Redding Elementary School

33 Lonetown Road

School District

Redding
Grade

PK, K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
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 September 23, 2020

Terrible. I taught my child almost everything he needed to know. Other than meeting so nice kids and enjoying recess, I feel the time he spent in the classroom was a complete waste of time. I taught him to read, write, spell, add, substract, multiply, divide, sight words, grammar, all of it. I often wondered “what are you doing all day at school”? I would find out there was very little science and social studies. When he was behind in reading, he got sent out for help and it did little to get him up to speed. I ended up getting him up to speed at home. He had never really been taught proper grammar (I was told by 3rd grade teacher it’s not in the curriculum), so I taught him that too. Teachers were having him log onto a computer program called Reflex for basic math skills. There was very little instruction and then reinforcement. They would teach “mini lessons” then have them work on their own. I don’t know, it just didn’t seem like the time spent at school was spent in a meaningful, educational way. A lot of the things they did was “busy work” and silly projects. So he would come home and I would teach him what he needed to know. After RES, we literally left the whole district and enrolled him into private school. What a difference and what a shame that people move to Redding for the schools, pay high taxes because they think they’re getting a good editor their children, but really aren’t. Save your money and don’t move to Redding if it’s just for the education. You’ll find a better education elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2017

I am very happy to send my son to Redding Elementary school. The teachers and the staff are very friendly and care genuinely. They value learning and play time for my son who is in Pre-k. I appreciate the feedback they provide to keep in communication of what my son is working on and what we need to do as parents to help him. I moved from Westport CT and this has been a smooth transition.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2016

We moved here from Brooklyn in September 2015, and we could not be more pleased with Redding. Our daughter's kindergarten teacher has been warm and caring. The kids here get a lot in terms of enrichment--including Spanish--and the class sizes are small, which allows for individualized education and strong friendships. It is so nice to feel like the teachers at RES actually know and understand our particular child. They understand the value of play in learning, and they provide enough challenge to keep her excited and motivated, without overwhelming her with busy work. We also feel that the community has been very welcoming.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2015

We moved here in 2012, one year before my oldest started Kindergarten. Coming from the Bronx, I knew I wanted smaller class sizes for my children. Not only did we get smaller class sizes, we also got amazing and caring teachers that go above and beyond for the kids. The school staff is warm and welcoming. The principal, Dr. Huber, is actively engaged with the school community. I also appreciate the light homework load in the younger grades and the emphasis on play in Kindergarten. Parents are always welcome in the building and are encouraged to have lunch with the kids in the cafeteria. For working parents, the extended day program goes until 6pm. Staff will bring your children to activities you've registered for (sports, etc) at the rec center, then bring them back to the school after. We have a very active and dedicated PTA, and recently won an Award of Excellence from the National PTA. For more, http://resctpta.orgDisclosure: I am the VP, Communications for the RES PTA.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2015

This is a fabulous school where every child is treated like an individual. My son is now in high school, but he received a great base at RES!
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2015

RES is an amazing school and community. We moved here 3 years ago from the Chicago suburbs. From the beginning we were highly impressed with the focus on individualized education and kindness. The academics are great, but the attitude and support in educating the whole child is beyond amazing. We are so glad that we moved to Redding and thrilled that our 3 daughters get to attend Redding Elementary. We love this community!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

Coming from Stamford schools, we found RES (Redding Elementary School) to be terrible. This starts from the obnoxious notes written in imperative terms to the fact that in spite of kjnowing their legal obligations towards children with special needs, they move at their pace and don't seem to care about the legal requirements. Theyt also have a nurse on staff that loves to call DCF for baseless claims when a child has as much as a quarter inch scratch from playing with his sister (and they did this multiple times). Imagine when my child came home with rope burns around his neck when left with two other children unsupervised in the gym... We will be moving, this is a terrible school system and the Superintendent is a real piece of work whom endorses this type of conduct. Scores mean nothing when the experience as a whole is so terrible.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2013

My daughter has diagnosed learning disabilities and I could not be happier with the support she is provided! I feel the staff genuinely cares about her and will do whatever it takes to help her achieve her best! My other daughter is a high academic achiever and has been continually challenged through gifted and enrichment classes! I can honestly say the very different needs of both my children have exceeded my expectations. In addition, the extra curricular music program which begins in 3 rd grade is far superior than many of our neighboring communities!
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2012

Although Redding Elementary has high ratings, we have found two issues since moving here this year: 1. There are no accesible after school programs. Nearly all surrounding towns (Bethel, Brookield, Danbury, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton) offer an after school program through their YMCA or rec center. In Redding the after school enrollment is very limited and it appears that very few spaces come open each year. We were not able to get in the program. There are no other childcare options in this town for school age kids. The rec center does offer one hour classes and sports programs after school, but the schedule caters to either stay at home parents or nannies, not working parents. I wish we had known before we moved here. 2. This is the first year we have run into a teacher that my son does not thrive under. She doesn't seem to have patience for the age appropriate behaviors of the kids in her class. It has definitely curbed his enthusiasm for learning, so I am working at home to keep his curiosity alive. We are hoping for better next year and have really come to appreciate his prior teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

RES is absolutely one of the best elementary schools in CT, if not in the country!! The teachers and administrators constantly strive to make our children's education a fun, enlightening and well-rounded experience every day. They work closely with parents and the PTA to ensure consistency both in and out of school, and my children are always so happy to see the teacher's involved in after-school events and PTA activities like ArtFest and Big Science. The school system is the reason why we chose Redding, and we couldn't be happier!
Submitted by other on June 05, 2011

This school is extremely wonderful in every way except for the Art department. The Art teachers are incredibly weak and at odds with each other. There is not even an Art show. This awesome staff deserves better. You will need to supplement with outside classes if your child is gifted in Art.