Arthur Circle Elementary School

261 Arthur Avenue

Shreveport, LA 71105

17 Reviews

School District

Caddo Parish
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 31, 2020

It truly has not been a good experience for my daughter nor me as a parent. My daughter has a disability. Some of the staff don't know how to talk to children or other adults with respect. I was trying to wait but things are getting worse so I want to remove my daughter so she can start over in a different environment
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2016

I have a daughter at Arthur Circle. She was formerly in a magnet school, but left the state for one semester then came back and was ineligible for magnet because she left, so we had no alternative but this neighborhood school. The principal and staff are friendly and truly care and are visible. The teachers try very hard and are dedicated, at least in my daughter's grade (4th). I think there are some behavior problems, but there is strong discipline and leadership with this principal. I do not think the teachers challenge my daughter enough, probably because most of the students are "average" and they have to teach to the average. I've been very surprised by how little homework she gets compared to when she was in magnet school. She coasts by with little effort & is not working at her true potential. The shock to me is the lack of parental involvement- awards ceremonies & the few academic events the school does (like a reading night), participation & attendance by parents was below average to poor, except for the free food breakfast with the kids (i. e. donuts for dads). This school will never climb out of the doldrums unless there is more parental involvement. It's not all shouldered on the teachers & administrators.I think the mass exodus of the best students for local magnet schools (many gifted students successfully test into magnet & leave before 5th grade) has dragged down the school's standardized test scores over the last 10 years. There is no clear path for the school to overcome this, since most of the better student eventually leave for one of the magnets. Magnets have hurt this school's once very high rating. The school increasingly "teaches more to the test" to try to bring up the scores, but the recent scores suggest they continue to decline. This once "A" school has dropped to C then D & now has an "F". These problems are complex & hard to fix. School is in great neighborhood, but also pulls kids from poorer areas.Get your child into one of the magnets- I've had my child in both magnet & now this school. The quality, the parental involvement, & the dedication to challenging the kids are all extraordinary at magnet. AC Steere, Riverside, University Elem. schools are good alternatives if your child does not get into magnet, but you must live in those districts (schools' boundaries are on-line).-- a parent
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2015

This school is making a comeback, no doubt about it. Teachers are dedicated, accessible, and friendly. My kids love the Secret Celebrations that occur every week for good behavior. Administration returns calls and seems very fair. Not a huge enrollment- but that's fine. I just wish there were smaller class sizes. But I know there is not much that can be done about that at the school level- that's more of a CPSB thing. My family supports Arthur Circle! GO COUGARS
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2014

Everyone at Arthur Circle goes out of there way to help kids it is number one to my kids and I.I wish that they got a donation for a gym that is the only thing i can say GO COUGAR!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

My son has been in Arthur Circle from Pre-K to 1st grade and we have loved it! Ms. Crank in Pre-K is an Amazing Teacher, one of the Best. The Principle is always available, very supportive of the kids, and seen at every event. We have had no major issues, and I would not consider another school for my child. We are very happy there, and he is super excited to start school. When a child cant wait to go back to their school, you know you've picked the right one. :)
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

Okay, we have a principal. Administrators: Please consider some steps that will help our school: 1. Have some extracurricular activities! I know the focus on learning is important, but activities can improve morale and increase families' investment in and support of the the school. Not all kids can make straight A's; let them celebrate other accomplishments! I can't believe that there's no one in the entire school willing to help with some type of activity; maybe someone would, if he/she had support from administrators and parents. If we can't have extracurriculars, at the very least, promote the activities in the community so that the kids at our school could participate together- SPAR, CABOSA, YMCA, Querbes Tennis, Scouts- talk to folks at other neighborhood schools in our area for ideas,or get on their websites! 2. Update and USE the website. This is 2013; let's make it functional and informative! 3. Invite us in on an oingoing basis, beyond the intiial paper that comes home the first week of school asking for room mothers, etc. I don't have much in the way of time or talent, but I'd be glad to help do something, if I felt that my participation was needed and wanted.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2013

The parents are eager to see who the next principal/leader will be. We are eager to get started working at Arthur Circle but there is no direction. The parents have not been contacted or asked about their input on the new leadership. We all are praying for a strong dedicated leader.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2013

AC was once a high performing neighborhood school. The current leadership has been poor at best. The parents want a new entire administrative team. Parents are eager to work but we don't feel welcome now. It takes parents to move the school in a positive direction. I am pleading to the Caddo School Board to bring in new leadership since the former principal has retired. We want to claim our wonderful school back so we can fully support our teachers. Please post comments and may be Caddo will listen to our plea and cries for help.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2011

We have been at Arthur Circle since the 2003-2004 school year. With one glaring exception (all schools have those), my children's teachers have been at least acceptable to good, and several have been outstanding. Positive trends that I have observed: 1. The current principal is more approachable and visible around the school compared to the former principal; 2. Improved technology thanks to the PTA's efforts. Negative trends: 1. Decline of extracurriculars. For example, running club is no more. After the former coordinators took a well-earned break, it appears that no other faculty/staff would take it on. 4H? gone. Cheerleading: Do-it-yourself. School "teams" through local sports organizations? Can't get them to even distribute information. 2. Standarized test scores are the very highest priority; I can't even name a close second. 3. Fewer hands-on learning activities overall, especially in science (probably related to #2). 4. Increase in pot-stirring, griping parents (does not apply to all you wonderful ones), or maybe I'm just getting older and less tolerant.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2011

Not a good School. I have two kids that were "A" students befor they came to Auther Circle. The Teachers Do Not Care about their Students learnings and Progress! My kids are very detached from their teachers & school. Vey disappointed...
Submitted by other on April 18, 2011

This school has lost too much since the creation of magnets which caused busing of too many out-of-neighborhood children. The test scores and scores on all levels have gone down considerably because of this action. Do not even know the legality of such a move that lowes a first class school to such a level no one would want to send their child there unless they had to. Also devaluates the surrounding homes in the neighborhood because of the quality of schooling.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2011

It is very sad that the prinicipal let's the lunch lady run over him like that. I feel like if we had a good principal who would stand up to her and her cronies that this would be a better school. I wish I had a choice of another school, I complained last year and the office people have been mean to me ever since. My son is in tutoring because the teacher's won't help him learn, they just teach for the leap test.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2011

This school is in its fourth year of declining test score numbers. The school administration is lackluster at best.The school has been on the decline for various reasons, primarily the lack of strong leadership on the part of the principal and the instructional coordinators. Parental involvement is at an all-time low due to the staff's ineffectual attitude. There are a few standout teachers in the school, but the prevalence of the aforementioned 'middle-school cliques' prevents them from making headway. The lunchroom monitor carouses about as if she is the vice principal. Our 4th and 3rd graders will not attend this school next year; we are moving OUT of this school attendance zone, so poor is the performance of this school. Follow the other posters' advice: buy a home within Riverside, University, or AC Steere district boundaries if you want a halfway decent education for your children and are concerned for their safety and upbringing.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2011

Arthur Circle is quickly becoming a no-way-is-my-kid-going-there school among Shreveporters. If you are new to the area buy a house in AC Steer or Riverside, the only two non-magnet Shreveport public schools that are decent. Principal is too weak to properly reign in the insane cliches. Teachers and staff behave as if they were middle school girls, gossiping and talking behind parents back. There are some decent teachers, but there are also some horrible ones, don't take your chance, just go somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2011

Avoid Arthur Circle if possible. The quality has declined. Teachers and administrators are unresponsive to parent concerns.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2010

I have had two children attend Arthur Circle and I think the teachers are wonderful and caring, especially the lower elementary teachers. I just wish they had more playground equipment.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2010

We have a son who is about to finish his first year at A.C.. We moved from out of state and have appreciated the efforts that teachers and staff have made to make our son feel welcome. The teachers are warm and supportive, and it provides the encouraging learning atmosphere that all elementary kids need. We give this school two thumbs up for learning culture, quality of teaching, and overall experience provided to our son.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

I am the parent of a 3rd grader, and we recently moved to Shreveport to get away from the Bossier school system. Our welcoming into Arthur Circle has been warm and caring, and we transitioned seamlessly.