Gold Rush Elementary School

12021 South Swift Fox Way

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
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 March 26, 2024

We love this school. The Principal is a strong leader, the teachers are top notch, and our child is thriving.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2024

Great school with amazing teachers that love what they do.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2023

This school is fantastic! I have literally turned down job opportunities because I don't want to leave this area and must remove my kids from this fantastic school. The teachers are great. The principal is great and it's a school that Parker should be very proud of - for those of you reading these reviews, make sure you are taking note of the dates of some of these reviews. A one-star review from ten years ago is not likely to be an exceptionally good reflection of the school itself. My only hang-up with this school is that it is part of the DCSD and I wish it weren't - Douglas county doesn't pay its teachers nearly well enough as it should. And the DCSD school board are political hacks, but that's not specific to this school. It's great!
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2022

We have a Gold Rush graduate and a current student there. The last two years have been quite the ride, and we are so proud of these teachers and admins for keeping everything moving forward. I know it wasn’t easy, and they deserve a huge “Thank You”. This school runs on amazing families and staff - all working together to give these kids an excellent education and shaping them into kind and respectful people.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2018

We have just graduated 5th grade and feel GRE more than effectively prepared our son for middle school. He needed a lot of special attention and we never got the feeling it was a burden; we felt more like they wanted to see him improve as much as we did. My son loves to go back through his work and photos and feels nothing but love when thinking back on his years at GRE. I just can't say enough about our positive experience with the staff and teachers and overall feel of the environment. This is a very special school and Parker is so lucky to have it be part of the community. We will sorely miss seeing you every day!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2018

We are very happy with Gold Rush. Our daughter has consistently gotten any extra help she has needed and we feel the staff genuinely cares about her progress.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2017

This school is the BEST! It feels like one big family. My kids are happy, safe and LOVE going to school every morning! The staff genuinely loves not only what they do everyday, but ALL the kids and walk around the building with bright smiles.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2017

We have been part of Gold Rush for the past 8 years, as all 5 of my children have attended this school. I can't say enough about how wonderful this school is! I have loved the teachers and the administration and have especially been happy with their support for children with learning difficulties. Being a part of this school has felt like more of a personal experience for myself and my children rather than just a number in a sea of students. Jenny Brown is fabulous and takes the time to know her students and their families, and continually asks after older siblings as they have moved on from Gold Rush. We have been so happy here, and would never consider leaving Gold Rush!
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2017

We have been very happy with the progress our kids have made here. It is a wonderful school with a great staff.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2017

My family has had an amazing experience the last 3 years at GRE. We actually had an opportunity to leave GRE for a local/well-known STEM Charter School that we turned down this past year. GRE has made learning fun for my girls & has rallied around to support my oldest to give her additional reading support. Their teachers have been amazing & a true blessing in our lives. The office staff is always ready to great students & visitors with a smile! I know there are a lot of politics that surround schools especially Douglas County School District but GRE strives to provide the best care they can for each & every student that attends. I couldn't be more happier to be part of our local public elementary school!
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2017

I have two children at Gold Rush, starting there when they were both in Pre-K. They are now in 2nd and 5th. I feel lucky that we have found such a caring, family oriented school that my kids love. There are many events and activities that my kids and family can get involved in. Everybody knows your name and makes you feel welcomed. I love the teachers and all the staff at Gold Rush!
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2016

Some teachers are really good. Some really bad. Our son finished 4th Grade without knowing his multiplication tables or fractions, yet every parent teacher conference we were told he was doing great and that there were no problems.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

We've had great teachers who have really helped develop our girl academically and socially. They have instilled a love for school and learning that we are thrilled to see. While the school doesn't of filly have a stem program, I think the school does a good job exposing them to many of the concepts. Overall we have been very happy with Gold Rush and are lucky it is our home school.
Submitted by other on May 14, 2015

I am a student at this school, and where do I start with this school! They have caring and kind staff that guide you through the day. Our principle, Jenny Brown, makes sure all of us kids are safe. We have a state of the art security system that keeps the kids safe. There are really fun activites that the school provides, there are also many fundraisers. I have been going to Gold Rush since kindergarten, and loved it. This school focuses on each student and their many qualities.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

Douglas County Schools are no longer great like they used to be. High teacher turnover. No maintenance being done on the schools. Superintendent and BOE only care about making themselves look "21st century" or "World Class". Teachers that are left do their best. Administration and teachers have no say in your child's education and work in fear of losing their jobs.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

Gold Rush Elementary is a wonderful place for children. I have two children at the school. What I can highlight is the fact that the staff is warm and caring. The teachers are very approachable and care about the whole child. Academics could be stronger and more consistent in each grade level. The new principal, Jenny Brown, is very concerned with bringing in great training for her entire staff. Her other focus this year is getting class sizes down. We are adding 3 teachers to our school. How fantastic! The school offers art club, chess club, choir, running club, band (not on site) and a 'drama club'. We participate in battle of the books, and our local spelling bee. Security is a huge focus at this school. EACH morning there are many teachers standing curbside to greet the children and help them out of cars---including the principal and vice principal. The teachers come out to the playground (where the students remain until the first bell is about to ring) and then the walk in with their classes. Students are rewarded with Golden Tickets for good behavior and TOP DOG awards for striving to meet the school academic and social goals.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2013

This school has done a good job academically, test score wise, teaching my child. They spend a lot of time in that area! To the expense of,the whole child. Most of the kids at the school get only one short recess a day, lunch recess. The school does not seem to do well with the social or emotional growth of children. Planning few "fun" appropriate developmental level activities. Well, a sock hop in which 2nd graders are asking each other to a date for the event. Hmmm. Seems like the parents at this school as well as staff and administration to want kids who behave like adults. If you don't have lots of money or want to pretend to have lots of money watch out. We are asked to throw out money for every event, even crazy hair day and a school play which only includes 50 kids out of 720 whose parents are able to easily pay $200! Hardly something worth touting on the school's website. So, elitist, rich white folks who think they are doing a great service but don't see where they lack. Getting the whole child ready for the future. There is chaos and safety issues upon entering the school each day and in the hallways kids run, guess that's how they make up for no recess!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2013

30+ students to teacher for last three years, don't let the false review by the employee below fool you, I have the class list to prove it. We've been attending since the school opened with numerous promises of Spanish as second language, band, running clubs, two full time kindergarten classes with two aids per teacher, all promises cancelled after signing up for fulltime. Every year a new principal, or new teachers midyear, etc. Complete inconsistencies' in academics between teachers in same grade (parents group comparing curriculum between teachers). When you speak to the administration concerning issues or giving support, you can see the District's Hand speaking for them as they are just puppets. The largest complaint, "no consistency!" Every time the kids set their hearts on something, the school makes a change, or the staff completely changes. It is known that DCSD is non union and several friends that are pursuing their PHD's advise they would never work for DCSD. They advise teachers in DCSD are short term to gather experience, then find union scale pay outside the district. My experience and other parents feel the same. Gold Rush has failed, "F".
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2012

Our kids have been at Gold Rush since it opened. Luckily the school is on a better track with the new principal but it will take a lot to create some much needed change. The principal that opened this school created a climate that made it difficult to make suggestions or voice concerns. Expectations aren't given for what is taught and this is quite evident within grade levels. One teacher in third might teach X facts but another in the same grade doesn't. There is absolutely no consistency in curriculum. My child has literally had a different spelling program for each of the 5 years there with one year having none at all! Where is the philosophy and vision ? You just don't know what your kid will get year to year. The math curriculum has major gaps and when the students enter middle school they are lacking basic skills because the teachers do not supplement with these skills. Their only award, Top Dog, is almost impossible for a student to get. It's either all or nothing. However the middle school recognizes students using a variety of criteria-all A's, A's and B's, etc.., work habits, etc.. Many families have chosen charters and home school over going to Gold Rush!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

This is one of the best schools I've ever had the pleasure of being associated with, as a parent AND employee. I feel I have to address some of the disparaging comments from previous reviewers. About class size, yes, the classes are larger than some schools, HOWEVER, there is a dedicated EA (assistant) in each grade, plus many parent volunteers. The teachers often use the EAs/Volunteers to split the class in half to do group teaching, so instead of one teacher for 22, 28 or even 30 students, it's one to 15, which is a great ratio. The school uses a great budget model, so there have been little to no cuts in specials, EAs, library, technology, and other areas. You won't see many DCSD schools with all these resources still intact. Regarding the principal situation, there were 2 interim principals because no one at this school wanted to 'jump the gun', and hire someone quickly who was perhaps not the best fit for the school. So they took their time and have found a wonderful, experienced principal for next year. If I were to choose again, I would still pick Gold Rush as the best place for my children.