Community Park Elementary School

372 WITHERSPOON STREET

School District

Princeton Public
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Princeton Public 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 January 19, 2024

I have 2 kids at CP. Academically, both are doing very well for their age group. I can see this based on how they recently performed in a Kumon assessment, which is not tied to a particular school system or program. The CP curriculum is a dual English/Spanish language program with Math taught in Spanish. I was very happy to see how well they placed in the Kumon math assessment considering it was in English, but they are learning math in Spanish. I love that the CP academic program and teachers prepare students so well academically while also giving them the gift of an additional language and all of the exposure that brings. I am very, very pleased with CP.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2024

CP is a wonderful school community! The culture is welcoming and the dual language immersion program prepares graduates to thrive in our multicultural world.CP teachers are exceptionally skilled and deeply dedicated to bilingual and bicultural education. They closely collaborate with their partner teachers to ensure that their students master topics in both English and Spanish. As a result, CP students gain incredible fluency in a second language (or third, since many speak another language at home) and develop an abiding interest in other cultures. Kinder students write poems, third graders give presentations on Mexican art, and fifth graders complete projects on area and volume—all in Spanish. The specials (art, PE, music, STEAM lab, library, health, and guidance) and instrumental music classes are also fantastic. CP students may start instrumental music instruction in third grade, and fourth and fifth graders can take part in free Music Afterschool enrichment classes at the high school.CP’s PTO is active and inclusive; parent volunteers include moms and dads, working and at-home parents, and parents who are new to the U.S. Fundraising events are inclusively priced and proceeds fund artist residencies for each grade, teacher supplies, school-wide projects, enrichment, staff recognition, and ‘extras’ for free- and reduced-lunch students. The PTO organizes a day-long STEAM Expo, an international cultural show, After School Clubs, a book fair, the science fair, and community-building events like picnics, play dates, and parent coffees. Located in the heart of town, CP has a culture of walking to school and staying after to play on the playground. Each Friday, families from near and far gather to bike to school together as a bicibús (bike bus)—and then often stay for smoothies made with a dad’s bicycle blender.My CP graduate is thriving in the Middle School, which offers advanced Spanish and Spanish-language social studies for DLI students (most of whom are CP alumni). The transition from Spanish math and science in elementary school to English math and science in the Middle School was a nonissue, and CP prepared my child to fluently discuss social studies topics in Spanish.I told my CP student and graduate that I was writing this review and they enthusiastically yelled, “Five stars!” I agree.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2024

Amazing school, teachers and staff. Academics are strong, the school and its PTO promote and nurture an inclusive community with a diverse group of children and families. The English-Spanish dual language immersion program is a wonderful and enriching experience for my child where she can acquire strong academic and life skills. Would strongly recommend Community Park Elementary School to all parents.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2023

The DLI program is amazing! Our child learned how to read and write in both Spanish and English in kindergarten. The amount of Spanish she has learned has exceeded my expectations and she absolutely loves learning another language. The school community is welcoming, friendly and supportive. The teachers are amazing - they make learning fun.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2018

The DLI program has a transformative impact on students.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2018

We find the teachers, principal and staff really involved and concerned for the kids development
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2017

We moved to Princeton so our daughter can attend this school within the Princeton School District. She is part of the DLI program and we couldn't be happier with her progress. The teachers and staff are all so very supportive. She is way ahead of where she should be and we are looking forward for the years ahead.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2016

We were quite disappointed with Community Park. One of our son's kindergarten classmates was quite uncontrolled and sent him to the nurse after punching him repeatedly at lunch. This incident was followed up with others, including a chokehold while being pushed down the slide and one where he was dragged around the playground. The school was unable to change this situation, with one of the incidents happening the very afternoon after we'd had meetings with his teacher and the school counselor. We were directly told that our son, "needed to stand up for himself more," and that the school, "had no disciplinary policy." We ultimately transferred him midyear to the Wilberforce School, which has been superb.We had other less serious disappointments in the school. The library sent home books that were often not even aimed at the right age. At scholastic day, after encouraging us to send money with our son to buy books, he was sold direct commercial advertising for ninjago (compete with figurine) and dc comics. The classroom experience that seemed most prominent to him was the time spent playing an iPad game with the refrain, "I am a kitty cat, meow." We thought well of his teacher but had evidence that the school lacked a coherent educational philosophy and certainly was unable to deal with violent incidents at lunch and on the playground.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2015

CP is not just where we send our children, it is also our village where parents help other parents and families help families. This year's PTO will be the best one yet, and the new logo is terrific as it shows that CP is diverse and embracing the international students in its halls. The new language immersion program is sure to enrich our children even more. We could not be more proud to be CP parents, and I'm happy that the School Board has finally taken care of the teacher salary and benefits dispute. Now, please pay attention to the benefits dispute for food service workers and the needs of vegetarian children. The second best school district in NJ can do better with its food service.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2014

My kids could not be happier at this school. We moved to Princeton for the schools. My husband and I are beyond pleased with what our kids are getting from their Community Park experience.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2014

Great teachers, great principal, great PTO! I only have two comments. First, it would be nice if parents were allowed to go on field trips more often. Second, some of the lunch aides have a reputation for being a little nasty to the kids which doesn't make sense to me because if you don't like kids then why would you get a job working with them? Other than those two comments, everything is great!
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2012

CP is a WONDERFUL school! We joined CP last year and I only have positive things to say. The new pricipal is delightful and always engaged with the students as well as the parents. The class sizes are the smallest out of all the Princeton elementary schools and the teachers are very hands on and willing to work with both the students and parents. I have found all the parents to be very welcoming and have really found it to be a great school filled with wonderful Children, parents and Staff.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2011

This school needs new leadership. The principal hides under her desk. While there are some fine teachers in the school, there are some clunkers too. The quality of instruction varies from classroom to classroom in the same grade. My son's third grade teacher never corrected homework but put a big star on every assignment. She was absent over 25 times during the year. She was also hostile and impatient to students. In fifth grade, one teacher prepares her students with a sixth grade math text and challenges her students. Parents beg to get their child in this classroom. My son's fifth grade teacher barely taught math. She gave third grade multiplication drills in a fifth grade class. Why isn't there a standard expectation of what material is delivered and what pace it is delivered? The principal of this school does not deal with feedback well. She tells you "Gee, this is the first time I am hearing of this." when you know you have spoken with dozens of parents who have had the same complaint. The superintendents office does nothing but deny. They try to exhaust you until you give up. Parent input is discouraged in this district.