiastic outpouring of support from parents, students OR faculty. EK sits in a middle-to-higher income neighborhood, so socio-economically I would expect the students to do well on state exams. Unfortunately, test scores alone won't tell you how happy your child will be there or how receptive teachers are to parental involvement in the classes or at school. We've known a number of families who moved their children to private schools or moved into other school boundaries and were very happy. Like many schools in this area, EK is increasing class sizes and cutting programs like lunch-time fitness, librarians, gifted programs. Compared to other schools in this area, EK could do more with the less they are given (and in fairness some of the teachers do). I acknowledge that these reviews are painting an entire staff, but there is truth "beyond the hyperbole" in every negative review below. If I were moving here again, I might factor the other elementary schools into consideration.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2011

The previous review was full of hyperbole and misinformation. I have a first and third grader at EK. First, the principal and the teachers at EK are wonderful. Any concerns we have had have been addressed immediately. Second, EK has the highest scores in the district on the 2010 state exams (see test scores and stats) and has the highest rating of 9 by Great Schools. Finally, I am sorry the previous reviewer had a bad experience, but they do not reflect the positive experience that the vast majority of parents and students have at EK. It is a wonderful school with much parental involvement with outstanding teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2011

We are a military family and are not pleased with this school. We heard so many wonderful things about EK, and that is why we chose to live where we do. Unfortunately, all the wonderful things we heard are from the past, and do not accurately represent the current state of the school. Classroom size for our child's grade level averages between 28 and 30. The teachers and prinicpal do not seem to genuinely care for the students as much as they hope others will perceive. Cases of bullying appear to be swept under the carpet, the children seem to be academically behind other local area schools, budget cuts have forced out the librarian, the entire lunch program is faulty with its logistics, PE, music, and computer classes only occur once a week. To make matters worse, the principal doesn't seem to care for the military families that attend his school. His attitude comes across (in my opinion) that we are a burden he has to deal with since we "come and go." If you are a military family PCSing to Scott, please consider living near Moye or look into some of the private school options such as St. Clare.