Conn Elementary

1220 Brookside Drive

School District

Wake County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Wake County 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 29, 2023

Conn practices tracking at a very young age, putting kids with higher tests scores (who are predominantly upper class and white) in more challenging classes, which reinforces racial and class inequality. It's a common yet extremely disturbing practice, and it needs to stop.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2019

An amazing school with a ton of diversity, a huge focus on equity, and people who genuinely care about the development of children. Proud Conn Cougars over here!!
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2018

We moved into the neighborhood largely to attend Conn, and have been more and more impressed by the school’s commitment to intellectual development, diversity, and strong parental involvement. When we first started at Conn, it had a “science and technology” focus as a magnet school, more colloquially known as STEM. And yet during our tour and in our years since, we kept noticing the excellence of its arts programs. Our kids return home excited about math as well as thrilled by their arts, music, and drama focus areas. Conn’s transition to “entrepreneurial design”—its current magnet theme—makes sense of its integrated excellence in an entirely new way. Now all disciplines participate in the creative approach to solving problems, imagining alternative possibilities, and inviting new voices into the conversation. These emphases have been fully carried out by Conn’s staff, which the PTA works hard to support.Conn provides students with a complete curricular experience, and enhances that experience by challenging them to get involved. For example, we have loved watching our kids tackle “Big Idea Week,” in which students pitch everything from quirky personal technologies to ambitious environmental solutions. Conn invites well-known authors and organizes student field trips to further help students realize how ideas take shape in the world. These events are complimented by the hands-on learning that happens in classes every day. Conn’s teachers make sure that parents know about their children’s trajectories and what’s expected of them to excel. And Conn also supports additional opportunities should families want to pursue even more active learning.The school also has committed to diversity and inclusiveness, helping all kids—whatever their background or income—take advantage of its unique opportunities. You see that commitment every day at school: when the principal and vice principal greet students at carpool, when library staff helps kids in the media center, when teachers show up to PTA happenings like our recent “Math Night” or “Walk to School Day” events and engage with families outside of working hours. It's a great community. We are proud Conn Cougars.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2018

my child has been bullied from day one the teacher has done nothing about it even though I've called her several times. The teachers aren't able to teach because the kids don't listen. My kids want to learn and they used to love school but now they hate it. I've noticed a huge difference in their attitudes since they started at Conn this year. I was in the school picking up my kids and a class of kindergarteners were coming down the stairs and their teacher was yelling at them almost the entire time. I was seeing what every parent would expect out of this age group. They were in a single file line and they were talking but not being loud. She was flat out yelling at them and being mean. My kids have said that their teachers yell a lot and it's because the kids are listening. Kids not listening is the parents fault and the teachers need to communicate with those parents. The kids that want to learn shouldn't be punished because of the kids who don't listen.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2018

Horrible! My student hates going to school and after this year he will be homeschooled and then enroll in a Private HS.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2018

My son has attended Conn for the last 4 years and I can not say enough about this school. The staff, faculty and students combined make this school a fantastic choice for families. Do not let the test scores detour you. We have attended 8 and above elementary schools before we found this gem and I would couldn't be happier. The teachers care! My son loves his elective choices and has great educational experiences with his teachers. I am happy to have recruited several families to this school. The only issue I will say is a "work in progress" is the carpool. That is not a Conn issue - it's merely a family or two who consistently drop their kids off near the school instead of following the carpool rules. Take a tour and come to Conn - if you agree about the fantastic experiences diversity provides - you should come. If you prefer a more homogeneous environment - this wouldn't be the school for you.
Submitted by other on June 30, 2017

5 - Conn Magnet is one of a kind! This may be WCPSS best kept secret. Their magnet theme has evolved to support student interests and stay on top of innovation in education. Entrepreneurial Design is so exciting for our kids! They have loved having Flex Time to explore their interests, visiting The Hive (school makerspace), learning from professionals, and especially the Focus Areas - how many schools have dance drama and robotics! This has been such an exciting experience for us, and we cannot wait for the next 5 years! Conn is even going to be renovated in the next couple years.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2017

Hello parents,I am very happy my kids are in Conn Magnet.The teaches are awesome,they are very helpful to them. My kids enjoy going to school daily because of them,and I have seen drastic improvement in them.I am thankful to Conn Magnet school
Submitted by other on September 01, 2016

We have two children that attended Conn. One is now in middle school and the other in 3rd grade. Conn has allowed my children opportunities to learn outside of just the prescribed curriculum. The integration of art, dance, drama, music, and entrepreneurial design has given them a more diverse learning experience.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2016

Conn has been a super fit for my kindergartner and second grader (both boys). I love that while the school is STEM-oriented, they also offer focus areas in art, music, dance (they have a dance studio!), Spanish, drama, and PE. The teachers and staff go out of their way to offer enrichment. STEM night, with students and faculty from NC State is amazing. Literacy night, author visits, arts excursions, and an end-of-year CONNival are also highlights. The Junior Explorers program gives kids a chance to be challenged in the early grades before AIG testing. And, as another reviewer said, the students and staff reflect the diversity of our community. It's a wonderful environment for both academic and social-emotional development. We are a base family and are so glad we decided to stick with Conn!
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2015

Conn Elementary is a wonderful school! The teachers, administration and staff are exceptional. They challenge my children and provide them with a very nurturing classroom environment. I love that my kids go to a school where the diversity of the community is represented in the classroom. I appreciate that my kids have access to the Arts - drama, music, dance, art, etc etc! The teachers amaze us with their ability to work with many children at different levels of academic ability and keep them all challenged and thriving! We love the school, the community and the staff.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2015

We have had a great experience at Conn! Both my 3rd grader and Kindergartner love this school. They have had great teachers who challenge and inspire them. The specials teachers, support staff and media specialists are wonderful as well. They love the full arts programs and the active learning component makes learning fun. Conn also has a great community we are happy to be a part of.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2015

We have been very happy with our experience at Conn. My son is in 4th grade and we are a magnet family - we chose Conn for its active learning and technology themes. Conn is now a 1 to 1 technology school - students have daily access to iPads. I have found the learning engaging for my son. The teachers and administrators care and are invested in the students. We have found a community here, and we will be sad to leave after my son graduates next year!
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2015

Conn has moved to a 1:1 technology school and creating opportunities for the students to use that technology with corporations enhancing coding skills and STEM curriculum. The project-based theme keeps my son interested in learning new concepts while researching his interests. Our teachers have been good through third grade, but communication could be improved. As a PTA parent, the parent support network is great for both base and magnet families.
Submitted by other on June 03, 2014

one of the best elementary school in raleigh is conn elementary school. conn is a good school.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

Free & Reduced Rate is VERY high. English as a second language is high as well.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2013

I have to totally disagree with the previous post about the admin staff at Conn. The new principal has been a freshing scent of fresh air that this school has needed for a LONG time. There has been very positive changes at the school from new structures with communications, teacher and parent accountablilty, and most of all an INSTRUCTIONAL leader who cares about raising the bar for all at the school. It saddens me that someone will take the time to bash a person who is very positive, willing to listen, knows the kids, supports his teachers, and most of all accessible to parents. I remember very clearly with the previous principal never being able to access her or bring any new ideas to the table. We ALL know that this is happening now. We as parents need to focus on what is going right for a change and be thankful that we have a principal who cares about our kids and wants to do things right. I have also spoken to staff and they love all the changes, they feel supported now more than ever, and love coming to work each day and their unity shows. Again we have to trust in our leaders that the changes in place whether its programs or staff are in the best interest of the children.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

This school offers a lot of great programs and classes for the children such as tap dancing, keyboarding and spanish classes. The class size is relatively small (20-25 students/teacher). However following the change in administration I have to admit that I am less than thrilled with the school. A number of well known and liked teachers were transferred or requested transfers out of the school. The staff has verbalized their unhappiness with the administration to parents. Teachers have been seen yelling at children to the point that parents stop, look and cringe. Some teachers and administrators even talk to the parents in a disrespectful and child-like manner. From Kindergarten to second grade I had no major complaints but now I am looking to transfer my son out of the school. I am sure MANY will disagree with my review however I am imply stating what I have heard and seen with my own ears and two eyes.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2011

Conn has been a fantastic school in meeting the needs of my two very different children. It feels like a much smaller school than it really is - the principal and staff know every child by name, and there is strong support from families and the surrounding community. The teachers are enthusiastic, effective and very responsive. Children learn respect and responsibility, and school pride is evident everywhere you go. I love the ways in which upper grade students mentor children in lower grades. Academics are challenging, and children can start working with the AG teacher as early as kindergarten. My children find the "active learning" modules to be very engaging, and it eliminates my concerns about teaching for test scores. The performing arts and PE programs are amazing; however, visual art is disappointing, particularly for a magnet school. (And parents here care very much about that.) All in all, though, Conn is a gem, and I very enthusiastically support it. The teachers, administrators and staff genuinely care about students' academic and social development, and we don't think we'd find a better environment for our children.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2011

Why this school is rated 3 out of 10, I have NO idea. I absolutely LOVE this school. My kids LOVE this school! The teachers and staff are phenomenal. They truly take interest in the kids and are very interactive. I absolutely adore the principal, assistant principal, custodians, everyone. I have never been so delighted by an elementary school. A variety of learning styles are supported and each child may learn differently, but they find each child's learning style and build upon it. I could go on and on for days about this school. Lots of parental involvement. I have yet to find one negative thing about this school. Onsite beforecare and aftercare programs are very organized. Drama, dance, gymnastics, tap dancing, you name it. They have a variety of programs for the children. I have no concerns about safety, disciplinary issues, etc.